Need timer softwarer to control a PC

June 15, 2009 2:20 PM

I need software the will control how long a given user can be logged on AND lock out users during certain hours. Something like you see in some public libraries, but with a lockout feature as well. Any suggestions for a PC running under Windows XP?

HELP! Summer has arrived and both kids are home. All the time. And squabbling. All the time. I'm trying to limit computer usage and enforce fair turns with some simple program that will allow each child X minutes of time per day. In addition I want to be able to limit the hours that the kids can use the computer (i.e. from 9 am to 9 pm daily). Anything out there that's Windows XP compatible and price-friendly?

Yes, I've looked at here, but nothing there quite fits the bill. Many solutions there are specific to internet usage only. I need to control the whole PC.

P.S. Anyone who responds with "it's just a matter of discipline" is more than welcome to supervise the kids while I work from home and finish my master's.

posted by OlderThanTOS to computers & internet (10 comments total)

Are we talking the computer completely or are we saying the computer and really meaning the internet?

If it's the whole computer I think you can institute workstation policies to control that, might Google that one to make sure.

If it's a "Damn kids just sit on the internet all day browsing websites" much like I do :), then you can try LeechBlock, which allows you to specify time frames that websites are completely blocked. A useful productivity addon for Firefox that will simply not let you browse anything for a specified time frame.

Good luck.
posted by Gravitus at 2:33 PM on June 15

And hope that neither kid is advanced enough to realize they can boot from a Linux LiveCD or USB stick to get around anything Windows-based.
posted by rokusan at 2:36 PM on June 15

Yeah--want to control all access (not just internet), since it's also our media center. I think I might LeechBlock on MY computer.

As to alternate OS booting, I'm assuming a well written program will block CD/USB/LAN boot-up ;~).
posted by OlderThanTOS at 2:40 PM on June 15

I work at a public library uses PCReservation. It's pay software, and not specifically that great, but that's what we use.
posted by box at 2:42 PM on June 15

On a side note per rokusan's thoughts...

admin password everything and disable boot from usb or cd.

Although if your kids are rolling linux thumbdrives why you would want to shut them down? :)
posted by Gravitus at 2:45 PM on June 15

To prevent kids from booting up a linux CD/USB stick go into your BIOS and disable booting from anything besides the hard drive. Set up a password for your BIOS while you're there so they can't just undo your changes.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:46 PM on June 15

I've tried admin password and it's a bad for us, since I have to be there every time a kid logs on AND every time the "shift" changes. I really want to automate the process and remove myself from the endless discussions of who was logged in at what time and for how long (I'm getting payed back for all the grief my sister and I caused Mom growing up).
posted by OlderThanTOS at 3:01 PM on June 15

Have you looked at Windows Steady State from Microsoft (free), which allows you to set limits on user accounts and session limits. This also suggests that you can set login time limits.
posted by clarkie666 at 3:21 PM on June 15

To confirm SteadyState allows you to apply a time limit to your child's computing sessions.
posted by clarkie666 at 3:26 PM on June 15

Again, assuming they aren't skilled enough to bypass Windows completely....

Try Computertime It seems to fit exactly what you want.

This worked great even with my oldest teenager and because we did it as "tokens" for completing chores, they always had their jobs done before even asking. A given time amount can be available by default (with 9am-9pm restrictions) and Tokens can be added as a bonus to time. You can even set limits to how long they can be on the PC at a single sitting, and how long to wait until they can get on again. I had 3 boys who used this successfully for a few years.

Sure, there are ways around this but at least it takes away some of the "Administration" of fair computer time limits.

Heck, it even turned the youngest one of them into an entrepreneur as he started to "Sell" his computer time to his older brother for favors and whatnot. He learned fast to get the favors up-front and not wait to collect on them.
posted by emjay at 5:25 AM on June 16