UserTime at home

Computers in the home are now common place. It is almost impossible to ignore the impact they have on family life. UserTime helps you to approach the use of computers in the home from a positive angle. Let the computer work for you rather than letting it drive you.

Your home's computer configuration is unique. UserTime is designed to operate in different ways to suit many different scenarios.

You can use this software for parental control. We recommend that you don't try to force your children into good computer useage habits, but that you work with them and communicate about the time they spend on the computer. UserTime is a great tool for helping with that as it will produce reports with graphs showing the usage over time.

Sharing computer time

A common scenario for a home is only one computer and everyone shares it.

UserTime can help you set up time allocation:

	Monitoring computer time. Configure UserTime to Keep track of the time different family members spend on the computer. This allows you to ensure that everyone gets an even share of computer time. If there are disagreements about who has been on for how long then you can look at the logs.
	Allocating shared time.  You can allocate a set amount of time each week for family members and make some house-rules about how the time is used. A quick glance at the total for the week or the day will help keep track of the time allocations.

Monitoring computer time

Increasingly we find that households have more than one computer and they are often networked together. In these scenarios sharing is not so much of an issue although it can become a problem if there is one new computer and one old one. If family members have their own computers then monitoring usage and/or limiting usage become more necessary than working out a way to share time.

	Limiting computer time. Although computers can be a great tool, they can also absorb a lot of time. It is a good idea to monitor the time your children spend on the computer and ensure that it doesn't exceed reasonable boundaries.
	Monitoring Computer Time. Often people loose track of the time they spend on the computer. This can apply to children and adults. UserTime is a great way to find out exactly how much time you spend on the computer.
	Reviewing computer time. It is a great idea to discuss computer usage openly. Set aside a regular time to get together and review the time spent on the computer. Have a look at the graphs and discuss how much time and the time of day we are using the computer. Make suggestions as to how we can make good use of our time and perhaps review allocations. Remember to keep it light hearted and fun and review the positive aspects not just the negative ones.