Limiting Time on the Computer/Internet

[RSLancastr]

Does anyone have any recommendations for limiting the amount of time a user can use the computer, or at least the amount of time they can spend on the Internet?

We are using XP Home Edition and IE.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Darat]

Not used it but: http://www.pchomesoft.com/parental_control_programs_to_set_time_limits.html

[CFLarsen]

"Just say no"? :D

[HarryKeogh]

install Windows ME. You'll become so frustrated that you won't want to be on the computer...ever.

[hodgy]

A laptop without the power cable.

[asthmatic camel]

install Windows ME. You'll become so frustrated that you won't want to be on the computer...ever.

How true. :cheerleader5

[RSLancastr]

Thanks, Darat.

[Lisa Simpson]

We used our router software to keep Why from playing on the laptop all night long. But we didn't really need it. He's fairly self-regulating.

[BobK]

I assume it's the kids you're concerned about. Whatever you go to the trouble of doing, they'll probably find a way around it anyway. Just look in on them occasionally.

Why not add a rule they must follow in order to be allowed relatively unrestricted use? Something that requires them to take some personal responsibility. Maybe something like, the computer area must be pristine daily at 6pm when the old man might want to use the computer. Nobody gets upset, and both sides benefit.

[RSLancastr]

We used our router software to keep Why from playing on the laptop all night long. But we didn't really need it. He's fairly self-regulating.We'll probably be getting a router soon, so I might have this option at that point, thanks.

I assume it's the kids you're concerned about. Whatever you go to the trouble of doing, they'll probably find a way around it anyway. Just look in on them occasionally.Hard to do from work, Bob. And these "kids" are in their twenties.

[webfusion]

Does anyone have any recommendations for limiting the amount of time a user can use the computer, or at least the amount of time they can spend on the Internet?

Clock Lock (free)
http://clocklock.clocklocked-com.qarchive.org/

[RSLancastr]

Clock Lock (free)
http://clocklock.clocklocked-com.qarchive.org/Thanks wf, but it doesn't appear to be what I'm looking for.

I'm not looking to make sure people only use the PC during specific times of the day. I'm looking to make sure people don't spend more than x hours on the pc/internet per day, no matter what time they choose to do so.

[a_unique_person]

I've used enuff. It works, if the kids aren't old enough to start working out hacks to circumvent it. They don't like the way it has to disable ctrl-alt-del though, for if they have to kill an out of control program. There's no way around that, though. Apparently Vista will have this facility built in.

[RSLancastr]

Thanks AUP, I'll check it out.

[Orangutan]

We'll probably be getting a router soon, so I might have this option at that point, thanks.

Hard to do from work, Bob. And these "kids" are in their twenties.

My router has firmware that allows you to turn off the internet for certain clients at certain time, so if I wanted I could restrict it to certain computers in my house therby leaving others on.

May I ask why you have to restrict a 20 year old's access? Is it a world of warcraft habit?

If that's the case you may find you can just restrict certain ports. A little digging will allow you to block certain ports. I have done this in the past. (a few years ago now). There's no point in grounding a teaenager in thier bedroom if they can still use Aim.


;)

[Soapy Sam]

Robert, why seek a technical solution?

Issue a fatwa.

[RSLancastr]

My router has firmware that allows you to turn off the internet for certain clients at certain time, so if I wanted I could restrict it to certain computers in my house therby leaving others on.Thanks, but again, I'm not looking for an "only 4pm-6pm"-type of solution, but one which limits the total time a user can spend on the system, or at least, using the internet.

May I ask why you have to restrict a 20 year old's access? Is it a world of warcraft habit?Long story, Orangutan. Life would just be easier if I could do this.

Robert, why seek a technical solution?

Issue a fatwa.Ah, if only life were that easy, Sam.

[Kenny 10 Bellys]

I know of no way to have a 'total time spent' kind of access restriction in the home, unless there's a free program somewhere that can achieve this. Apart from some ISPs I've never heard of a home user needing this, only internet cafe owners.

I guarantee that most decent home routers these days will be able to restrict access from certain PCs to within set hours on set days, and can be set to filter out keywords and undesirable sites.

