Re:Ask HN: What do you want to see in Ubuntu 17.10?
by r3bl on Friday March 31, 2017 @10:12AM
(#14003948)
elementary OS designed parental control, but in a bit of an opposite way as you've suggested. An administrator can create a new standard account, and restrict its access to the computer. For example, the standard user can log in between 5 PM and 10 PM, can have access to some of the applications restricted (as in, he can't run them) and he can be banned from accessing certain websites (blacklist-only options at the moment).
Not really what you're looking for, but built exactly in a way you want it: available out-of-the-box, tucked into system settings, there in case you need it. Could be of some inspiration to Ubuntu guys.
Re:Ask HN: What do you want to see in Ubuntu 17.10?
by richsu-ca on Friday March 31, 2017 @11:35AM
(#14004841)
Elementary OS looks real nice!
Lubuntu like all Ubuntu have standard users with limited access and that is what my son has but I am less worried about his access to the computer or to the computer's features than about him seeing ads or things that isn't appropriate for his age.
HEADLINE: Child friendly (ad blocker, content filter)
DESCRIPTION: For my son's first computer, I picked Lubuntu and spent days making it "internet ready". I installed Dansguardian + Privoxy, then added uBlock Origin to Chrome, then added OpenDNS to my home router. It was a lot of searching online and trial & error but worth it. From time to time, I check websites he visited and what got blocked (grepping logs) and adjust accordingly. One problem with this is updates are blocked so I must disable proxy manually every time I update.
Please consider making something like this available out-of-the-box. Something that can be enabled/disabled with a few clicks. Also, a simple way to review history and adjust settings. It would make Ubuntu an excellent choice out-of-the-box for all kids. Thank you for asking.