Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Parental Time Control Software.

Ratings

Feature Set

We looked at the number of useful features available. The best products not only monitor access and time, but also provide reporting and support restriction of additional items such as programs, games, chat or downloads.

Ease of Use

This criterion evaluates how easy a program is to use.

Ease of Installation/Setup

This criterion relates to how quick the program downloads and whether problems occur during the download or set up process.

Technical Support/Help

Product support is extremely important, we looked at whether the product comes with a user guide as well as customer support contact methods such as email forms, telephone numbers or online documentation like FAQs, forums and tutorials.

Time Control Effectiveness

Time control software should control access and time limits to the computer, Internet or other applications exactly how the administrator (parents) set them.

Features

Individual Profile Setup/Wizard

This is where you set up individual accounts and establish the limits or restrictions to be implemented.

Password Controls

Administrative controls such as setting limits and adding users is password protected.

Daily Time Limits

The amount of time a specific user can access the computer per day.

Weekly Time Limits

The total time a specific user can access the computer per week.

Monthly Time Limits

The total time a specific user can use the computer per month.

Specific Time Restrictions

Certain times of the day, like late at night or when parental supervision is unavailable, can be completely blocked..

Specific Time Length Restrictions

Similar to a session limit, this features limits the time a user may be logged on.

Session Limits

A session limit controls one period of use and manages how much time has to pass before the next log in.

Software Program Specific Restrictions

Setup a weekly schedule to control when and how long your children can use specific programs that are loaded on your computer.

Game Specific Restrictions

Setup a weekly schedule to control when and how long your children can play games that are loaded on your computer.

Internet Usage Restrictions

Restrict or limit online messaging, email, surfing the Internet or playing games.

Multi-Level Protection

This feature will monitor and prevent users from changing the computer’s date and time, configurations set by the administrators and critical Windows settings like the Registry, Task Manager, Date/Time settings, and so forth.

User Type - Multiple Levels of Restrictions

User types include Children, Teenagers, Young Adults, Adults, Custom, etc. This allows for various levels of time limits and restrictions for every member of your family depending on their maturity, age, habits and parental control needs.

Service or Program Specific Access

This control will only allow specific services or programs, such as email, to be accessed by the user. These limitations are set by the administrator.

Website Specific Access

This control can be used to limit access to a specific website.

Warning Messages

These are displayed at various intervals alerting the user that their time is about to expire and they should save their work.

View Remaining Time

The program will allow the user to see how much time is left at any time.

Pause & Continue

The user can pause their use of the computer, service, game, etc. and continue at a later time.

Immediate Overriding of Restrictions/Blocks

This feature allows a password to be used to override any restrictions, limitations or blocks that have been placed on the user.

Temporary Restriction Bypass

The user can enter a password to temporarily bypass the restriction or limitation that the administrator has placed. This way you can allow your children to extend any of their restrictions for that day with a one–time–use password.

Temporary Lockout of Computer

This allows you to lock out the user from the computer temporarily.

Microsoft Windows Features Restrictions

Restrict Access to Selected Drives

Limit or restrict access to the contents of a specific drive.

Restrict access to Control Panel and Network controls

Users will have limited access, no access or certain Windows features may be disabled. The list of Control Panel and Network controls include features like Add or Remove programs, Run Command on the Start Menu, Taskbar and Start Menu Property Changes, Dial–up Connections, Display Property Changes, Windows Update Website, Windows Getting Started Welcome Screen, Task Manager Property Changes, Change Password Button and Access to Command Prompt.

Reporting

Notification e-mails

Receive a notification via email with a full description and sometimes an attached screen–shot of blocked operations on your kids’ computer.

Emailed Report

Receive daily, weekly or monthly reports of the daily, weekly or monthly activities of the users you’re monitoring.

Activity Reports/Monitoring - Computer Usage

The report indicates the length of time that the child used the computer.

Activity Reports/Monitoring - Visited Web Sites

The report displays the websites accessed and how long the user accessed them.

Activity Reports/Monitoring - Program Usage

The report displays the programs accessed and how long the user accessed them.

Other Features

Remote Administration

This feature allows you to extend, reduce, lock, bypass and reinstate restrictions remotely from any PC on your network.

Stealth Options

Prevent users from installing new programs or games and accessing Control Panel functions, by hiding components such as CD–Rom, hard drive, etc.

Network Compatible

Wired or wireless–the program can be used on a network (more than 1 computer connected to a server) using a wired or a wi–fi (wireless) setup. This is a plus if you are using this type of software in the work place to monitor the time that employees aren’t on task on their computers.

Unlimited User Accounts

You can set up as many user accounts as you need and monitor and control each one.

Free Updates

The manufacturer periodically will offer updates for their program free of charge to their customers.

Subscriptions

This program requires a monthly or annual subscription fee.

Secure Online Order Form with SSL Encryption

This program offers an encrypted ordering page for safe and secure ordering of the software program.

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