It might be the parents' computer, but honestly, restricting kids' access to it is like having a huge bowl of candy in the room that they can never touch. As a kid who was once restricted use, I can say that it's really easy to get frustrated. Controlling things like a curfew or which friends you are allowed to hang out with is fine, but when the computer is in the home and there are ways to check what kids do on the computer, restricting it is just kind of ridiculous in my opinion.

 

 

 

Yes there are ways to restrict certain websites (although many of those programs are useless from first hand experience as well as many loop holes around them depending on the intellectual capacity of the child thinking outside of the box at the time figuring a way around it.) It's just like porn filters really, many ask for hundreds of dollars yet don't block out images titled "[kitty]" etc If the parent simply doesn't want their child to have games on the computer, get over it and buy your own. Many 15 year olds have part time work. Additionally, it's healthier to promote activities away from the computer such as being actively involved in a sports team anyway. Many children lack social skills, self esteem & fitness as it is.

You can build a fully capable gaming computer for sub $400, minus monitor. That's not that hard to make with even a minimum wage job.

You can build a fully capable gaming computer for sub $400, minus monitor. That's not that hard to make with even a minimum wage job.

 

 

 

You have details ?

 

 

 

I want.

 

 

 

On Topic ; besides what has already been suggested, I'm asking have you ever really sat down with them and had a real talk or discussion ? I seriously doubt that they're so impudent so as to not even understand what they're restricting. Why don't you read up on things such as internet security, how it is relevant to your situation as a 15 year old and why you are responsible and can be trusted. Then when it comes to the talking - you can destroy them.

 

 

 

Unless of course they're prudish and troglodytic philistines technology-wise, and say no - in which case, I wish you luck in the future. Because no one can help you.

You can build a fully capable gaming computer for sub $400, minus monitor. That's not that hard to make with even a minimum wage job.

 

 

 

You have details ?

 

 

 

I want.

 

 

 

You can search around T&C for the thread (just search like $400 PC or "cheapest gaming computer" or something), I remember us talking about it a while ago. Me and Ultima Managed a build which was like $380 a while ago. Granted a lot of those parts are probably out of stock now so you may have to switch it around a bit, but it was a solid machine.

You can build a fully capable gaming computer for sub $400, minus monitor. That's not that hard to make with even a minimum wage job.

 

 

 

You have details ?

 

 

 

I want.

 

 

 

You can search around T&C for the thread (just search like $400 PC or "cheapest gaming computer" or something), I remember us talking about it a while ago. Me and Ultima Managed a build which was like $380 a while ago. Granted a lot of those parts are probably out of stock now so you may have to switch it around a bit, but it was a solid machine.

 

 

 

So you physically built it together with Ult ? You live near each other right ? Virgina ?

 

 

 

Ok, cool. I'll do that.

Nah, we just picked out the parts. Didn't actually build the machine.

Nah, we just picked out the parts. Didn't actually build the machine.

 

 

 

Yeah, I found the thread.

 

 

 

Too bad I don't know anything about putting hardware together. :?

 

Yes there are ways to restrict certain websites (although many of those programs are useless from first hand experience as well as many loop holes around them depending on the intellectual capacity of the child thinking outside of the box at the time figuring a way around it.) It's just like porn filters really, many ask for hundreds of dollars yet don't block out images titled "[kitty]" etc If the parent simply doesn't want their child to have games on the computer, get over it and buy your own. Many 15 year olds have part time work. Additionally, it's healthier to promote activities away from the computer such as being actively involved in a sports team anyway. Many children lack social skills, self esteem & fitness as it is.

 

Of course it's bad to use the computer as a crutch for your social life. Or replacing your social life with the computer for that matter, but I just don't see the point in this kind of high restriction especially during the summer.

Nah, we just picked out the parts. Didn't actually build the machine.

 

 

 

Yeah, I found the thread.

 

 

 

Too bad I don't know anything about putting hardware together. :?

 

YouTube is your best friend, it is straight forward anyway. If you really don't want to break anything a friend/local computer store will happily do it, the latter will charge though.

Nah, we just picked out the parts. Didn't actually build the machine.

 

 

 

Yeah, I found the thread.

 

 

 

Too bad I don't know anything about putting hardware together. :?

 

Its really not that hard.

 

I did it myself, twice.

 

 

 

Just look up some guides, take your time, and make sure you stay grounded.

but I just don't see the point in this kind of high restriction especially during the summer.

