Peeping Tom is a shareware init/background application that keeps track of the current applications and desk accessories that are open. When processes are quit, Peeping Tom writes the information that it has on the dead process to a text file in the System Folder. The log file shows information on when each process was started and the total time it ran. Peeping Tom also shows the average CPU usage of the process. The percentage represents how much the process used of the CPU while the process was running. The CPU usage percentage can be very misleading since some applications hog the processor even when they are in the background. When the computer is restarted Peeping Tom writes out all the processes including the Finder.
Peeping Tom is very useful for monitoring computers. Peeping Tom sits in the background and silently monitors the user's activities. It keeps track of time spent on the computer, which is perfect for those who bill their customers on a hourly basis. Peeping Tom outputs to a text file that can then be easily searched.
While running, Peeping Tom takes almost no processing time away from other applications. Because of this, the times in the log file can be off by as much as five seconds (which is a very small price to pay). Peeping Tom comes alive every five seconds and scans for processes. Any process's that have died are immediately logged to the log file if the user has not disabled writing. Writing can be disabled by pushing down Shift-Option-Control all at once. You must wait a few seconds and Peeping Tom will respond with a dialog. It can also be re-enabled by the same key sequence. This option is very useful when you would like to edit the log file. With the disabling on the records are still stored in memory but are not logged to the file. When the computer is shut down the processes are then logged to disk.
Peeping Tom currently keeps track of only fifty processes at a time. Peeping Tom also writes out the first twenty characters of a process's name. This is sufficient in recognizing the process.
The default file type is 'TEXT' and the default creator type is 'KAHL'. This can very easily be changed using a program like ResEdit. I have created a template to make the changing of these settings very easy.
For registered users Peeping Tom can now run in a silent mode. In the Peeping Tom file there is a resource called 'PREF'. This resource contains some boolean flags that allow the user to put Peeping Tom into silent mode or prevent the logging to disk to be turned off. In order for these advanced features to work the correct password must be entered in the password field. If the password is not correct then Peeping Tom ignores the boolean fields. When you register Peeping Tom with me I will send you the password for the advanced features.
REQUIREMENTS:
Peeping Tom requires System 7 because of the Process Manager dependence. Peeping Tom also handles all the core Apple Events. Peeping Tom requires 30K of RAM to run.
INSTALLATION:
To install Peeping Tom on your computer just uncompact it and drag the icon to the System Folder. The Finder will then put Peeping Tom into the Extensions Folder where this program belongs.
Peeping Tom will create a file called "Log File." Use any text editor to look at this file. If you take the log file out of the System Folder then Peeping Tom is smart enough to start another file.
VERSION HISTORY:
Version 1.2 - November 27, 1993
- Can store up to 50 processes.
- Has the ability to run in silent mode.
- Can turn off writing to disk when you are editing the Log File.
- Uses less processer time.
Version 1.1 - September 20, 1993
- Peeping Tom know uses less and less of the processor's time.
- Added more dialog items with the notification manager.
Version 1.0 - September 1, 1993
- First release version.
- Has only been tested on a Centris 610. Works in 32 bit addressing mode.
KNOWN PROBLEMS:
To make sure that all processes are logged when you edit the log file, press the Shift-Control-Command key down for a few seconds. This makes Peeping Tom store all the records in memory instead of flushing them to disk. The same key sequence will resume the writing to disk. This is not necessary since at shutdown Peeping Tom will write its memory contents to disk regardless if it was blocked or not.
COPYING PEEPING TOM:
Peeping Tom is shareware. If you use this program I ask that you send me a small shareware fee of $5.00. This is a very small price to pay to keep me writing more software. Once you become a registered user you will be eligible for all new versions of Peeping Tom.
I understand that for foreign users, exchanging currency can be very troublesome. So I ask that foreign users send me the equivalent of $5.00 in your nation's currency. If the cost of sending mail is very high, then take the postage fee out of the shareware fee and send me the difference.
I can license the use of Peeping Tom at an individual site for $5.00 a machine up to $50.00. After that any additional computers at that site are free.
Peeping Tom is shareware, but feel free to distribute this program to others (with the Read Me file included). I only ask that if you use Peeping Tom that you pay the shareware fee.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
I enjoy getting e-mail from people regarding programs I write. Please send all comments, questions or suggestions to me at the following address:
