Times Up is a useful program for parents
Kids love using today’s technology for internet access and chat programs, but wasn’t the reason you got that computer so that they could do their homework? Or at least that was the excuse! So they get on the computer when they come home from school and start chatting with school buddies instead of doing that homework. Then of course if you have more than one child, the argument, “it’s my turn!” invariably start.
There are plenty of ‘nanny’ utilities out there which control what kids can actually get access to, but that doesn’t complete the picture. Sometimes it’s not what they are accessing but rather for how long, especially as these days so many of our kids have computers in their bedrooms. Why not have the computer automatically kick them off at a reasonable hour, they can’t argue with the computer! Developed by a parent with kids who fall into this category this program does just that. As an example, limiting a child’s access to 1 hour a day should allow them to complete their homework and have as a reward, when finished, a controlled time extension for the fun stuff.
So how does it allow you to stop the “it’s my turn” arguments when there is just one computer? With the help of Times Up each child can be allocated a different time slot during the day. For example, Sarah is given 4pm to 5pm and Christopher 7pm to 8pm, at these times each child knows that the computer will be free as the other child will not be able to access it.
Designed to enhance the built-in ‘logon hours’ control of the Windows NT operating systems by enforcing a user to be logged off when their time is up. The standard ‘logon hours’ are used to control when a logon can occur, to a resolution of 1 hour, but doesn’t logoff active users. Even in a corporate environment the only action performed is to prevent further network access while still leaving the user logged on.
Since a user interface to set the ‘logon hours’ is only provided with the high-end versions of the operating systems, this program provides a simple user interface to manage each users access time. Based on these access times a user can only logon when permitted.
Running in the background is a program that monitors when a user logs on and then figures out when they are supposed to be logged off. A few minutes before the user is logged off a message is displayed on the screen letting them know that their time is almost up. A further final message is displayed just before the user is about to be logged off.
The amount of time given for each message can be changed along with the message that is displayed i.e., “You will be logged off in 5 minutes, please save your work”.
As the amount of homework can be different from day to day, the program allows you to temporarily extend a users logoff time without having to change normal access times.
Here are some key features of “Times Up”:
· Ease of use
· Create a time limit for each individual user
· When users time is up automatic logoff occurs, user cannot log back on
· Warning messages that user is about to be logged off
· Time may be increased by 5 minute increments so that homework can be finished
· Runs as a background service
· Ability to log off all users at a specific time for nightly procedures
· Ability to force all users to be logged off after a certain time
· Ability to manage accounts remotely
· Based on Windows NT group security
· Select specific users who can change access times and extend time
Limitations:
· 7 days trial
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