[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by SC_Wolf * I don’t think that schools have gotten to the point where they require a computer for homework. (Too many households out there that still don’t have a computer after all.)Make him write out the reports longhand, and do his research at the public library.
Sure, maybe a student who attends a riff-raff public school doesn’t need one, and can hand in sloppy reports written in pen. But my kid attends a private school that’s almost 5k a semester. Handing in reports written in hand is not acceptable. They require everything be typed out, and it’s far easier for him to do this on a computer then on an old typewriter.
**A minor’s computer usage should be at the discression of the head of the household, and he clearly can’t obey your simple rules for using the computer. Therefore, his computer privleges should be yanked. **
I have banned his computer use from time to time. But you have to pick your battles you know. I did not ask for parenting advice, just advice on how to block this one program.
Listen: At his age punishing him is nowhere near as much fun as fucking with his head.
I wouldn’t mind it if he removed it off the hard drive after each use, but he always forgets. What I envision is a scenario where he tries to install the program and the computer says “No way kid” and he sits with a dumb look on his face, me trying to withhold my laughter.
A little Googleing found a piece of software called OnGuard that may do the trick for you. There are probably other pieces of software in this category, it’s just the first I came across.
you can’t kid a kidder … it’s me mom, found your post in the temp internet files
seriously though, just right click on the the AIM icon and close it if you think it’s bogging down your system. this will clear it from memory (sorta)
aim is great and cheaper than phone (though i’m sure you’re not worried about your phone bill if you’re sending your brat to berkshire) … if you really want to mess with him, change your isp to AOL and buy a 14.4 modem on ebay
I think this is one of those fights you shouldn’t have picked. Whatever method you use will slow down your computer much more then aim. THe simplest way would be install zone alarm (free) and block the port. Aim will install but not connect.
Other ways involve setting up user accounts with limited privlages and software that is used for public use computers - all of which would be much more herky jerky then aim.
THat said aim is not causing your problem - you have something else running or just soo much crap running that maybe aim pushes it over the top. Perhaps your key cactching program is causing it (if not the hardware one).
Kids use IM’s to communicate - It is different then using the phone and very useful in quick questions - you can ask at your leasure and the other person can answer at his. Be thankful that he is not tying up the phone.
Hey PKBITES - I live in your neck of the woods. How bout I gather up some of my jabeeps and we throw the boy a blanket party? I can be anywhere in Milwaukee in fifteen minutes. Cash on delivery, if you know what I mean.
ugh. I bet you’re glad to not live there anymore. I’m way the heck over on the west side, by the zoo.
The machine is on Windows 98. It’s got to be the AIM doing it. The only time the machine slows down is when he has AIM installed on it. I install all kinds of programs (Win TV, digital camera, internet web camera, this/that/the other, etc., etc.) with not problems. As soon as he installs AIM: BOOM! The computer acts up, and keeps acting up until it’s removed.
Couldn’t you write a small daemon to check for AIM in the registry (or something) and automatically call its uninstall and reboot? Not quite blocking it from installing, but close.
Since you’ve got Windows 98, give this a try. I guess maybe I shouldn’t have put the bit about the elctroshock on the end, but the rest of this is for real and serious.
Like dylan_73 said, you can get Trillian, which lets you communicate on AIM, along with ICQ, IRC, Yahoo, and MSN. That way, the kid has his AIM, and your computer doesn’t get bogged down.
