GShield

Source code checked in

Swift — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:54:02 GMT

0.9.6 Interim Checkin: Moved the last bit of Manager to use new Data and LINQ-To-SQL methods and code. This checkin will build but has not been tested. Not recomended for any use.

Source code checked in

Swift — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:56:34 GMT

0.9.6 Interim Checkin: Warning Does Not Build! Converted Data and Engine assemblies to use LINQ-To-SQL. Also convered Password Recovery project. Started working on converted Manager to use new DAO and Linq classes.

Source code checked in

Swift — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:05:29 GMT

Interim 0.9.6 Checkin: Warning Does not build. Added GShield database DataContext, commented out all old DAO's and Library objects. In process of moving Engine objects and methods to use new DataContext for data access.

Source code checked in

Swift — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:03:03 GMT

Interim 0.9.6 Checkin: Warning Does not build. Halfway through .Net 3.5 Conversion.

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.6

Swift — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:49:32 GMT

Update coming. I just installed VS 2008 and am in the process of updating the project. Additionally I'll be updating the core Web Service to WCF once my host installed .Net 3.5. I will also be installing a backup web service on another provider of mine, just in case the primary goes down.

NEW POST: New Site

Swift — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:35:16 GMT

We've moves some of the GShield materials off Codeplex, for maintainability sake. The new site is http://www.thegameshield.com and will house things like project management, documentation and other ammenities that CodePlex isn't suited best for. I'll be keeping the project on CodePlex and will have version 0.9.6 out after I get back from vacation and DevConnections.

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.6

Swift — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:17:05 GMT

As vacation is fast approaching it appears that I won't be able to get the update out. I'm switching a lot of the backend data code to LINQ-to-SQL and updating the objects to match the .Net 3.5 property pattern and I haven't been able to dedicate the the time I want to ensure it all works good. I also wanted to use LINQ inside for collection searching, etc. I will also be setting up an external website, http://www.thegameshield.com to house additional information, online help, support and more project related stuff.

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.6

Swift — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:20:20 GMT

Still Working on this update. Tooled for Beta 2 and I'll be on vacation shortly in the next few weeks for a while. I'm hoping to release the update before I head out. More updates to come.

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.6

Swift — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:03:20 GMT

I've started work on GShield 0.9.6. I will be branching the codebase at this point, the 0.9.6 release will be based on Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 built using Orcas Beta 2 and the new platform technologies. This release will be a platform update and won't add any new functionality but update the codebase and hopefully fix some bugs along the way. No timetable on release yet but I'm hoping for somthing within the next few weeks. As always any updates, news or changes to the 0.9.6 release will appear in this thread.

UPDATED WIKI: Home

Swift — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:08:02 GMT

Project Description
GShield is an ESRB V-Chip for computer games. GShield allows parents to control what games are played on the computer much like they can control what shows are viewed on the TV. Parents can select which ESRB ratings are alright for their child to play and GShield will monitor the games played and attempt to find the rating for that game, at which point if it violates the policy the parent setup the game is terminated. GShield is another tool for parents to use to keep unwanted content away from their kids and help the parents maintain control of their computer.

In addition to blocking games based on their ESRB rating parents can also use GShield to limit the amount of time spent playing computer games. Parents can also limit games on time based on days of the week, say they don't want their child playing more then two hours on school nights but they can play eight hours on weekends, or they can turn off games all together, i.e. to enforce a grounding or drop in school grades.

Project Goals
The primary goal of the GShield project is to give parents a central management console to secure their computer from unwated games, inapproate games and too much game playing. GShield also needs to be easy to use and administor which would be a stumling block for a parent setting up and using the system.

Project History
I had the idea for the GShield system in October 2006 when learning of the rating systems built into the next generation of console systems, like the PS3 and XBox 360. I searched the Internet for a while and determined there were no systems to offer then protection to the Windows platform. Though technically difficult I decided it would worth the effort and possible help parents even if the system could never reach 100% automatic accuracy. GShield has been in active development since November 2006 and was released as Open Source on May 2007. GShield was created by and is maintained by Shawn Jackson of WaveTech Digital Technologies, Inc. http://www.wtdt.com.

