1. A method for enabling a television user to substantially control operation of application programs on a programmable television controller, the method comprising: a) providing a user storage means associated with the television user, b) providing a control option specification means to the television user, wherein functionality of the control option specification means comprises: i) presenting to the television user at least one control option pertaining to the operation of the application programs on the programmable television controller, wherein each of the control options can be selectively configured by the television user, ii) capturing the television user's selective configuration of the control options, iii) storing a control option specification representative of the television user's selective configuration using the user storage means, and iv) associating the control option specification with the programmable television controller, and c) providing a compliance means that causes the application programs executed on the programmable television controller to operate in compliance with the control option specification, whereby the television user can ensure that the operation of the application programs on the programmable television controller will be generally acceptable to a given audience for the programmable television controller.