User restrictions

[Xanophile]

Is there an application that would allow someone to place restrictions
on user accounts, but not necessarily the same restrictions?

For example, the computer I'm trying to set up is for a mother with 4
children. 2 are under 10, 2 are in their teens. Her computer is
constantly getting messed up by playing online games or just stupid acts
done by stupid children. But with the age gaps, their needs are all
different. The teens need access to wordprocessors, online, etc,
whereas the younger ones just need to be locked out from online access
and without any ability *whatsoever* of making system changes and
absolutely NO access to the start menu. Only access to icons available
on their desktop.

There's got to be *something* out there........?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Try the registered version of MVP Doug Knox's Security Console for WinXP
Home:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Tom]

Is there an application that would allow someone to place restrictions
on user accounts, but not necessarily the same restrictions?

For example, the computer I'm trying to set up is for a mother with 4
children. 2 are under 10, 2 are in their teens. Her computer is
constantly getting messed up by playing online games or just stupid acts
done by stupid children. But with the age gaps, their needs are all
different. The teens need access to wordprocessors, online, etc,
whereas the younger ones just need to be locked out from online access
and without any ability *whatsoever* of making system changes and
absolutely NO access to the start menu. Only access to icons available
on their desktop.

There's got to be *something* out there........?

XP Pro or Home Edition?

 

[Xanophile]

XP Pro or Home Edition?

XP Pro.

 

[Xanophile]

Hi,

Try the registered version of MVP Doug Knox's Security Console for WinXP
Home:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

This would work in XP Pro? If it would, and could only be accessed by
admin, it might work great. I could go through and set up groups and
permissions and p*ss away the day that way, but I'd rather have
something fast and easy that I can also change on the fly when need be.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Yes, it will work in WinXP Pro, Doug designed it mainly for Home systems
that do not have policy editors. Set permissions on the folder it is in to
block other user accounts from opening and changing the configurations.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Tom]

XP Pro.

Create accounts for each (age) group, then set the level of operability.
e.g. The kids can have limited accounts, the teens can be power users, with limitations set in the group policy editor. You can be the administrator.

 

[Xanophile]

Create accounts for each (age) group, then set the level of operability.
e.g. The kids can have limited accounts, the teens can be power users, with limitations set in the group policy editor. You can be the administrator.

That's just the problem. I don't want to have to deal with these people
on a daily basis. A program that would be easy to understand is the
best option. Otherwise the mother will constantly be calling me to ask
how to do this, how to do that, they want to do this. If the policies
are a matter of a check box, then I can just say 'click that.'

I've tried using group policies before, and it turned into a nightmare.
Needless to say, the mother isn't exactly attentive, so she just gave
them her password and let them completely mess up her profile. Filled
it full of add-on crap, toolbars, spyware and everything else you can
think of. Including a keylogger.

No, I don't expect much to change, but I'm hoping that by placing a
little bit of power with the mother (in simple check box form) she'll
begin to excercise that power and not just give in again.

But, like I said, I don't expect a whole lot to change. Hopefully, it
will, but.......not likely.

I *won't* accept this computer into my shop again, though! ARGH!

 

[Tom]

That's just the problem. I don't want to have to deal with these people
on a daily basis. A program that would be easy to understand is the
best option. Otherwise the mother will constantly be calling me to ask
how to do this, how to do that, they want to do this. If the policies
are a matter of a check box, then I can just say 'click that.'

I've tried using group policies before, and it turned into a nightmare.
Needless to say, the mother isn't exactly attentive, so she just gave
them her password and let them completely mess up her profile. Filled
it full of add-on crap, toolbars, spyware and everything else you can
think of. Including a keylogger.

No, I don't expect much to change, but I'm hoping that by placing a
little bit of power with the mother (in simple check box form) she'll
begin to excercise that power and not just give in again.

But, like I said, I don't expect a whole lot to change. Hopefully, it
will, but.......not likely.

I *won't* accept this computer into my shop again, though! ARGH!

Then don't accept it, but that isn't good customer support is it? If she doesn't want to tend to her PC, then she is going to get what she doesn't want to have to tend to, and maybe you clue her into this. Setting up accounts will do exactly what she wants to do, and as a shop owner, you shouldn't be responsible for having to monitor ands do personal setup of the OS as it is needed for the family at hand, rather that should be up to the family head.

 

[Xanophile]

Then don't accept it, but that isn't good customer support is it? If she doesn't want to tend to her PC, then she is going to get what she doesn't want to have to tend to, and maybe you clue her into this. Setting up accounts will do exactly what she wants to do, and as a shop owner, you shouldn't be responsible for having to monitor ands do personal setup of the OS as it is needed for the family at hand, rather that should be up to the family head.

Uummm.........that makes no sense.

 

[Tom]

Uummm.........that makes no sense.