To learn more about the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and game ratings please visit www.esrb.org.

ToDo List

Time of Day (Game Blackout) Watcher

Project Status

Module	Completion Status
Reporting	70%
Documentation	60%
Enhanced ESRB Ratings	95%
Watchdog	40%
Logging	90%
Email Alerts	40%

RELEASED: GShield 0.9.5 (Aug 11, 2007)

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:06:31 GMT

Major and minor fixes, changes and updates to the 0.9.4 release. This is a *BETA* release and should only be used for testing and development purposes and not for production use. This release has been tested with Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Only 32bit editions have been tested thus far. The .Net Framework 2.0, Visual Studio 2005 Report Viewer and SQL 2005 Express are required.

UPDATED RELEASE: GShield 0.9.5 (Aug 11, 2007)

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:06:31 GMT

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.5

Swift — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:52:32 GMT

I'm pushing 0.9.5 up to source control now and will have the binary and source files uploaded shortly also. In addition to the above post I also added a basic email alerting system.

This itteration was longer then the others, about 1 month plus I took a little bit of time before starting this release. I'm hoping to have a release every month or so. Additioanlly the database updaing still wasn't added, I just ran out of time and I'm hoping to get that in there soon. So you will have to uninstall and reinstall to get the new version.

UPDATED RELEASE: GShield 0.9.5

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:47:45 GMT

Source code checked in

Swift — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:45:38 GMT

0.9.5 Changeset. OpenGL Supprt, Triming non-exact ESRB game results, Database Project, Unit Tests Project, Basic Email Notification System, Simple message box system, Removed ESRBSite and ESRBParser sub-classes, Code commenting and many bug fixes and small changes.

UPDATED RELEASE: GShield 0.9.5

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:39:18 GMT

NEW POST: GShield 0.9.5

Swift — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 05:06:46 GMT

I'm puting a number of finishing touches on the release now. A lot has been fix thus far, changelog below, and I'm hoping to squeeze in email notifications before the release. Currently working on the documentation a little and conducting more testing. This itteration lasted a little too long so I hope to push it out soon.

Major Changes
Trim Non-Exact Results code path for ESRB Ratings queries
Simple Message system to centralize GShield messages
Advisor Web Service updated with 'Ex' method for Trim-Non Exact queries
Added Sentinel support for detecting OpenGL based games
Removed ESRBSite and ESRBParser sub-classes from the ESRBManager system
Minor Changes
Code commenting and summaries for most Library objects
GUI Changes in Options window for Trim Non-Exact Results
Made log windows in GUI use the WindowManager
Added menu buttons under tools menu to start the Sentinel and Watchdog systems
Added Database project to manage create and change scripts for the GShield database
Added simple NUnit Unit Testing project stub for future unit testing stubs
Watcher changes to use the ProcessHelper singleton
Changes to ProcessHelper to get all (DirectX, OpenGL, and Other) games in one method call
Breaking Changes
None

CLOSED ISSUE: Sanity Check on GetGame

Swift — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:35:47 GMT

In some cases the GameManager.GetGame() method has returned the wrong rating for a game via the ESRB's website. This can be cought by checking the games information retured via the Advisor service and comparing it against the local games information.
Comments: A basic sanity check was added, mainly in the addition of the Trim Non-Exact Results code path. Other sanity checks may be needed but this should work for now.

CLOSED ISSUE: Code Commenting

Swift — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:34:44 GMT

More commenting in the code is required for the 0.9.5 release.
Comments: Commenting was added for some complex areas in the Engine and all Library objects (Policies, Log, etc) were commented. More commenting is still required and will appear as other work items latter on.

CLOSED TASK: More Reports

Swift — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:33:14 GMT

The basic 'system' reports were installed on 0.9.2 but need to be more complete so analysis can be conducted properly by the GShield administrator.
Comments: Current reports will work for now. Small changes will be done to make the reports easier to use.