Fast switchable way to block/unblock certain web sites?

I have two computers at home and use a wireless router to access the web
from both of them via one internet connection.

One of my kids has a hotmail account, and sometimes as punishment, we
block access to the account.

The way I do this is that I have a hosts file (this is in Windows 2000)
that contains several sites I never want accessed on the computer the
kids use. I also have a file (call it hostsHotmailBlock) that is a
hosts file with several lines to block hotmail, and a third file (call
it hostsHotmailNoBlock) that lacks the hotmail blocking lines.

I then have a couple bat files, launched from the Start menu:

1. hotmail_on.bat copies the hostsHotmailNoBlock file to hosts
2. hotmail_off.bat copies the hostsHotmailBlock file to hosts

This works fine - except if I mistakenly add blocks for additional web
sites, I need to remember to also add them to the Block and NoBlock
files.

If you're not following this, you're probably already screaming "KLUDGE!"

And you'd be right.

My question is, is there an effective and easier technique for
situationally blocking access to hotmail or whatever sites I'd like to?

And no, using my Netgear router software isn't the answer, as I don't
want to block web access from the computer *I* use that's part of the
home network. I just want to block access from one computer.

Suggestions?

 

Use a Linksys router, it has that feature. Netgear should also, Try a
firmware upgrade.

--


The best live web video on the internet http://www.seedsv.com/webdemo.htm
NEW Embedded system W/Linux. We now sell DVR cards.
See it all at http://www.seedsv.com/products.htm
Sharpvision simply the best http://www.seedsv.com