Jeffrey
too dark too early
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|  [Need Info] Windows Vista Parental Controls - Not Enough?
Good evening everyone (or good morning depending upon when you're reading this)
I have a good friend. She's a single mother with 4 children, 3 of which are living at home. They have a 4-month old Dell desktop PC running Windows Vista Home Premium which they all share.
Here's the dilemma. One of the children who's 16 is accessing AOL, AIM and the Internet (via IE) at all points in the night. She asked me if there was a way to limit the use of the computer for this 16 year old. Since they have Vista, I said there would be, but upon further inspection, I don't believe it meets their needs.
She would like her daughter to have unfettered (I love that word) access to the computer 24/7/365. However she would like IE, Firefox, Opera, etc, AIM, AOL, Skype, MSN, Yahoo Messanger, etc. blocked Sunday-Thurs 7AM through 10PM.
I looked at Windows Vista Parental Controls and it appears I can block access to the entire PC (via her user account) for those days and times, but I can not for example block the programs in question, yet continue to allow access for Word, Powerpoint, Excel etc. It seems to me that it's an all or nothing kind of thing.
Am I incorrect? If I am correct, can anyone recommend a program that is able to handle the restrictions needed on a user by user basis? I'm hesitant to recommend a program in a field of software that, as a guy with no children, I have no experience with.
FWIW, they have the Linksys WRT54G router (that I setup for them)---does Linksys have any parental controls within their firmware that could block Internet access in one shot? Actually, now that I think of that it would be blocking access for all users and not just specific Windows Vista users, so perhaps that's not such a good idea.
Anywho, if anyone can make any suggestions or recommendations, I'd appreciate it. I know this has probably been talked about before here, but I did a quick search for 'parental control' and I didn't see anything relating to this specific problem.
And for those that wish to comment about computer programs not replacing good parenting---I agree. However, in this case, a single mom with 4 kids who works a FT job doesn't have the time to baby sit the 16 year old's every single move. A useful computer application, in this instance, might be worth her while.
TIA.
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"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Vamp
5c077
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| Well I'm not familiar with it at all, but can say a lot of programs need for be compatible... For instance, Firefox just finished implementing with Vista Parental Controls, which will be in Firefox 3.0 in a couple months.
Of course there is better software out there that someone could recommend, as well as hardware solutions (routers with filters and connection scheduling, etc).
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no_one
@QWEST.NET | reply to Jeffrey
The router with the right firmware yes it should be able to lockdown access.
Just depends on how smart the 16 year old is. |
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Jeffrey
too dark too early
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| said by no_one :
The router with the right firmware yes it should be able to lockdown access.
Just depends on how smart the 16 year old is.
Will it lockdown access on a user-by-user basis or strictly by IP address?
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"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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Springfield, IL
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| reply to Jeffrey
From the Help article:
You can use Parental Controls to help manage how your children use the computer. For example, you can set limits on your children's access to the web, the hours that they can log on to the computer, and which games they can play and programs they can run.
When Parental Controls blocks access to a webpage or game, a notification is displayed that the webpage or program has been blocked. Your child can click a link in the notification to request permission for access to that webpage or program. You can allow access by entering your account information.
Before you get started, make sure that each child that you want to set up Parental Controls for has a standard user account because Parental Controls can only be applied to standard user accounts. To set up Parental Controls for your child, you'll need an Administrator user account. Parental Controls cannot be applied to an Administrator user account. For more information about user accounts and setting them up, see What is a user account?
Once you've turned on Parental Controls for your child's standard user account, you can adjust the individual settings that you want to control. You can control the following areas:
Web restrictions. You can restrict the websites that children can visit, make sure children only visit age-appropriate websites, indicate whether you want to allow file downloads, and set up which content you want the content filters to block and allow. You can also block or allow specific websites. For more information, see Limit the content that children can view on the web.
Time limits. You can set time limits to control when children are allowed to log on to the computer. Time limits prevent children from logging on during the specified hours and, if they are already logged on, they will be automatically logged off. You can set different logon hours for every day of the week. For more information, see Control when children can use the computer.
Games. You can control access to games, choose an age rating level, choose the types of content you want to block, and decide whether you want to allow or block unrated or specific games. For more information, see Specify which games children can play.
Allow or block specific programs. You can prevent children from running programs that you don't want them to run. For more information, see Prevent children from using specific programs. |
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Vamp
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| reply to Jeffrey
I'm sorry I replied about hardware/router blocking and didn't even realize you mentioned it..
If the WRT54G is version 4.0 or previous (can see on the bottom of the router), then you can try Tomato Firmware (»www.polarcloud.com/tomato) or DD-WRT.... they add far more advanced parental controls than default firmware, however it can void the warranty and you must know what you are doing.
