The Learning Bubble

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Knowledge base

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about TLB installation, set-up queries and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is TLB?
2. How does TLB work?
3. How secure is TLB?
4. What do I need to run TLB?
5. The software is telling me that I cannot install on a domain. What do I do?
6. Help, I’ve forgotten my secret TLB password
7. What if my children need to use the internet for their homework?
8. What is the “Administrator” account?
9. What is a Windows Account?
10. How do I show or hide the “Administrator” account at the login screen?
11. Can children change their settings once The Learning Bubble is installed?
12. What is a White-List?
13. Exiting from the Learning Bubble using the password changed my child’s time settings for today…why?

1. What exactly is TLB?

   The Learning Bubble is a computer program that gives you control of many aspects of the computer and internet that might otherwise distract young children during study periods while working at home. TLB prevents access to chat rooms, games, social networking sites, music and other undesirable sites during pre specified times and halts email and instant messenger traffic. The ‘learning periods’ are set by the parent and is password protected. In addition TLB protects children from many of the dangers of the internet 24 hours a day.

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2. How does TLB work?

   The parent sets the time when each child can use the computer. In addition the parent also specifies the time when the computer is set for Learning. Whilst the computer is in ‘Learning’ mode, only the programs that the parent allows can be used. All others are shut-off and inaccessible until Learning is completed.

   All child user activity is recorded so you can also see at a glance how long each child is spending on the computer, what they do and where they go.

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3. How secure is TLB?

   When the program is installed the parent enters a secret password for accessing all configuration screens. TLB also make use of Window’s own security functions to make sure that children cannot bypass the software.

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4. What do I need to run TLB?

   TLB runs on Windows XP and Vista and will work on Windows 7 after its release.

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5. The software is telling me that I cannot install on a domain. What do I do?

   The computer you are using is on a network. TLB is for home use only and can only find users created on your computer. Continuing with installation may mean that some users won’t show up in TLB Options and it is advised that you do not continue with installation.

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6. Help, I’ve forgotten my secret TLB password

   You can have your password sent to your email address. Open the options and when asked to enter your password, click the “Forgotten your Password?” link and follow the instructions.

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7. What if my children need to use the internet for their homework?

   No problem. TLB only allows a child to go to the sites specified by the parent and there is a ready made list of interesting sites already installed to get users started. Parents can use their own 3rd party web-blocking software if they wish though.

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8. What is the “Administrator” account?

   The “Administrator” account is a built-in Windows account. It needs a password but cannot be deleted or renamed. Windows will hide this user-account automatically on the login screen but if you make use of the “Administrator” account TLB should force it to appear automatically.

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9. What is a Windows Account?

   Using Microsoft Windows, each family member can have their own desktop, documents area and login password. Each user you create an account for will appear on a login screen when Windows first starts. TLB takes this feature of Windows, extends it and makes it as easy as possible to set up and use.

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10. How do I show or hide the “Administrator” account at the login screen?

    You can hide or show this account from the “TLB options”. From the main options screen, click the “TLB Options” button and then tick or untick the appropriate option.

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11. Can children change their settings once The Learning Bubble is installed?

    No. You need a secret password to access the options, so even if they get into your Windows user-account, they still cannot change their settings.

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12. What is a White-List?

    TLB uses a white-list which is a set of websites that your child can go to. All other websites are blocked. Although quite restrictive TLB believes that this is preferable for young children because:

    - The child can see the list of websites available making the internet easier to navigate.
    - The child can only go to websites that you specify.
    - It is almost impossible to circumvent the protection.
    - TLB provides users a selection of fun and educational websites.

    The alternative to this is to use a blacklist where the child can go to a website if it is NOT on the list of “bad” websites. This gives the child more freedom but large lists of websites must be used and they are relatively easy to circumvent for savvy children.

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13. Exiting from the Learning Bubble using the password changed my child’s time settings for today…why?

    Since you have come out of learning early TLB changes the rest of that learning segment to free time. This change will stay in effect until the child logs off.

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