Re: 1984 (Big Brother)

On 12 September 2010 17:32, tedd <tedd@sperling.com> wrote: > Hi gang: > > I have a client who wants his employees' access to their online business > database restricted to only times when he is logged on. (Don't ask why) > > In other words, when the boss is not logged on, then his employees cannot > access the business database in any fashion whatsoever including checking to > see if the boss is logged on, or not. No access whatsoever! > > Normally, I would just set up a field in the database and have that set to > "yes" or "no" as to if the employees could access the database, or not. But > in this case, the boss does not want even that type of access to the > database permitted. Repeat -- No access whatsoever! > > I was thinking of the boss' script writing to a file that accomplished the > "yes" or "no" thing, but if the boss did not log off properly then the file > would remain in the "yes" state allowing employees undesired access. That > would not be acceptable. > > So, what methods would you suggest? > > Cheers, > > tedd What operating system is he using? Does he (for example), log into his computer and logoff/shutdown when he goes home? If he is using Windows (and I'm sure there are many ways to achieve this), then in the Startup folder, a small PHP script which sets a flag "I'm here", would allow the DB to know he's at least logged in. There are different ways to do this. http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/Q_21195727.html covers login/logout/startup/shutdown. Do they have a clock card system for clocking in/out the building? Could you read the database that the clockings are logged in? An odd number for the day = he's in, even = he's out, missed clocking = screwed/guess. Ideally you want to "hook" into his normal activity if you can. -- Richard Quadling Twitter : EE : Zend @RQuadling : e-e.com/M_248814.html : bit.ly/9O8vFY