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Jeffrey
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| said by Vamp  :I'm sorry I replied about hardware/router blocking and didn't even realize you mentioned it.. If the WRT54G is version 4.0 or previous (can see on the bottom of the router), then you can try Tomato Firmware (» www.polarcloud.com/tomato) or DD-WRT.... they add far more advanced parental controls than default firmware, however it can void the warranty and you must know what you are doing. Ah, well. They have version 5. I did not get them the GL. Ah well, thanks anyway.
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"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Jeffrey
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1 edit | reply to Greg_Z
Thanks Greg_Z . I did not originally see that info, nor does it appear evident right from the Parental Controls section of Vista that you can block individual applications on a time limit basis. I will delve into that tomorrow today based upon your post. Thanks. |
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Jeffrey
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| reply to Greg_Z
Greg_Z -- your post is informative, but it still doesn't appear to be enough.
From your post, I can block entire computer access between days/times and I can block or unblock entire programs, but I don't want to do either of those.
I wasnt to specifically block Internet use and Internet applications (IM, Email, Web browsing) for one account on this Vista machine between the hours of 10pm-6AM Sunday through Thurs. With Vista's built-in controls, it doesn't appear that I can do that unless I'm really missing something.
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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Springfield, IL
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| reply to Jeffrey
For programs, it is an All or none. Unless you are able to run by Policies, there is no way I have found to only allow during certain times for the programs to run.
Now of course if the parent is home, they can run it with their Password I do believe. I will have to try that next time my kids are over, due to I have to find a way to block my kids from trying to load MyspaceIM. |
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Jeffrey
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1 edit | said by Greg_Z :For programs, it is an All or none. Unless you are able to run by Policies, there is no way I have found to only allow during certain times for the programs to run. Now of course if the parent is home, they can run it with their Password I do believe. I will have to try that next time my kids are over, due to I have to find a way to block my kids from trying to load MyspaceIM. Yeah I need something that can block specific programs at specific times. I looked at one once, and that was a year ago, before Vista was even released. Can't even remember the name of it.
Edit: I found it. Kidswatch Time Control. This, I think, is the software application I looked at a year or two ago. Since Vista's built-in stuff can't do exactly what is needed, looks like I might give this a try.
»www.kidswatch.com/
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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Springfield, IL
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1 edit | It is not that hard for the parent to go in and change the restrictions for Program block or not. Once the kid gets used to only being able to do certain things at certain times, they will stop wanting to do that.
It is called Behaviour Modification.
The problem with computers, is that they have become Electronic Babysitters, just like TV's and Game systems. |
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Jeffrey
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| said by Greg_Z :It is not that hard for the parent to go in and change the restrictions for Program block or not. Once the kid gets used to only being able to do certain things at certain times, they will stop wanting to do that. It is called Behaviour Modification. Trust me, I agree. But this parent in question is pretty computer illiterate. Honestly, she can turn the machine on and get to her webmail and that's just about it.
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"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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Springfield, IL | Introduce her to basic computer classes. Our local Comm College, and Adult education Center has classes all of the time, plus the parent will get something out of it. |
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Jeffrey
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| said by Greg_Z :Introduce her to basic computer classes. Our local Comm College, and Adult education Center has classes all of the time, plus the parent will get something out of it. I will suggest that, but I don't think she has the time. She's a high school teacher herself, and I think the last thing she wants to do is spend time at the school. I will mention it though, she has to get up to speed sooner or later.
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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| Then she may be in luck, due to there are usually resources available, and if there is a Teacher workshop available for Beginning or Intermediate computers, she may be able to find out.
The plus side is, if she is working on an advance degree like most teachers nowdays, it can help push her into a better position with her school, or the district. |
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Jeffrey
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| said by Greg_Z :Then she may be in luck, due to there are usually resources available, and if there is a Teacher workshop available for Beginning or Intermediate computers, she may be able to find out. The plus side is, if she is working on an advance degree like most teachers nowdays, it can help push her into a better position with her school, or the district. Let me tell you, you make a lot of sense! I'll suggest it to her, and whatever she has time for, she has time for. 4 kids, a job, and a mortgage make time short I'm sure, but one always has room for jello, so to speak! 
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"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your foresight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [RIP Millie 1993-2006]
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Greg_Z
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·Comcast
| When I was working for Cingular, I was taking online courses with Kaplan University, and one of the courses that I got an easy A in was belive it not, Introduction to MicroComputers. And this is from someone that has been around computers since 1978, when I was about 12. |
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Greg_Z
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Springfield, IL
·Comcast
| reply to Jeffrey
I do belive that Microsoft should look at Parental Controls and refine them. One reason that I limit to using them, is due to only a certain amount of change can be done.
Vamp may be on the right track, now that I reflect back on our posts. Only thing about that, is the kid smart enough to bypass the router by changing the MAC on the machine, or IP?
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I threw out the map a long time ago. Now I follow my own direction! |
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TwKs
join:2007-04-29 | reply to Jeffrey
As for AOL, it has built in parental controls and you can set it to auto sign off at x time and to not be able to sign back on at x time. As for the others, not sure. |
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