Missing BASIC functionality in Parental Controls

I know I'm probably late to this discussion.

I recently let my daughter buy herself a laptop.

I assumed that Parental controls would have the BASIC functionality of
restricting TOTAL time, not just available hours in the day.

Our macs come with this basic functionality. I thought vista would have
it as well, and i think its ridiculous that I have to resort to third
party programs.


--
jettrue

No I wouldn't classify that as a "BASIC" function. What is wrong with
setting hours in the day. It gives you far more control.

On another note if you are letting your daughter buy her own laptop then why
are you concerned with parental controls if shes old enough to buy it
herself?

"jettrue" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I know I'm probably late to this discussion.
>
> I recently let my daughter buy herself a laptop.
>
> I assumed that Parental controls would have the BASIC functionality of
> restricting TOTAL time, not just available hours in the day.
>
> Our macs come with this basic functionality. I thought vista would have
> it as well, and i think its ridiculous that I have to resort to third
> party programs.
>
>
> --
> jettrue

"jettrue" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I know I'm probably late to this discussion.

Your post is the first post in this discussion - so I'd say you were
right on time.

> I recently let my daughter buy herself a laptop.

So it's hers?

> I assumed that Parental controls would have the BASIC functionality of
> restricting TOTAL time, not just available hours in the day.

Don't let her plug it in. Total time would then depend on the batteries.

> Our macs come with this basic functionality. I thought vista would
> have
> it as well, and i think its ridiculous that I have to resort to third
> party programs.

I'm surprised that any OS comes with parental controls. It seems like a
nice niche software opportunity for aftermarket applications and
offering it for free with an OS seems kinda antitrust-ish.

(sure, they could claim it is part and parcel of the OS, but who would
believe that claptrap)