Timekpr-nExT, a parental control program for Ubuntu

about timekpr-next

In the next article we are going to take a look at Timekpr-nExT. Is about a graphical parental control tool with which to limit children's activity on a computer with Gnu / Linux. The application uses Python / GTK3 and was created as a replacement for Timekpr-Revived, which was abandoned.

The app can limit computer use by setting access rules for some user accounts. Between these rules you can set daily time limits for the use of the equipment, either by configuring the number of hours / minutes per day that an account can have access or by specifying an interval of hours. With the program you can also specify weekly and monthly limits of use. After the defined time expires, the user is automatically disconnected from their session.

The user account for which the equipment access limits are established, can see the remaining time for that day, the daily limits, as well as configure the display of notifications when it is about to expire or when there are time limit changes settled down.

This parental control software is made up of two user-oriented parts. The first is the client, showing the remaining time and notifications for the user account that has set time limits. And the second is the administration user interface, which is used to limit the time which is passed in normal user accounts.

General characteristics of Timekpr-nExT

program administration screen

  • Timekpr-nExT is available for Ubuntu 16.04+, older versions are not supported.
  • As indicated by its creator in the project website, this app is compatible with various desktops. The developer claims that this app works on Xfce, Cinnamon, KDE, GNOME 3, Unity, Deepin and Budgie.
  • Can be set daily limits. The administrator can configure the application to allow the use of the computer for a specified number of minutes / hours for each day of the week, or specify an interval of hours. They can also be set weekly and monthly limits.
  • Show notifications upon login, informing the user if he has a limited time to use the equipment that day and the remaining time. The app too notifies user of remaining time when access time is nearing end.

notice and icon on the client

  • We will find a application indicator on customer tray, which allows access to the information of the remaining time or the limits and configuration of Timekpr-nExt.
  • The control panel includes the options; the administrator can add or subtract time easily for the current day. It can track downtime, while the screen is locked. Here we can set warning time, etc.
  • Timekpr-nExT allows configure different parental control schedules for each user account.

Install Timekpr-nExT on Ubuntu

There are Timekpr-nExT packages for Ubuntu (including Xubuntu or Kubuntu) and Gnu / Linux distributions based on Ubuntu such as Linux Mint. To proceed with its installation in Ubuntu / Linux Mint we can use your PPA opening a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and executing the commands:

add ppa app

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mjasnik/ppa

installation timekpr-next

sudo apt update && sudo apt install timekpr-next

We will also be able to download the .DEB file no need to add the PPA. After downloading it, you just have to install it like any other package.

Basic use of the Timekpr-nExT parental control app

timkpr-next launchers

If you want to use Timekpr-nExT to limit access to the computer by a user, you will have to start the application to begin. If we want to access as administrator, it will be necessary start the menu item Timekpr-nExT starting with (SU), and from there set limits on user accounts.

timepkr-next client

I guess this should be obvious, but the user for whom we limit the length of the login time or access hours, should not have administrator access. Otherwise the user could change or delete the parental limits.

daily limits timekpr-next

Once in the program's administrator interface, you will have to select user for which you want to limit the access time in the drop-down menu "Username”. Then you will have to click on "Daily limits" or "Weekly and monthly limits"And choose the schedule that we are interested in establishing for that account of user. To finish, click on the button "Apply daily limits”Or otherwise the changes will have no effect. You can do the same for each user who is interested in limiting the use of the equipment.


A comment, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   Brayan Lopez said

    Is this similar to the function of windows 10 Family Safety?