timekpr Grows Up ( or “Why I Love Open Source” )
Back in February, I had the need to limit the amount of time my kids spent on a shared Ubuntu box. I cobbled together a simple script that would give a warning then shutdown the user session. It worked for me (made my kids unhappy, tho’), but I knew it could be better. Dispite my full knowledge it was a cheesy little script, I posted it on my blog since it fit I need I had as a Dad that I thought others might have.
Well, a number of folks have commented, posted bug fixes and enhancements, even translated it to Hungarian! A few hours ago, one of the folks that had offered others help and enhancements on Ubuntu Forums, Even Nedberg, posted a comment to the old blog entry that he and a friend had converted the script to Python and added a GUI and other cool enhancements.They have even set up a project at launchpad.net to make the code more accessible.
Wow! I have been pretty busy this summer, and couldn’t have hoped to provide these types enhancements, but thanks to the spirit of open source and the need to “scratch an itch”, ‘timekpr’ has grown up, and is on it’s way to becoming a really useful (and needed) tool for the Linux desktop.
.nedberg and forger - Please take this blog entry as my permission to use the name ‘timekpr’ and any code or ideas in the original script (please don’t take the bugs, I’ll keep those!) and just go wild. I know parents will greatly appreciate you efforts!
7 Responses to “timekpr Grows Up ( or “Why I Love Open Source” )”
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September 28th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Chris, I’ve tried several times to update you on the progress and post this information to your blog. It seems I am either filtered or moderated out. Apparently I have offended you somehow. My apologies.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
hmmm, I’m not filtering you - that I know of. I don’t always dig through the Akismet filtered messages. Maybe Akismet is being a bad boy.
Actually, I am very thankful for you bring this script to the attention of the folks on Ubuntu Forums. Your interest has contributed a lot in getting others interested.
Have you seen the Hungarian language ping-backs? What a hoot! I couldn’t find a web translator to figure out what was said, but it very cool just the same!
September 28th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I have not, but it’s already in the Spanish Ubuntu forums stickies. I couldn’t read most of it either but I gather it’s being looked upon favorably. Below is a direct link to my blog that is now mostly about timekpr and it’s history. I maintain it for myself and other family members and friends. I keep the latest deb file and install information available. Please grab the deb file and post on your blog for easy download by your readers. I really want to thank you, Even, and Savvas. It has really done it’s job in my house. My kids don’t even hate it anymore. They are now very mindful of their usage so as not to run out of time. What a change!
-Charles Jackson
September 28th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I think I’ve found out what is causing my messages to fail at posting. It seems I can’t post a link. I’ll try it again..
http://buck-nasty.blogspot.com/2008/09/timekeepr-keep-control-of-your-computer.html
Without the quotes of course…
September 28th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
forger/medigeek/Savvas here
Thanks for letting us use timekpr, we wanted to use it partly because we wanted to show it as a continued project and partly because we couldn’t actually think of a better catchy name 
September 28th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
bucknasty - yup, Aksimet was eating your posts with links - sorry about that.
forger - If that the most I contribute is the name, I am a happy camper!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Thank for letting us use the name! We all love Open Source!