Mac Parental Controls

Few months pass since my son started to use a mac (MacMini for MiniMe) and now my daughter started to sneak to his (or mine) as well. As she uses computers for over 5 years now, she developed some 'skills' that allows her to access sites, bypassing Glubble and other solutions.
For example, she found how to use IE and FF to get the protective tools confused...

(I do not know if I am more proud or concern at this point...)

But as she started using the Mac, the situation is under control.
I started to use Apple Mac OS Parental Controls.

After a simple setup (see bellow), she has her own user and can use the system/Internet safely.









Now, I am looking for a solution to make sure there is no hot chocolate around my keyboard...
(And no, keep saying that does not help...)



Progress made in small steps...

E.T.

Mac Mini 4 Mini Me

Should young kids have their own computers?
Yes, especially when the alternative is for them to destroy my computers...
Ever since they were 2.5 years old, they did.

At the beginning, we used Comfy. A great Israeli product that supports over 21 languages!

So, our kids utilized our old laptops/desktops.
As most of the content is online, we are using Glubble to control their access (Some great features include the capability to receive access request via eMail, easy bookmarks and kids friendly homepage).

So all was well.

Until few weeks ago when my son came to me and said:

"... I do not like my computer... It is too slow and I do not like to blue sky and grass image and it is too slow and I want a one like yours and like I have in my school..."

Well, what can I say... The kids want a Mac...

So, I took the 'old' MacMini, added a monitor and an old keyboard and the kids is MacNative...
And now, my iKid continues to ride his iBike, play with the iDog, annoy the iSister and love his iMommy. Not bad for a 4 years old...

:-)

E.T.

Under The Radar: The Business of Web Apps (1/...)

Today I am at the Under the Radar event.


Some comments from the first session.

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http://www.splashtop.com

Interesting virtualization software that tries to make the experience of starting working on the PC as simple as open your mobile phone/PDA. They showed a demo of booting a PC and have some apps running with in 12 seconds. (cool if you like Linux apps). The Windows XP was booting in the background...

It seems that 'hibernate / sleep-mode' is doing some of this things al ready - as long as you have no problem with Power. Is it greener or safer to have the PC off.

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http://www.elastra.com/

Sorry - Did not understand what, how and why they are doing what they are doing.
I tried.
So - here is an image that may help you.

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http://www.jumpbox.com/

Presented a solution for the consumer / small business solution for virtual computer that could run on top of the current OS and virtualization apps.
The demo included 'easy' configuration process.
There is a nice collection of open source apps and tools as part of the 'box'.

This make 'playing' with new and open source application easy and less risky.
However, it is not free.

Support is optional and on top of the package (~$200 per instance per year).
The support is for the jumpbox and not for the applications on top of it.

I think it could be a great 'sandbox' for POC and demos, before running the applications on your hardware.

---

http://www.universant.com

They (re)worked the main business processes and application functions and offer them as a open source platform.

From my experience in enterprises it is hard to offer 'one size fits all' and have most of your customers happy - especially in the SMB market.

---

Overall - the potential is clear.
It was interesting to see the focus on the consumer and SMB markets. Especially the consumer one. Running virtual OS / computer for non-business reasons is interesting.

Time to juice the laptop...

To be continue (if I find a power source...)

E.T.

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