Protecting My Daughter's Notebook?

ctwxman asks: "My daughter enters college in the fall. This past week she spent three days on campus for orientation... and had her iPod stolen! That got me to thinking about protecting her brand new laptop. I'll physically lock it to something immovable -- that's simple. However, I've got a website and it's got a log. Is there a way to make her laptop quietly 'phone home' every time it boots so I can get the IP address and always see where it is? Her machine runs XP, but knowing Slashdot, suggestions for all OSes will be appreciated."

Comments

So lemme get this straight.

[pclminion]

You want to install a piece of software on your daughter's computer so you can always know where it (and by extension, she) is? Are you sure your true motivation is really preventing the theft of the laptop?

She lost the iPod because she wasn't careful. If she can't be responsible with that, I think you've got bigger problems. She might also lose, say, her status as a non-pregnant person.

If you paid for the laptop, and you think there's a large chance she'll allow it to be stolen, don't let her take it! If she paid for it herself, let her learn the painful lesson herself. Either way, I see no need for this tracking software.

Following her around and making sure she never makes a mistake is only going to hurt her, not help her.

Re:Wrong priorities

[wolf-]

Man, I read it a little differently.

Dear Slashdot:
I want to know if my daughter is booting up in her dorm or in the frat houses on campus. But I don't want to ask that, so I have concocted this long story:

Dear Submitter:
Grow up. You had 17-18 years to teach your kid to think for herself to stay out of trouble to be responsible for her self and her belongings. Besides, if YOU lock it to a desk and take the key home, she cannot use it in the frat houses. Also, what makes you think she will be using her PC in all those other places???