[plug] [OT] Interesting Computer Idea (for parents?)

[Chris Caston]

On Wed, 2004-11-17 at 19:35, Timothy White wrote:
> I had this idea that would be use full to parents. I know that you can 
> have a system set up to allow different access to different 
> programs/websites at different times (and login access at different times.)
> What about a system that allowed or denied access to programs(or groups 
> of programs) depending on a password or 'access token' given by a person 
> of higher authority.
> 
> Imagine this.
> Your son says that he is going on the computer to do homework, fine, you 
> walk in and he has Openoffice open and what looks like it could be a 
> science report is sitting there with the cursor blinking mid sentence. 
> But on a different Desktop he has a game open or is surfing the net.
> 
> The solution.
> When your child logs in they can use any application from a certain 
> group (can change on a time basis, e.g. office suite and educational 
> programs during the week and anything over the weekend.) After login if 
> they can then ask to use games or the net and to 'unlock' them you have 
> to type in a password, or a once off 'token' that unlocks the 
> applications for a certain time frame, (could be until logoff or the end 
> of the day, not just a set amount of time) they could have multiple 
> groups unlocked as well so if you didn't mind them playing games and 
> surfing the net then easy.
> 
> The Problem. How can this be easily implemented?
> Problems:
> 1) It has to work REGARDLESS of the method used to start the application 
> (X, Terminal, ...)
> 2) It forces users to use a defined set of programs, what if the game 
> they want isn't in the games group because it's obscure? ...
> 3) What happens if they are still running the program at the end of the 
> time? A grace period then a kill?
> 4) How do you stop them running other programs? ps the user and kill all 
> applications not in a defined list (works under windows)
> 5) Add more here
> 
> If people know of a system that achieves this already then PLEASE point 
> me to it, other wise please post your tips about implementing this. 
> Also, if you want to help implement this then once I have some direction 
> I will put it on SF and people can start help.
> Thanks
> Tim

The problem with such systems is that they only restrict the least
brightest of children who cannot figure out how to disable them.

Look at the problem from a human perspective with the solutions based
around communication, understanding and trust.

regards,

Chris