This package was developed to keep unauthorized people from gaining access to my computer system while I'm away from my desk. It does not utilize a sophisticated protection scheme but rather a simple effective deterrent. This keeps the occasional "...looking for a Mac to do a quick edit..." user off the system. The goal in developing BugOff was a safe and low-cost package with ease of use. Since I'm not charging for it, you can't beat the price. ENJOY!
BugOff provides a system startup password as well as a built-in screen saver with password dismissal. It allows for 2 passwords, the first being the system administrator or Owner which allows complete access to the system. The second lets users access the system with the exception of being able to open the preferences or have access to folders specified by the owner. It also provides a simple messaging system allowing users to send short messages to other people on their network.
As a screen saver, it will not interrupt any background processing. For instance, if you're in the middle of a modem transfer, it will continue even though the screen saver has activated.
Processing will only be halted during the iris close of the screen. (trﾃｨs cool effect)
BugOff has an interesting development history. It started out as a simple access control package and turned into the program from Hell: Access Control (multi-user), Folder Watching, Network Messaging, etc. It's my goal to keep adding to this application and thereby create a useful shell of various functions in a single package, ("...it's a dessert topping, no it's a floor wax...") The tough part about developing this "simple" little screen saver was knowing when to shoot the engineer and get it out of design/beta. The requests have already started to roll in: Post-it notes, duplex active "talk" mode, et al, all under Owner/User access control. Got any more ideas? I'm open minded.
