Looking for ways to limit access to a Windows Program

[Mark Phillips]

Joseph,

Thanks - I will checkout the GPE option.

I also thought about port limiting, but I am not sure how to approach the problem. I guess some sort of port sniffer to detect activity, and then a timer to see how long she is playing. Not sure how to do it in Python or Java.

Mark
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Sinclair <plug-discussion at stcaz.net>

Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:44:19 
To: <mark at phillipsmarketing.biz>; Main PLUG discussion list<plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Subject: Re: Looking for ways to limit access to a Windows Program


I think (if I recall correctly) that you can limit her usage of the program by editing the system policy for that program.  You need to know the active executable (not the launcher, the active in-memory program it launches) and use the "Group Policy Editor" (gpe.msc) tool for XP (it assumes an AD domain, but you can edit the local policy if you look for it).
It's a bit tricky, you should do some googling for the precise steps to take before launching the tool.  You need to be running XP Professional or higher for this to work.
BE VERY CAREFUL, GPE can turn your computer into a fancy (albeit noisy) bookend pretty easily, so be certain you're clear on the correct steps before making any changes.

==Joseph++

P.S. you may be able to limit network access more easily than editing the specific program, but I've never tried that.

Mark Phillips wrote:
> I have a daughter who is spending too much time on WoW (World of
> Warcraft). I am looking for suggestions for the following:
> 
> 1. ways to monitor usage of WoW
> 2. ways to set limits on the amount of time it is available - i.e. 1
> hour/day M-F.
> 
> WoW runs on Windows XP and uses TCP and UDP on port 3724. My router
> (Linksys BEFSX41) will only limit ports on a schedule (i.e. Friday 5-7
> PM) and not on usage.
> 
> I have found one program called KidsWatch (http://www.kidswatch.com/)
> that looks like it will do what I want.
> 
> I am wondering if there are other solutions that some of you have used,
> or if anyone has used Kidswatch before.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Mark
> 
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