Droolicious

I've worked on computers as an all purpose tech support person for over 10 years helping small businesses and home offices buy, fix and maintain everything computer related.

My first concern is that this is a company nobody has ever heard of, which is never a good idea.

And their "support" number isn't even an 800 number.  It's some place down in Tucson, AZ.  They don't even list hours of operation!

And remember, when you take this thing out of your computer, it renders it "unusable".  What if they key get's "lost"?  Now YOU cannot use the computer either.  This is a nightmare waiting to happen.

There is nothing on the website that tells you anything about how to manage the thing at all.  Nor does it give any specifics about how it works other than saying it does some filtering and it records up to 60 hours, like a video.  Which sounds neat.  But does that mean it will stop recording after 60 hours?  Does it alert you to that fact, or do you have to clear it every 60 hours or your kids can't get online?  Does it automatically over-write older recordings once you hit 60 hours?  Is it recording everything or just online activity?  If you leave your computer on over night does it just keep going?  Who knows.  They don't say.

I would not even begin to consider putting this un-reviewed, undocumented, and unsupported (without long distance charges) device into my computer, or any of my client's computers.

I Googled it and I cannot find one single place that refers to it, other than this post and link.  Buyer Beware.

I'll try to address as many of the previous comments points:

1. No 800 number = at least it is free support, unlike most companies that charge huge rates per hour.. plenty of people even have free (or almost free) long distance.

2. What if the key gets lost?  Parent can just enter a password to disable, no problem.

3. Will it stop after 60 hours?  No, when it gets full, it just starts to overwrite the oldest part of the video.  It also has an option to notify you (email) when it is close to full, incase you want to view it before it starts to overwrite the old stuff.

4. Records everything, or just online?  Everything.

5. Leave your computer over night, does it keep going?  No, it only records when the child is logged in, and not when they are at the screen saver.  It is also optimized to only record when the screen actually changes.  So, in reality, "60 hours" could be several months, depending on how many hours are used per day.

6. Undocumented -- not true, it came with documentation when I purchased it.

7. Unreviewed, and no links anywhere -- I saw it on the local news, here in Tucson, and they included a write-up and link on their website... not sure the exact URL, but it was on www.kold.com (local Tucson CBS news).  There are also several other links, if you search Google for PG Key.

8. New company - Just because a company name is new, doesn't mean the company employees/resources are new.  Big companies with a recognized name in a certain area often need to give a new name to a new product, but it doesn't mean the company doesn't have years (over 15 in fact) of experience in computer hardware and software areas.

9. "Some place down in Tucson, AZ" -- ??? That is a negative?  Would you rather it be oversees (India?) where Microsoft and everyone else is moving their support to... god bless the USA!  Support the USA!

Funny last comment Aaron! :-)  -  I googled PG Key after seeing a news story on the Phoenix news and found dozens of references to it.  

I'll bet you do like the the way BabbleMan surfs! :-)

FWIW - they have a free trial, so I'll probably try it.  

Greetings all,

This thread was forwarded to me by one of the families that are currently using PG Key.

First of all, thank you Aaron for helping to spread the word about our new product.

To Babbleman, the fact that you visit and read this website and took to the time to comment in such detail tells me that you likely share our concerns and agree that it's important for parents to teach children and teens safe and responsible use of technology.

I appreciate your efforts as a technical expert in helping to guide and advise some of the non-technical parents.

The 2nd poster, Lucas seems to have answered most of the concerns you brought up however, I would like to extend an offer to you.

Would you accept a free PG Key to evaluate?  We would gladly listen to your concerns and input.  

You can then post your review right on this thread.

Our sincere goal was to develop the absolute best product for parents to deal with the challenges that come up when kids and computers are combined.

Our design/development team consists of experts in more than just IT - among others, it includes a pediatrician, law enforcement, a superintendent of schools, and even regular every day parents.

We are always open to suggestions and input as to how we can improve our product and support.

If you would like to take me up on this offer, just send an e-mail to pr@pgkey.com  attn Brian.

Thanks again!

Brian

This must be what Joyce saw:

www.kpho.com/.../detail.html

Or if the above doesn't work after a while, it is also available on YouTube which will probably be archived longer:

www.youtube.com/watch

Was also featured in at least 3 other states as well, so not just AZ.

Wow, BabbleMan, I'd say that offer from Brian is a great deal!  I look forward to seeing your review.

Joyce, maybe you could post something as well, if you did end up ordering.  Personally I prefer reviews from actual users, not so much the technical stuff that BabbleMan would probably tell us.  Although, both are valuable.

