Okay, I lied right from the start with that title. Don’t get into thinking that you can get any real security out of this, as it is equivalent to a locking screensaver. In fact, this is just a screensaver add-on for GNOME. That said, it does prevent the occasional hyperactive child or devious coworker from messing with your desktop when you are away and forget to lock it.
Basically, this is proximity-based access for your computer. If you’re the type who forgets to lock your desktop, then this is for you.
All you need is Bluetooth support on your desktop or laptop, a Bluetooth-enabled device, and BlueProximity. BlueProximity monitors any Bluetooth device paired with your system for signal strength. When you walk away from your PC, the signal strength will drop and your screen will lock. When you return, your system will be ready for you again.
As long as you have it running, it will idly sit in your system notification area and take action when you leave your desktop or return. The settings are preconfigured for a GNOME’s gnome-screensaver, but they can easily be redone for KDE or XFCE screensavers.
Once you have your distance settings set up (the defaults work in most cases) you can activate it by simply walking away from your desktop with your Bluetooth device. If you add it to your session startup, it will always be around.
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ricercia wrote:
This is available on KDE as well via KBlueLock.
# Posted on 26-Mar-08 at 7:54 pm
fsdaily.com wrote:
Story added…
This story has been submitted to fsdaily.com! If you think this story should be read by the free software community, come vote it up and discuss it here:
http://www.fsdaily.com/EndUser/Never_Forget_to_Lock_Again…
# Posted on 27-Mar-08 at 6:43 am
David S. wrote:
Is this like the light in the fridge turning off when you close the door? Has anyone verified that it actually works? If you’re already gone how to do _really_ know anything’s happened?
# Posted on 29-Mar-08 at 3:39 pm
canuck wrote:
you crawl into the fridge and close the door. Just bring a flashlight so you can find your way out in the dark.
Give the bluetooth to a friend and tell them to leave? But then it might now you are still there and not lock up, knowing you are trying to fool it.
# Posted on 08-May-08 at 4:47 am
Lars Friedrichs wrote:
Hehe, you guys are really funny
)
I hope you like blueproximity. At least on my computer it does what is shown in the story (but then it really should so because I wrote it…)
Btw, you can do much more things that just locking the pc like muting your audio and stuff like that. Have a look at the newest version 1.2.5 you’ll see it now supports more than just one device. You can make it sound a warning if your boss approaches. (Hint: say you need to push an important number on his phone so therefore he should enable bluetooth
You can even find guys at youtube using it for X10 home automation.
Bye
Lars
# Posted on 08-May-08 at 11:52 am
Windows Blog » Blog Archive » Never Forget to Lock Again wrote:
[…] Thanks to « Windows Tip: Simulate “No to All” in file copy dialog […]
# Posted on 09-May-08 at 11:59 am
lailai wrote:
Great tip!
I will try that if I have time
Bye
Lailai
http://windowsinfo.shorturl.com/blog
# Posted on 09-May-08 at 12:02 pm