 

 

 

All the more reason to get a summer part/time job :lol: Plenty of places hire juniors for the summer time. Plus, with the extra money not only could he buy a computer but he could have the cash to do much more exciting things than playing games on the pc :lol:

At this point, I'm pretty sure it's a trust issue. If it is, there's absolutely nothing I can do about it because my parents don't have their priorities straight. I'm trusted with their lives (I've got my permit and can drive with them n the car), I'm trusted not to abuse drugs, not to be an idiot and get involved in tobacc/alcohol... I've got a 3.94 GPA but apparently can't be trusted not to blow up the computer.

 

 

 

I now have a completely logical arguement: I use the computer thse most, so when I discover a problem, I should be able to fix it without bothering you constantly about it.

 

 

 

Gonna try that tonight. I tried ff portable today but it couldn't connect for some reason.

Buying yourself your own computer wont sort out your problems, as you're still living under their roof they can still remove the computer from your room as it is being kept on their property, they simply can argue they never consented to it being on their property. Of course such an issue would probably never arise.

 

 

 

Anyway, buying your own computer wont sort out any problems long term, sitting down with your parents and having a proper discussion about it will, set some ground rules, no interrupting, no shouting, it's not over till a compromise is reached. Be adults about the matter, you nearly are one. Ask them this though "If you trust me enough not to try recreational drugs, not to screw around, to drive a car, is it not about time you trusted me with the computer?"

The problem can't really be pin-pointed unless you specifically sit down with your parents and ask what it's all about. It may be a trust issue (which I can honestly say - I don't know any parent personally who hasn't gone through this with their teenager on at least one occasion for some reason or another) or your parents simply may be picky with their personal belongings. That doesn't necessarily come down to trust, it comes down to preference. For example, I trusted my ex house-mate with my computer as she was computer literate but she still made a harmless mistake. She downloaded something that she needed for her game (that active sound control one) which turned out to be a virus. It ended up crashing my hard drive, now the fact was that I still trusted her with my computer but I still restricted access. It was still my computer, she still had my trust but I preferred her to get her own computer so that if anything went wrong with it, no one was to blame but myself.

Older people are generally quite cautious and careful around technology; this applies to even the veteran computer users. Your parents (especially if your dad worked as a software engineer or whatever) have all the right to restrict your access on the computer. They're probably a little over-conscious about the dangers of technology, mind; which doesn't surprise me given how many reports about incidents related to or stemming from the Internet.

 

 

 

If you're really dead-set on sorting this out, then just ask your parents if you can talk about your computer use. If they say no, too bad. If they agree to it, you can then sort out your issues with their current system between you.

I've written up my request after having a really pointless discussion with my mom which basically revealed that my dad is a total control freak about his computers. If you'd read through it and add any suggestions you may have about features or programs I should add to the list, that'd be great, I did post this in T&C but felt I should follow up here since you guys are the ones who told me to do this in the first place.

 

 

 

[hide=Mah Request which was also posted in T&C]Things I Would Like Added to the Computer and Why

 

 

 

Name: FireFox 3.5

 

Type: Internet Browser

 

Website: http://www.firefox.com

 

 

 

Why: Internet Explorer 6 is now eight years old. It does not properly support transparent .pngs and has large security holes within it that werent fixed by Microsoft because they dont support IE6 anymore. FireFox is updated regularly with security updates and is much faster than IE6. It has anti-phishing and anti-malware software built in which notify you of an impostor or unsafe site without loading the site (it will tell you why it thinks its unsafe as well). There is also a feature that lets you make sure the site is legit before you buy something (Instant Web Site ID). When you download a file, the computers AV automatically checks it to protect your computer. FireFox has a built in pop-up blocker. It also has automatic updates so as new security issues are found, they are fixed. Simple features include tabbed browsing, session restore, one-click bookmarking, and the Awesome Bar. (See http://blog.washingtonpost.com/security ... for_2.html for information about the security of FireFox versus Internet Explorer)

 

 

 

How would it affect the computer? : You would have a choice of using FireFox or IE6. Bookmarks can be easily transferred from IE to FF during installation or later on (instructions are on the website at http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Imp ... t+Explorer ). Java and other plugins will need to be reinstalled (but they ought to be updated anyway, so win-win).

 

 

 

Name: GIMP 2.6

 

Type: Graphics Editing Program

 

Website: http://www.gimp.org

 

 

 

Why: The version of GIMP thats currently on the computer is version 2.4. Version 2.6 has new updates and works better. The full list of updates is at http://www.gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-2.6.html, here are the more significant ones:

 

o Toolbox Menu merged with Image Window menu.

