[MW Forums]

Wiebetech's Mouse Jiggler keeps a computer from falling asleep. more

[stukdog]

I might be missing something, but does this have any benefits over the freeware (software) application of the same name?
http://www.freemacware.com/jiggler

[keath]

How does this compare with going into the Energy Saver preferences and telling the computer and display to sleep Never?
'Forensics experts' have snagged my computer and can't change the preference settings, but they have priveleges to install an application? I don't get it.

[Graeme_Smith]

With this thing they DON'T have to install any thing. Just plug in the Mouse Jiggler

[StuPid_QPid]

Move mouse to system preferences, set screen saver to never, set sleep to never...
Cost: $0
Not sure why anyone would need to pay $30 for this...
Correct me if I'm wrong.

[daneb]

Why would I spend $30 to buy something that has the same effect as tweaking your Energy saver settings. If it's set to "Never" that means "never," not "I'll sleep if I feel like it."

[Peter Cohen]

Well, my first thought is that it doesn't just work on the Mac, but on the PC as well.
But secondly, by providing constant mouse action, it may override security software that will lock the screen after a period of idle activity regardless of other system settings.
I admit that for the normal, casual user, this is overkill -- you can just as easily reconfigure your computer to behave as you want it to using system preferences. But for forensics experts and IT people, I'm willing to bet this is a useful niche.

[TheBum]

Quote:

---

Move mouse to system preferences, set screen saver to never, set sleep to never...
Cost: $0
Not sure why anyone would need to pay $30 for this...
Correct me if I'm wrong.

---

If the computer is logged into a normal account, the sleep preferences may not be modifiable without an admin password, which a forensic expert probably won't have. I always run a normal account for day-to-day use due to security concerns.

[StuPid_QPid]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Move mouse to system preferences, set screen saver to never, set sleep to never...
Cost: $0
Not sure why anyone would need to pay $30 for this...
Correct me if I'm wrong.

---

If the computer is logged into a normal account, the sleep preferences may not be modifiable without an admin password, which a forensic expert probably won't have. I always run a normal account for day-to-day use due to security concerns.

---

Ok, I guess I stand (sit) corrected /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Mind you still seems like a niche in a niche market.

[Peter Cohen]

Quote:

---

Mind you still seems like a niche in a niche market.

---

No argument, but that's WiebeTech's focus -- a big chunk of their product line is specifically focused on forensics and data recovery. So again, for them, it makes sense.

[sigma8]

I think if your computer is seized for forensic reasons, one of the last things they should be doing is installing applications onto it. Wouldn't that be like removing a gun from the crime scene with your bare hands?

[OM_user]

Quote:

---

f the computer is logged into a normal account, the sleep preferences may not be modifiable without an admin password, which a forensic expert probably won't have.

---

OK, then boot the Mac (if it's a Mac) off a Mac OS X install CD and reset the admin password from the Password Utility.
Of course, one way to even prevent this would be if the Mac had an open firmware password set. Still, seems like it's targeting a small market.

[j_drake]

Quote:

---

Of course, one way to even prevent this would be if the Mac had an open firmware password set. Still, seems like it's targeting a small market.

---

From Peter Cohen -

Quote:

---

But secondly, by providing constant mouse action, it may override security software that will lock the screen after a period of idle activity regardless of other system settings.

---

Which is my situation, if you get wraped up in a conversation and are not active on the PC it goes into secure screen saver, sometimes I remember to give the Expert Mouse ball a spin but most often I do not. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I'm going to give this a try might be worth the bucks, especially since no software needs to be installed.

[Dan Frakes]

Quote:

---

Still, seems like it's targeting a small market.

---

And I'm sure WiebeTech would be the first to say so.
The computing world is quite diverse, and many people have specific needs that the broader "generic home user" doesn't. As Peter noted, WiebeTech is one of the major vendors serving the forensic market. No one said, "This is a must-have gadget for everyone!" /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif