On First Use:
When starting Timeout for the first time, you will be prompted for a password which is used to lock and unlock the control panel. It can be any length, and contain any characters, even spaces.
This password should not be known by the child(ren) this software is being used to restrict.
You must enter a password in order to use Timeout.
The Control Panel:
When the application is started by clicking its icon, the Control Panel will be visible. If Timeout is started automatically when the user logs in, it will start running automatically in the background. To view the Control Panel, double-click the system tray icon, or right-click it, and select 'Open Control Panel'. To unlock the Control Panel, type the password, and either press enter or click 'Unlock'.
All of Timeout's settings and operations can be changed and monitored via the Control Panel.
To begin using Timeout, click the 'Enable Timeout' checkbox. Timeout is user specific, so if you have more than one user account that you want to restrict, simply log into that account, and set the settings individually for each account. In the Options Panel you can set and change global Timeout settings. For Timeout to work without user intervention (someone actually running the software) at every session, the 'Startup Automatically For This User' checkbox must be checked. The recommended setting is checked. When 'Disable Automatic Pause When Computer Is Locked' is checked, Timeout will not automatically pause when the user's session is locked.
Daily Quota Timer Module:
The Daily Quota Timer Module will count down from the time set whenever the user is logged in. When the user logs off, or when the computer is shut down, locked, or suspended, the timer's countdown progress is saved, and resumed when they log in again. When the timer reaches zero, the desired action will be taken. This timer automatically resets at midnight.
Session Time Limit Module:
The Session Timer Module will count down from the time set whenever the user logs in. When the user logs off, or when the computer is shut down or restarted, the timer's countdown restarts. When the timer reaches zero, the desired action will be taken.
Access Window Module:
The Access Window Module only allows the user to be able to log onto the computer between the times set. If they are already logged on and the time window ends, the desired action will be taken.
Site Blocker Module:
The Site Blocker Module prevents any web browser or other software application running on the account from connecting to any of the websites and Internet locations listed. Enter domains only, such as 'facebook.com' or 'www.facebook.com'. Do NOT enter in a web path such as 'facebook.com/user/', or include 'http://'. Incorrect entries can cause problems with your computer's networking, so be careful.
Program Blocker Module:
The Program Blocker Module prevents any software application listed from running on the account. Make sure to not block essential system programs, as that may cause system instability.
Web Usage Monitor Module:
The Web Usage Module monitors the amount of time that web browsers are running on the account, and when they are, a timer counts down from the time set. When the user logs off, or when the computer is shut down, locked, or suspended, the timer's countdown progress is saved, and resumed when they log in again. When the timer reaches zero, the desired action will be taken. This timer automatically resets at midnight. Currently supported browsers: Google Chrome, Chromium, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari.
The Actions:
You can select an action individually for each module to occur when the time limit ends.
Log Off ends the user's session, and returns them to the login screen.
Shut Down ends the user's session, as well as shuts down Windows, and turns off the computer.
Lock Browser is only available on the Web Monitor Module. When this action is taken, all web browsers on the computer are temporarily disabled.
Custom Command will run the program/batch file that has been selected.
Lock will use Windows to display a screen requiring the user to enter their password.
Hibernate saves the user's session and power off the computer.
Suspend saves the user's session and puts the computer in a low power mode.
Ask will prompt the user to choose an Action when the module expires, and if no Action is chosen in 30 seconds, they will be logged off.
Trying to Access the Computer After an Action Has Been Taken:
If the Session Module expired, you can log back into the computer normally.
If the Daily Quota Module expired, when you log in, you will be confronted with a warning window. This window will prompt for the Timeout password. If the correct password is entered within 30 seconds, then Timeout will reset all Modules, and disable the Window Module (if enabled).
If you are outside the window as set by the Window Module, or it has expired, when you log in you will be confronted with a warning window. This window will prompt for the Timeout password. If the correct password is entered within 30 seconds, then Timeout will reset all Modules, and disable the Window Module. You will need to reenable the module once you want it to take effect again.
The System Tray Icon:
When either the Daily Quota, Session, Access Window, or Web Monitor Modules are enabled, hovering over the system tray icon will show the amount of time remaining for the most progressed module.
Double-clicking the icon will show the Control Panel.
Right-clicking the icon will show a menu which will allow you to open the Control Panel along with the option to pause Timeout.
The icon will change colour from white to yellow to red as the modules progress, just as the taskbar tile's progressbar changes colours in Windows 7. You do not need to have Windows 7 in order for this feature to work however.
Pausing Timeout:
If either the Daily Quota, Session, or Web Monitor Modules are running, any user can pause them by clicking the 'Pause' button. This will pause the timer(s), and show a splash screen. The computer cannot be used when paused, but can be resumed instantly by clicking the 'Resume' button on the pause splash screen. You can also pause Timeout using the 'Pause' entry in the menu for the system tray icon.
Resetting Modules:
Using the 3 buttons at the bottom of the Control Panel, you can renew the maximum time(s) for the Daily Quota, Session, and Web Monitor Modules.
The Warning Time:
When either the Daily Quota, Session, Access Window, or Web Monitor Modules are approaching their ends, a warning will be displayed the number of minutes before as set in the Options panel.
If the warning time is set to 0, then no warning will be given.
The Taskbar in Window 7:
When Timeout is running on Windows 7, the taskbar tile for the Control Panel will display a progressbar within it. It represents the most progressed module of either the Daily Quota, Session, Window, or Web Monitor Modules.
When the progress increases above 75%, the bar turns yellow, and when over 95%, it turns red.
Changing the Password:
By clicking 'Change Password' in the Options panel, you can change the password that Timeout uses to authenticate administrators. You will require the old password in order to change it.
There is no way of resetting passwords, so if you do not remember the password, there is little that you can do.
Checking for Updates:
By clicking 'Check For Updates' in the Options panel, you will be redirected to Romaco Canada's website, which will automatically determine whether you need to upgrade.
We recommend that you check for updates about once a month.
Custom Pause Screen Background:
When 'Use Custom Pause Screen Background' is checked in the Options Panel, you can select a JPEG image to display on the pause screen, rather than the Timeout splash screen.
Quitting the Application:
If Timeout is disabled, or there are no modules enabled, clicking 'Hide', will quit the application.
If Timeout is enabled, and one or more modules are enabled, clicking 'Hide', will close the Control Panel, but keep Timeout running in the system tray so it can function.
If the system tray icon is not visible, then Timeout is not running.