Sunday, September 21, 2008

Timekeepr - Keep control of computer usage

This program will track and control the computer usage of your user accounts. You can limit their daily usage based on a timed access duration and configure periods of day when they can or cannot log in. With this application, administrators can limit account login time duration or account access hours.

DEVELOPMENT:

  • This program is heavily depended on Linux-PAM and its time and access modules.
  • Beta 5 has been released, and now supports Ubuntu, Kubuntu & Xbuntu version 8.04 and 8.10 - Special thanks to .nedberg for this much anticipated release.
  • If you would like to contribute to the code, join the timekpr-maintainers team on launchpad.
  • Current status indicated below:
    - Ubuntu Hardy: Works
    - Ubuntu Intrepid: Works
    - Kubuntu Hardy KDE3: Works
    - Kubuntu Interpid KDE4: Works
    - Xubuntu Hardy: Works

HISTORY & CREDITS:

  • This project was born after Charles Jackson's (crjackson) request for a program that time-limits user accounts:
    Ubuntu Forums. You can also find a progression of the history posted at the
    Bucknasty. blog.
  • This is a complete re-write in python and vast improvement from the original timekpr bash script:
    Waggledance.
  • Even Nedberg initially began to improve the original bash script from Chris Jackson. Savvas Radević packaged it and soon began co-development.
  • Special thanks go to Charles Jackson (crjackson), who has contributed a lot by suggesting, brainstorming useful features, writing the initial blueprint, and
    being the primary tester.
  • We would also like to thank all the people posting to that topic in ubuntu forums for their comments.

Additional Information
Developers Even Nedberg and Savvas Radević (or .nedberg and forger) of the Ubuntu forums have rewritten the package using python as opposed to the bash shell script of it's previous form. timekpr now has a full featured interface with the ability to change and grow as needed. The beta 3 release adds support for both KDE and Xfce versions of Ubuntu 8.04 & 8.10.

I have requested an additional feature of a black-out setting that would let you slice a chunk of time right out of the normally allowable login hours. This would be for designated home work time, or other required activities. Please bookmark this page for future updates.
- Charles

INSTRUCTIONS
Download the deb file and double click on it to install. Configure your users, click apply and then quit when done. Just remember to check back here to always get the latest version available.

Intrepid Ibex Users should install by adding Even's PPA repository to there software sources list, and then use your package manager to install. This will always give you the latest version and keep your system updated.

Stable repository:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/timekpr-maintainers/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/timekpr-maintainers/ubuntu intrepid main


Development repository:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/nedberg/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/nedberg/ubuntu intrepid main


Prior to installation, you must Un-install any previous versions by running the code below in a terminal session.
sudo dpkg --purge timekpr


Blogged with the Flock Browser

Okay, I,m testing the Flock Browser for my Bolggin Needs

This is a test of the Flock Browser.  If this works out, I'll be removing "ScribeFire" from Firefox 3 and using this.  I haven't have much luck lately with ScribeFire sooo...  I hope this works out.  Well it seems to work very well so far.  Not much choice in font sizes and control, the the blog site itself is limited.  When using ScribeFire I have lots of choices in font contro, the only problem is that the Blog Site doesn't accept them properly and that's been causing problems.  I would prefer to be limited by my blogging application in a manner that reflects the capabilities of the actual posting site.  At least the bolg won't look messed up when some one views it.

I'll be blogging more today about the progress of Timekeeper.  It has come a long way and need a new blog post to reference.  I'll explain more on that later.

Friday, September 5, 2008

timekpr.sh - Limit Daily Desktop Usage in Ubuntu

NEW GUI VERSION
Here is the install script: install_timekpr.sh - Download the script to your desktop, open up a terminal and paste the following into the terminal. cd Desktop (remember to use a capital 'D') sudo bash install_timekpr.sh

This script will make sure you have the latest version. You still need to edit /etc/rc.local and add /usr/local/bin/timekpr.sh & to make the script run at boot. The GUI should be self explanatory, but here is a short how-to:
Select the user you wish to configure
  1. Check "Use limits" if you want to use timed limits
    a) Set the "Every day" limit or
    b) Check "Configure single days" and set different limits for every day of the week

  2. Check "Use boundaries" if you want to control when the user can log in
    a) Set the "Every day" boundaries or
    b) Check "configure single boundaries" and set different boundaries for every day of the week

  3. Click "Apply" if you want to configure another user, OK if you are finished or Cancel to just exit.

To Un-Restrict a user, select the username, uncheck both "Use limits" and "Use boundaries" and click Apply/OK


Blogged with the Flock Browser