[K12OSN] OT: Monitoring IM

Gentgeen gentgeen at linuxmail.org
Thu Apr 13 00:02:02 UTC 2006


On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:50:46 -0400
"Henry Hartley" <henryhartley at westat.com> wrote:

> 
> This is sort of off topic but possibly not completely.  I have a
> K12LTSP machine that is currently not actually serving any clients. 
> We're "between houses" right now and our rental doesn't have any
> internet access so right now this isn't an issue.  My plan for our new
> houses is to set up a small K12LTSP server with three clients.  I've
> got a Smoothwall and DansGuardian box set up and that seems to work
> pretty well for what it is but as far as I know, it won't help me here
> (and obviously it isn't doing *anything* right now).  
> 
> My daughter is starting to ask if she can use instant messaging with
> her friends.  So far we've been able to just say no and we may do that
> for a while but sooner or later, she's going to get herself an account
> and start IMing.  I figure I'm better off if I can be the one setting
> things up.  I guess what I'm looking for is something that will let me
> 
> 

I have a similar setup.  I use LTSP on a Debian box, to serve out 3
clients, and an IPCop box as my firewall/DHCP server. The "server" is my
computer, and the clients are used by my family (including one 7 year
old daughter). So although I am not at the same spot (no IMing yet) I
have been looking into things "to be ready"

> a) limit connections to a list of IM accounts that I can monitor

You might be able to limit the time spent, (with Smoothwall, or IPCop)
but I do not know of any way to limit connection to a specific account. 

> b) keep a log of all messaging

If you can get her to use GAIM, GAIM can log all messages.  Then make
sure those logs are "safe" (either she can not edit them, or you make a
regular back-up of them).  If she is using the clients, then you can set
up GAIM the way you want, then change the config file so that only root
(or only you) can edit it.

> c) anything else I haven't thought of but should do
> 

I would definitely have a long talk about safe and not safe internet. 
And let her know that she will not get into ANY trouble if she brings an
issue to you. (but in turn, will be in a lot of trouble if you find out
about something).  The nice thing about LTSP/Linux set up is with you
having access to the firewall/server - there is about nothing that goes
through the network that you will not know about.  Let her know that :)


> Any suggestions are welcome.

Feel free to send a private email with any of your solutions/results. 
Would love to know for later.

> 
> -- 
> Henry

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