Easy Link Internet Launch Pad

What’s the Story?

EASY LINK INTERNET LAUNCH PAD provides a safe Internet experience that locks kids into age-appropriate sites and won't let them click into the files that are on that computer. Each character takes kids to related game sites online: Elmo links to the games section of the Sesame Workshop Web site (www.sesameworkshop.org); Zak & Wheezie go to the Dragon Tales section of the PBSKids.org; and the Fisher-Price dog leads to a specially created Fisher-Price games and activities Web site.

For $30, parents get a 10-inch-by-6-inch plastic launch pad that plugs into a Windows-based computer via a USB cord and has three plastic character Smart Keys. Parents place one of these keys into the device's centered green plug, the key lights up, and the computer automatically launches the associated Web site. The device sits in its own mouse pad, and kids use the device's arrow keys and your own computer mouse to navigate within the games found on the Web sites. Parents can remove their keyboard and keep it safe from sticky fingers.

Is It Any Good?

While the Fisher-Price activities are based on toy lines and sometimes promote the toys on which they are based, they do offer good opportunities for first-time computer activities. Kids may need help inserting the character keys. Additional smart keys are available in two-character packs for $6.99 -- Thomas the Tank Engine comes packaged with Bob the Builder, for example. The program comes with controls that allow parents to set a timer for how long kids can play, and determine whether printing is allowed.