New Internet Portal Gives Witness to Brethren Values

Early this spring Brethren Benefit Trust's newly created Web operations division will offer a national Internet service using a values-based filter that will screen out undesirable content. As a newly created subsidiary of BBT, eMountain Communications will "offer products that simplify and improve information handling and delivery," according to Marilyn Nelson, BBT's Director of Interpretation. The first product, scheduled for launch in late March, will be filtered Internet access memberships and e-mail service.

This new service, sort of "an America Online with Brethren values," said Nelson, has been designed to filter out potentially offensive content by applying screens to 30 categories, including violence, hate, pornography, gambling, and homework cheating, as well as sites delivering sexually-oriented material.

As the basically unsupervised world of the Internet attracts a wider audience, ClearViewNet promises to be the first "family-friendly" Internet portal that applies a continuously updated filter to Web sites and to information obtained through subject searches.

Michael Addison is the Director of Information Services for BBT.

"Our intent is to create a gateway to the Web that provides simple, safe access to Internet resources -- the way the Internet was meant to be used," said Michael Addison, Director of Information Systems for Brethren Benefit Trust. "This is important to Brethren families who want to make sure a "Web-savvy" guide is constantly surfing alongside their children as they explore the world of the Internet. It is equally important to individuals and employers who want access to information without the distraction and disruption of potentially offensive sites cluttering the search process."

"The service was conceived first as a service for our Church of the Brethren families but will also be offered to all who share our values," Addison added.

Concentric Network is providing the technological backbone of the ClearViewNet service. According to Addison, Concentric has extensive customer support capabilities and will provide ClearViewNet subscribers "a high-performance network delivering prompt and easy access to the Internet."

The Package
There are many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that offer filtering or site blockage capabilities. What sets ClearViewNet apart is that in addition to a basic filtering service, we provide our members with a unique search engine that stops unacceptable content before it appears onto the screen. With the addition of our search engine, neither the site nor the site description can appear. Our search engine will be programmed to match the filtering philosophy reflected by our membership.

Membership Privileges
A subscriber to ClearViewNet can expect the following:

• Unlimited Internet access for $19.95 per month
  
• E-mail services
  
• Nationwide access through more than 350 local access numbers
• in most areas of the country
  
• Fast, reliable access -- minimal disruption during
• peak access hours
  
• Fast, reliable connectivity – call routing through
• no more than two points of presence
  
• Content that reflects the interests and values of the
• subscribers
  
• Access through an 800 number when a local access number
• is not available