IDEA: Public PC Timer

[thankusan]

On windows startup a countup timer started in a floating window(unclosable). On an idle time of say 5 minutes(option for setting) the timer resets to 00:00:00. and starts countup on pc activation (keyboard or mouse movement). The timer 'on' and 'off' time is logged into a file. An option to hide(not disable) screensaver settings. A password protection would be added to this program to improve security.

[togikun]

What would be the purpose of such a program? To just see how long every single person uses the computer?

[thankusan]

The purpose is exactly the same. A desktop blocking screen or screensaver could be added on startup as well as on idle time so one could enter his name which will be further logged into the log file.

[thankusan]

To avoid confusion the idea may be shortened, ie; a timer which resets on idle time and starts again on pc activation.

[jgpaiva]

Ok, here it is.

Attached to this post, there are 2 versions of the scipt:
A compiled version wich has the 5 minutes of idle time hardcoded, and
The source code, which has the 5 minutes configurable though the variable "timetoReset", in minutes. (fractions can be used)

If you'd like to change the 5 minutes to something else, download and install autohotkey, edit the .ahk file with notepad, and change the 5 to something else.

[edit] added always on top [/edit]

[thankusan]

Thanks for the great program.
This is what I have been looking for to use in my cyber cafe. This is simply simple and self explainable. Is it possible to add a log into it ie; timer on 9.30 timer off 9.50 timer on 9.55 timer off 10.30 and so on along with an option to hide screensaver settings.

[jgpaiva]

Well.. If you have a cyber cafe, you probably should be looking for some more developed solutions, more adequate to your situation.

Anyways, here are some tips:
If you're running windows XP pro, run "gpedit.msc", and open user configuration -> administrative templates. Then browse those options, i bet you'll find a bunch of interesting stuff for your situation there.

Also check tweakui, it allows you to disable the display settings (and thus the screensaver settings) IIRC.

As for the log... Currently with the code as it is, it's impossible to add. I'll try to add it when i have time.

[thankusan]

Ofcourse ..There are more developed programs, but all of them are client server based and are more complicated along with its easiness. An exception is only cafecop desktop(freeware) edition, But in this one the manager has to go to each pc to logoff the timer unless the client forgots to do it. Is it possible to add an auto logoff (for timer and not windows) to cafecop. Could you please try this on free time.

I do have another request, ie; is it possible to kill all the running programs when the 'usage timer' resets to 0.There are readily available programs but the same will kill 'usage timer' also along with other programs.

Anyway this 'usage timer' is very helpful to me that I set the screensaver settings to 4 minutes to check wheather there is any presence of user in the system and if it is undisturbed the timer resets on 5 mins. My purpose is not to limit the users but just to show their usage time. Would be better if the timer popup to 'on top' every half hour or one hour.

[jgpaiva]

Well... Killing all the processes can't be done, or the computer would shutdown! (there are some processes you can't kill ) And autohotkey doesn't have any way to distinguish from user processes and system processes

But i added the "bring to top every hour" thing.

[thankusan]

Sorry.. You have mistaken,

I didn't mean all the processes but all the programs or in other words just to close all the open windows. If this is not possible I may substitute the program 'shutter' for the pupose, and it will auto logoff the pc closing the programs. But each program for each need may make a mess.
I also tried simple activity logger so that it will logg the screensaver activity(on and off), which is almost same (with one minute diference) to the 'usagetimer' activity. But it just added one more program for the purpose.

[thankusan]

Hello..

I had to face some difficulties when I applied the program. If a second client comes on the pc before 5 minutes the timer does not reset itself. So is it possible to add a reset(not button) to the timer from the server machine. Not pointing to remote desktop, but a command line or something that just restarts the timer.

[belkira]

You could just use the screensaver I have attached. It will logoff after x amount of idle time.
After you have it setup just change your settings in gpedit so nobody can edit your screensaver properties.

[jgpaiva]

thankusan: if you run the program again, it'll close the running instance and thus restart the counter.

[thankusan]

Sorry jgpaiva,

Wonder why I coudn,t think of such a simple thing. Thanks a lot. Let me know how to make the window on top.

belkira....  I just don't want to logoff but to close all other active program window except usage timer. But as an alternative I was using logoff method.

[jgpaiva]

You'd like to have the timer window always on top?

[thankusan]

Yes always on top would be better.

[jgpaiva]

Done. Check the above post for the download

[thankusan]

Sorry...Could not find the file for download 

[jgpaiva]

Sorry, i wasn't explicit. I edited my last post.
Check here