Control Panel - User Accounts and Family Safety

I never cease to be amazed that from time to time I run across system users that have never been to this section of control panel. They are still running on the user account that's created during installation or transferred during the upgrade process, have never changed their password, or in a lot of cases have no idea password reset disks even exist.

For those with children allowed access to the system parental controls is a nice feature. Personally, I don't think it should be an integrated part of the operating system. I'd much rather see it be an add-on module supplied at no cost for those that need it, but this is the place to access and configure the controls.

On that note, let's take a look at what the categories have to offer.

Figure 01

User Accounts -  Clicking the [User Accounts] option on the main category brings you to the [Make Changes To Your User Account] page. There are three basic types of accounts in Vista; Administrator, Standard, and Guest. There will always be one account displayed in the upper right hand portion of the window; the account you are currently signed in under. Information displayed is the account name, type of account, and if a password has been set, that is also noted.

The rest of the items in the main window are pretty standard fare. The options you have available may vary a bit. For example, if the account you used to log in isn't password protected you'll see an option to create a password for the account rather than the change and delete password options shown below. The options tagged with a security shield will require User Account Control permission as long as User Account Control (UAC) is enabled. If UAC has been disabled, Administrator, Standard, and Guest accounts have unfettered access to all options; a very dangerous situation.

Normally I don't even bother mentioning the items in the 'Tasks' area on the left side of the window but in this case they are worth a comment. Just in case of a problem, you should look at the [Create A Password Reset Disk] option. Clicking it launches the wizard to help you create the disk to regain access the system in case of a forgotten password. The [Manage Your Network Passwords] option is another you should take a look at if for no other reason than to become familiar with what is being stored. You can also add, delete, and edit locations as well as back up stored logon credentials.

And finally - User Account Control. This has become the whipping boy of Vista; the one feature that has launched a million blog posts and tech articles blaming UAC for everything from tofu to republicans to athletes foot, not to mention the imminent demise of Vista. I'm not going to waste time here going through the positives and negatives of UAC. Whether you decide to use it or not, this is the place where you turn it on or off.

Figure 02

Parental Controls - According to Windows Help and Support, Parental Controls can be used "to help manage how your children use the computer. For example, you can set limits on your children's access to the web, the hours that they can log on to the computer, and which games they can play and programs they can run." That's all well and good and Parental Controls does indeed allow that to be done. And in spite of the name Parental Controls, I've actually seen quite a few small businesses that lack the personnel and technical expertise to lock down their office computers using Parental Controls. I won't get into the dynamics of how children and employees may react to being under the scrutiny of Parental Controls, but it can be a very useful tool, especially the program blocking and activity report capabilities.

It's worth noting that only Standard User accounts are subject to having parental controls placed on them. In addition, while some programs can be blocked , there are some that cannot be blocked. Notepad, for example, falls into that category. I really don't understand the reasoning why some programs are deemed exempt, but that's the way it stands at present.

Figure 03

Windows CardSpace - I hate to say this, but I really can't tell you anything at all about CardSpace. Until I saw it in Vista I'd never heard a thing about it. I've read the info in Windows Help and at Windows CardSpace on the Microsoft site. I gather it's some kind of a digital identity card, or as the site says,

Microsoft Windows CardSpace™ is a system for creating relationships with websites and online services. Windows CardSpace provides a consistent way for:

• Sites to request information from you.

• You to review the identity of a site.

• You to manage your information by using Information Cards.

• You to review card information before you send it.

Windows CardSpace can replace the user names and passwords that you use to register with and log on to websites and online services.

Maybe I just travel in the wrong circles, but I've never visited a site or done business with a company where CardSpace has been mentioned. I'm making a conscious effort to look for it in my online travels. If I find out anything I'll post an update. Meanwhile, here are some screen captures of CardSpace.

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