Let me try re-posting again.  I think I was “edited” last time.  Really, I only want to help anyone who can use it.  Obviously I am interested in helping parents, kids and I know something about computers and how to communicate, so I babble as I may.  LOL

Lucas, thanks for all the great info.  That surely helps to have answers like that which I wish I’d been able to read about on the website so I could evaluate what it actually does and how it works.  Not just for technical curiosity, but for anyone to understand in plain terms.  So, my comments are to be helpful to consumers, why to be concerned, and also to point out what the company could do better for their own benefit.

I started out life as an Arts and Literature person and I learned tech by sifting through bad tech manuals and trial and error in the absence of any info, which is even harder to do.  My best attribute has been to explain things to non-tech people with analogies they get, so that degree in English has been extremely useful, since it’s all about learning how to communicate and think outside of what you’re being told and to consider the speaker and the entire context of what’s being said.  Not just to be critical, but to understand everyone more fully.

Lucas, I’d have to guess that you work for the company to be familiar enough to know that they have 15 years of experience in Hardware and Software areas.  How would anyone else know that?  It’s not a big deal, but it would be nice to disclose your relationship.  No biggie.  Just sayin’.

I know you’re just trying to put the word out and get your product off the ground, and that’s great.  I’m sure you’ll be very successful and a lot of people will be thrilled to use your product.  There is certainly a need for something like this and it is a very clever idea!  And I appreciate that you found my questions valid concerns that deserved to be fairly addressed.

When I said “someplace in Tucson” it was simply referring to the fact that there was nothing to inspire confidence that someone would answer the phone when support was needed, particularly with no hours of operation listed.  It implies to me that there isn’t a person, much less a team, dedicated to support when there aren’t even hours.  That’s all.  Easy to fix.  Just put up hours so people know they can call you.

Same goes for telling people about how the recording feature actually works and how to manage it.  Just say what you posted on the website and you’ll save yourself a lot of calls or worse, people giving up and clicking away without bothering.  Once you have them on your website, give them all of the info you can.  That’s the beauty of the web.  It’s virtually free to put up more info once you’re already paying to host a domain.  If you go to a website like Linksys.com, you can read the entire set of documentation online.  Clients almost never keep the paper manual that came in the box.  So, why not put it up online so anyone can see it, it might help them trust your product more since they can see it and know what they can expect when it arrives.

When I say, unreviewed, I mean that all I see on Google are Press Releases.  A press release is just a statement about how great something is as told by the company.  So, the absence of the product being reviewed by Cnet, or even at a more generic resource like Amazon, is a red flag to be overcome.  Not that one wouldn’t buy it, but they certainly have to realize that they’re trying something they cannot verify how well it works, or what bugs it might have from any other users.  And let’s be honest.  The real world is where bugs show up.  No software is perfect.  Most bugs are minor.  But in the absence of any such info at all, how can one know what to expect?

Brian, I’d love to take you up on your offer.  It’s not only generous, but a good idea, as I am someone who is a vocal advocate for simple consumers like myself.  When I find something great, I blab to everyone.  Same goes for problematic things.  I tell them what my issues were and let them decide if those issues aren’t a problem for them.  Everyone has different needs.  So, I’ll email you and would be happy to post back here, or even on your company website.

Just to address it, Lucas, how much more blessed do you think America could possibly be, as compared to the rest of the struggling world?  If the rest of the world were so blessed as the US already is, then the vast majority of everyone’s problems, here and everywhere else, would instantly disappear.  So, let’s not try to be not just God’s favorite and keep asking for more.  As they say, all boats rise with the tide.  So, let’s ask for the good of all, as we all will benefit.  Yes?  :)

No, I don't work for PG Key, but I know someone who does, that is how I know they have been in the business for 15+ years.

I know the rest of the info because I use the key to protect 2 children at home.  I think most sales based websites don't include too many details because they don't want to scare away 99% of their customers with a bunch of stuff they will not understand anyway... I think BabbleMan is in the 1% category who understands and even wants to know/worry about those kinds of details.  I'm in the 1% with BabbleMan also, and I'm also annoyed when I can't find details about stuff I want to purchase, but I do understand why companies don't go out of their way to cater to the 1%.

Before I get flamed, I know 1% vs 99% may not be the actual statistics, but I do know we (informed consumer, as I like to call myself), are still the very small minority.

When you purchase the product, it does come with some documentation to get you started, and then additional information can be found through out the program as well as here:

help.pgkey.com  (for those that want the details)

Don't expect the documentation to be long/detailed like the example BabbleMan mentioned (linksys).  Something like setting up a router is not something the average consumer can do, so those documents are written for the technician who installs it for you (maybe the guy from your Cable/Phone company).  PG Key should not require a technician to install or maintain.

A review of PG Key:

www.babesandkidsreview.com/.../pg-key-review-and-giveaway.html