[alfaniner]

It's quite possible someone wrote that as a plugin for Firefox.

[RemieV]

http://cybersitter.com/

[bigred]

Does anyone have any recommendations for limiting the amount of time a user can use the computer, or at least the amount of time they can spend on the Internet?Yes. Parental discipline. Seriously. Force them to get up and away from the PC after you feel they have been on for long enough.

Also I would have 1 or 2 PCs in a household max which would limit their ability to get on - eg 1 for the parents and 1 for the kids. I will never get "the everyone has their own everything" concept (ie own PC, own TV, own iPod, own everythingelseunderthesundoo-dad ad nauseum)......put down the electronic crapola already!

[RayG]

Yes. Parental discipline. Seriously. Force them to get up and away from the PC after you feel they have been on for long enough.

Good in theory, but not always in practice. Sometimes it's nice to have extra options.

Also I would have 1 or 2 PCs in a household max which would limit their ability to get on - eg 1 for the parents and 1 for the kids.That might work in your house, but not in mine. I use my computer for business purposes, and I'm running Linux on it. I have three other systems connected 24/7, running WinXP, available to the other 9 members of the family. One method I use (if necessary) to limit internet access, is to login to the router from MY computer, and disable the internet connection.

I will never get "the everyone has their own everything" concept (ie own PC, own TV, own iPod, own everythingelseunderthesundoo-dad ad nauseum)......put down the electronic crapola already!Nah, if that were the case, I'd have to setup an additional 6 PC's. :eek:

RayG

[geni]

Also I would have 1 or 2 PCs in a household max which would limit their ability to get on - eg 1 for the parents and 1 for the kids.

Problem with that one is that people want somewhat differnet computer setups. It also causes problems when someone sets up an 8 hour download or 12 hour POV ray render.



I will never get "the everyone has their own everything" concept (ie own PC, own TV, own iPod, own everythingelseunderthesundoo-dad ad nauseum)

Independance, responcebilty (your computer if it ends up full of viruses that is your problem).

There is also the problem of what you are going to do with the parts you removed from computers when upgradeing if not use them to build emergency reserve secondary backup computers.

[RSLancastr]

http://cybersitter.com/It appears that the time limitations on it are of the "between the hours of x and y" rather than "a total of z hours in a day."

Yes. Parental discipline. Seriously. Force them to get up and away from the PC after you feel they have been on for long enough.And how does one do this from work?

[RSLancastr]

There is also the problem of what you are going to do with the parts you removed from computers when upgradeing if not use them to build emergency reserve secondary backup computers.Not to mention the tangled mess of headphone cords if you all share the same iPod...

[bigred]

And how does one do this from work?oh thx for clarification. uhhhh back to what the techies said :o

[ohms]

I stumbled across this (http://www.akrontech.com/) bit of software that may do the trick. I haven't tried it myself but it does offer a 30 day trial.

[a_unique_person]

I stumbled across this (http://www.akrontech.com/) bit of software that may do the trick. I haven't tried it myself but it does offer a 30 day trial.

That's the one I used.

[Beerina]

"Just say no"? :D

Threats of spankings?

Actually I believe Windows records all boots and shutdowns in a log somewhere, so you can at least tell somewhat what's going on.

[RSLancastr]

I stumbled across this (http://www.akrontech.com/) bit of software that may do the trick. I haven't tried it myself but it does offer a 30 day trial.Thanks! If I end up going this route, I will definitely give this one a try.

[bigred]

And how does one do this from work?
PS curious: they don't go to school? Or you work off hours?

[RSLancastr]

We all work, though our schedules vary. As I said earlier in the thread, my children are all in their 20s.

[bigred]

Now I'm really lost....you're playing mommy and daddy to kids in their 20s? Just IMO and pardon any offense, but aren't they kinda old for that?

[RSLancastr]

Red, while I appreciate the sentiment, you are making assumptions and talking about a situation of which you know next to nothing.

I posted here for technical advice. Had I wanted parenting advice, I would have picked another forum.

[bigred]

Fair enough and beg pardon. My curiosity overtook my tact. :(