 

o Toolbox and Docks always above Image windows.

 

o You can now pan beyond the Image Border.

 

o Improved Free Select Tool

 

o Added Brush Dynamics (YAY!)

 

o Text is now wrapped within bounding box.

 

 

 

How would is affect the computer? : It would replace the current GIMP 2.4. Since Im usually the only person who uses it, it wouldnt really change anything.

 

 

 

Name: Terragen

 

Type: Graphics Environment Rendering Program

 

Website: http://www.planetside.co.uk/content/view/21/36/

 

 

 

Why: Its a tool for rendering realistic looking environments thats free and easy to learn. I think it would be fun to have and I could make some cool stuff with it. Basically it has the true usefulness of Apophysis (fractal generator) but it would be a cool thing to have.

 

 

 

How it would affect the computer? : It would just use up some hard drive space in installing it. Would add an interesting toy to the list of fun stuff on the computer.

 

 

 

Other Things that Should be Addressed

 

 

 

Microsoft Office:

 

Upon starting any of the programs (except Publisher) the Windows Installer window appears, and you must click Cancel to get the program to open. In Publisher, none of the wizards work unless you open a pre-existing publication and edit it. I cannot open any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document without a message appearing that the program cannot find the correct path, but if I have the program open already, I can. Im pretty sure that these problems were caused when the hard drive blew up, and that it could be fixed by reinstalling Microsoft Office.

 

 

 

Norton Internet Security:

 

I would like the shortcut removed from my desktop since I cant do anything with it. It would also be nice not to have the categories Job Search, News, and Interactive/Chat blocked by it. I find its kind of irrelevant because I consider Facebook Interactive/Chat but its not blocked[/hide]

IE6? They have IE8 now, I think. Upgrade at least. Can you not download anything on your account at present?

IE6? They have IE8 now, I think. Upgrade at least. Can you not download anything on your account at present?

 

That's the thing, he said he is not allowed to run executable files.

Ah. Well, do you know your parents' passwords? I think he said he uses them on occasion. Use that.

 

 

 

Alternatively, wait until they go to the bathroom while logged in and download it quickly, at least save the file and bury it in folders. Then wait until they go again.

Lol your parents are just stupid.

 

Alternatively, wait until they go to the bathroom while logged in and download it quickly, at least save the file and bury it in folders. Then wait until they go again.

 

He is literally not able to run executable files because of his security programs.

 

 

 

I just thought of something you could do: buy a nice hard drive for like 100 bucks and install a different OS on it, drivers, etc., then just utilize it whenever you're on that computer. It would be cheaper than a new computer, and you would still have your old hardware. If your parents are worried about you infecting their computer, then tell them this plan and say that you will be unable to infect their hard drive while on yours.

I can't upgrade to IE7 or 8 because I'm running Windows 2000. Otherwise we'd have 7 and I wouldn't be having a huge problem. My dad's now read my pointless letter, and is still completely against FF, and hasn't given a reason.

 

 

 

but I do like this hard drive idea. I have a flash drive, I know you can also dual boot from those except it takes longer... but the hard drive idea is definitely an option.

I can't upgrade to IE7 or 8 because I'm running Windows 2000. Otherwise we'd have 7 and I wouldn't be having a huge problem. My dad's now read my pointless letter, and is still completely against FF, and hasn't given a reason.

 

 

 

but I do like this hard drive idea. I have a flash drive, I know you can also dual boot from those except it takes longer... but the hard drive idea is definitely an option.

 

How the hell is he against FF?

Something about 'Don't believe everything you read' because the most of the info I got to support getting it came right off Mozilla's website. he's always been against it, I honestly have no idea why, but I'm going to go ask about it right now...

No offence, but your father sounds like an idiot.

 

 

 

With the amount of problems IE has, it's worth it to switch to Firefox. I used IE6 for years, and recently it's been crashing a hell of a lot. Switched to Firefox, and had no problems that can be linked with the browser.

 

 

 

You are going to get nothing but support for Firefox over Internet Explorer. Hell, he could listen to the users here, and most would be supporting Firefox over IE6, he'd have a hard time trying to ignore that, since it's unlikely that all of us would work for Mozilla, or even help with Firefox.

 

 

 

Though, it seems that he is going to stick with IE, I suggest trying to find a reputable website which is in favour of Firefox, that isn't related to Mozilla in any way.