Bottom line, you shouldn't be responsible for setting up user accounts for the customer, unless you have earnings at stake. If she cannot control her children, her best bet is to limit them with certain accounts. As a person providing help (as you state that they call you), you should know how to do this anyway.

 

[Xanophile]

Bottom line, you shouldn't be responsible for setting up user accounts for the customer, unless you have earnings at stake. If she cannot control her children, her best bet is to limit them with certain accounts. As a person providing help (as you state that they call you), you should know how to do this anyway.

Isn't that what this whole thread is about? Limiting them? It's the
varying degrees of limitation, and putting the control in the mothers'
hands (in a manner that's as direct and simple as possible), that I'm
working towards.

Just setting up accounts and restrictions is exactly what I did for her
the last time she brought the pc in. She couldn't figure out how to
change those restrictions, so she gave up her password to her kids
rather than having to actually *think.* EVEN THOUGH I left a whole
freakin' manual with her that I took the time to create, and print out
(including screenshots from her own computer). Just setting
restrictions *doesn't work.* The administrator has to have working
knowledge of the how's and why's. Otherwise you're just clicking
"enabled" without a clue as to what you just enabled.

And yes, it is my responsibility to set up the accounts, since that's
what she's paying me to do. And, yes, I can refuse her as a client if
she's not willing to take my advice, or spend money on a few lessons,
yet comes back repeatedly with the same issues.

 

[Tom]

Isn't that what this whole thread is about? Limiting them? It's the
varying degrees of limitation, and putting the control in the mothers'
hands (in a manner that's as direct and simple as possible), that I'm
working towards.

Yes it is, and you do not go out of your way to limit her, even though you state you set these up.

Just setting up accounts and restrictions is exactly what I did for her
the last time she brought the pc in. She couldn't figure out how to
change those restrictions, so she gave up her password to her kids
rather than having to actually *think.* EVEN THOUGH I left a whole
freakin' manual with her that I took the time to create, and print out
(including screenshots from her own computer). Just setting
restrictions *doesn't work.* The administrator has to have working
knowledge of the how's and why's. Otherwise you're just clicking
"enabled" without a clue as to what you just enabled.

Well, it is obvious to me that she wants to make changes that seem to differ from day to day, it is then that you should wash your hands of it; trust me, no other would go through this constantly, unless there was a substantial fee. If she wants to pay you for every change, for her to then come back and ask again because she cannot figure it out, charge her, and explain it in those terms. She'll get tired of paying out bucks sooner or later, and you wouldn't be the only provider to put this onus on her.

And yes, it is my responsibility to set up the accounts, since that's
what she's paying me to do. And, yes, I can refuse her as a client if
she's not willing to take my advice, or spend money on a few lessons,
yet comes back repeatedly with the same issues.

Well, you can either do your own research (google is incredible) on how to make changes on the fly, and charge for it. If she keeps coming back with the same issues, you need to either learn more yourself (no one here is going to give you a comprehensive FAQ on the intricacies of using the Group Policy Editor), or lay down the line on her.

But I will be honest in questioning your willingness to do this, though you say you provide help. You give no examples here of what was done, so me thinks (and I'll say this is a guess, whether you like it or not), that you are looking for how to make changes and not her, because you are locked out with certain restrictions. I am done with this thread now!

 

[Xanophile]

Yes it is, and you do not go out of your way to limit her, even though you state you set these up.




Well, it is obvious to me that she wants to make changes that seem to differ from day to day, it is then that you should wash your hands of it; trust me, no other would go through this constantly, unless there was a substantial fee. If she wants to pay you for every change, for her to then come back and ask again because she cannot figure it out, charge her, and explain it in those terms. She'll get tired of paying out bucks sooner or later, and you wouldn't be the only provider to put this onus on her.




Well, you can either do your own research (google is incredible) on how to make changes on the fly, and charge for it. If she keeps coming back with the same issues, you need to either learn more yourself (no one here is going to give you a comprehensive FAQ on the intricacies of using the Group Policy Editor), or lay down the line on her.

But I will be honest in questioning your willingness to do this, though you say you provide help. You give no examples here of what was done, so me thinks (and I'll say this is a guess, whether you like it or not), that you are looking for how to make changes and not her, because you are locked out with certain restrictions. I am done with this thread now!

Mmmm.......uh-huh. O.K. buddy. Whatever.

It's obvious you don't work with people, or computers. If you did,
you'd have a clue how the real world works.

You just keep reading your white papers and catch up on those unread "I
wish I was a pc tech" newsletters.

 

[Xanophile]

Hi,

Yes, it will work in WinXP Pro, Doug designed it mainly for Home systems
that do not have policy editors. Set permissions on the folder it is in to
block other user accounts from opening and changing the configurations.

I downloaded a copy and it works on everything but the start menu, as
far as restricting access to "all programs," anyway. The youngest ones
don't need access to that. A registry change fixed it, though.

Thanks for the tip! Great little program!