“The Kids Online Network”
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The Kids Online Network was a grand idea. We wanted to create a place for prereading kids on the Internet—a cross between AOL and Nickelodeon perhaps. Using a connected CD, children ages 3 to 8 were to be offered the interactivity and immediacy that a CD-ROM provides together with the connectivity and mutability possible on the Internet. We designed and built the environment, activities, and animations, but the project required a large corporate sponsor to continue. We thought we were close to a deal when Disney’s “Blast” site was announced. Blast tried to provide one website to serve children ages 2 to 15! Although Blast never did what the Kids Online Network would have done, the prospect of competing with Disney was just too daunting for our sponsors. Ah well...
The main character is designed to appear to live his life inside the computer. Taking his cues from the computer’s internal clock, he eats breakfast, takes naps, and goes to bed at the same time as his young users. One of the educational goals of the CD is to teach young children about the concept and measurement of time.
Judge Time presides over a series of elaborate time machines. An image showing 18 screenshots from this program is available.336K
The “Kids Online Network” features a Web Town which can be navigated by prereading children.