Parental Scheduling of Windows

Hi all,

I wish to control my step-son's computer usage with some kind of scheduler. I wish to restrict access to WoW and other installed games, and Internet certain hours the day, while it being non-intrusive when 'unlocked'.

I've tried searching the web for applications, but thought I would ask my fellow programmers with kids if you have any suggestions or recommendations.

Thanks!

If you have Vista, then parental control is already built into it.

Some better quality routers can open ports at sheduled times. In addition to this, lock the pc with a static IP and take away his account's network config permissions (will stop him physically bypassing the router).

Or get a software based firewall with the same feature and lock it with an admin passwd (not as foolproof though).

Lol, when i wasa kid, a simple but very loud "Get off that computer NOW!" rant usually did the trick if i was in front of it "too long", otherwise it was confiscated :(

or just steal the keyboard.. :p

WoW is easy. You are able to define his allowed playtime on the account settings when you login on the account administration page, when I remember correctly (european account administration is offline right now, so I can't check).

For the rest: there are applications that allow you to do that, given you gave your son a user account and have an admin yourself. I think there might even be a free one from microsoft.

and the simplest is to take away the router instead of keyboard.

Not really as you can simply plug it straight into the DSLmodem or hardwired wallport -if its set to DHCP(default), and bypass the router all together.
(also exposing all your open ports to the net - not a recommended long term setup)

not if he (dad) has plugged his system into it as it would be obvious :)

You could write a scheduler in Max or Blitz+ just make it so it doesnt open a window and use command line arguments to set it up, after you done that then simply add it to the startup folder or in the Run bit of the registry.

I did one for my step-son, the program shutdown windows after a certain time till after school the next day, even if he turned the computer on after it shut down as the time was after the cut off period it shut the computer down again.

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=Parental+Scheduling+of+Windows

has anyone here NOT got a step-son?

(I have one too)
(mine is also using online rpg's too much)

yes me. no kids, just a GF

Ive got a cat...

Thats about it...


(oh and a family too)

I've got a GF, no kids or pets.

You alos have to account for him finding ways around any measures you take, configuring the router is the best option really as you can password protect this which he'll never get round without it being obvious that he's done it.

Another option is to simply remove the computer from his bedroom, if space allows.

I take it you're the one paying for his WoW account as you need a bank card, so you could threaten to cancel the account.

One, he is 3 :)

Not a stepson though

Thanks for all the tips ;)

Thing is, he's a good kid, but we want him to explore the world outside of the PC too :)
I don't want to have the possibility of bartering when the access is removed, hence my search for software that can do it without compromise and us physically doing something to shut it off - that would just create unnessesary conflict, something everyone with a kid will recognize ;).
He's missed school alot due to certain issues, and we don't want him to use it as an excuse to stay home, so we're going to make home as boring as possible during school time and after 8PM :)

I've searched google for possible programs, but they all seem like cheap rip-off-concerned-parents-ware, and I just wanted to check with you people before I handed over cash for bad software :)

As mentioned above, some routers have parental features built into them that can be pretty decent, and for example allow you to specify that certain MAC addresses can only access the internet between certain hours on certain days of the week, or block certain ports at specific times.

That would require no software to be installed on the PC.

WoW, as mentioned, has integrated parental control.
Log in to the account management system and then into the parental control area. it allows you to specify own password / mail for it and should remove at least the "WoW crazyness"

if you are looking to control internet hours k9 does that it also has more blocking categories than i have ever seen. i tested it out on my site, i put a page w/ a link to a site that was blocked, and it even blocked the page w/ the link to it. it blocks millions of proxy sites and tunneling software is the only efficient way to get past it.