Record When
 

 

Figure 1: Record When (Optional) Settings
 

Spector Client (Client) is configured to specify when events should be recorded by selecting options within the Record When configuration tab. The Record When configuration tab can be found when:

 

 

The Client provides the capability to record many events on a computer when users are logged onto the computer. The recording of events can be limited by:

 

 

Note:  The Client configuration default is to record all events without regard to:

 

 

 

Start Recording when Windows Starts

 

This is the default configuration. When this option is checked, the Client begins recording whenever a user logs on to the monitored computer. This option can be disabled if the recorded user is going to manually control when Client recording should take place by using the Recording Hot Key.

 

 

Only Record During the Following Times

 

 

Figure 2: Record Period Dialog Box

 

Most companies will want the Client to record at all times. However, there may be certain times of day or certain days of the week when you do not want to record. For example, you use the computer at certain times of the day and you do not want your own activities recorded, or you want to allow your employees to use the computer during lunch breaks, after work, or on weekends and not record their activity during these times, but record their activity at all other times.

 

If you want to designate certain times that the Client does not record, then check the box that says Only record during the following times. Then click on the Add button to specify which days and times you want the Client to record.

 

For example, in your business environment, you may only want to record weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, but also specify a lunch break during which time the Client does not record. Let’s assume the lunch break is between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Based on this, you would take the following steps:

 

  1. Click on the Add button. The Record Period window will open

  2. Under Start Recording, in the Day field, specify Monday as the day of the week you wish to start recording

  3. In the Time field, specify the hour of 8:00 AM as the start time

  4. Under Stop Recording, in the Day field, specify Monday as the day of the week you wish to stop recording

  5. In the Time field, specify the hour of 12:00 PM as the stop time

  6. Repeat steps 1-5 for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

  7. Add the hours of 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, just as you have done in steps 1-5

  8. Click on the OK button

 

 

Only Record the following Windows users

 

The Client has the ability to specify only certain users logged into a computer should be recorded. If you want to record the activities of ALL users who log onto the computer, then you should NOT check this option. Otherwise, if you only want to record the activities of specific personnel using this computer:

 

  1. Check the Only record the following users box

  2. Click on the Add button. The New User window will open

  3. Type in the Windows login names of the user you wish to monitor

  4. Click on the OK button

  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each user you wish to monitor

 

Note:  Only the Windows user name should be entered. The domain name should NOT be entered. The Windows user name is NOT case sensitive.

 

 

Only Record the following applications

 

Most businesses will want the Client to record at all times the computer is being used, regardless of the application or program being run. However, there may be a situation where you ONLY want the Client to record when a specific Windows application is used (possibly a business critical application) and you do NOT want to record everything else happening on the computer.

 

Note:  If you want the Client to record all the time, then make sure that the Only Record the Following Applications box is NOT checked.

 

If you wish to limit the Client to recording only certain applications, the Client must have the executable file name of the application. In order to configure the executable file name:

 

  1. Check the Only Record the Following Applications box

  2. Click on Record Only Applications Listed

  3. Click on the Add button. The Select Applications to Record window will open. It is necessary to configure the executable file name of the application to record. This can be done by selecting the current programs running on the computer, browsing to a specific application executable file, or typing the executable file name. The folder path of the file name is NOT necessary.

  4. The applications listed are the current applications running on the computer from which you are configuring. These may or may not be the same applications you want to record on the computer. If you are unsure, you can either use the Browse button to find the executable application file, or you can run the application on the computer from which you are configuring, and then select the application from the list. The correct application file name will be added for any applications in the list.

  5. Click on the OK button

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 to add other applications you wish to record

 

Note:  The Client will only record when the applications listed have Windows focus. It will not record if the applications listed do NOT have Windows focus, even if the applications are running in the background.

 

If you wish to EXCLUDE certain applications from being recorded:

 

  1. Check the Only Record the Following Applications box

  2. Click on Record All Applications Except These Listed

  3. Click on the Add button. The Select Applications to Record window will open. It is necessary to configure the executable file name of the application to record. This can be done by selecting the current programs running on the computer, browsing to a specific executable application file, or typing the executable file name. The folder path of the file name is NOT necessary

  4. The applications listed are the current applications running on the computer from which you are configuring. These may or may not be the same applications you want to record on the computer. If you are unsure, you can either use the Browse button to find the executable application file, or you can run the application on the computer from which you are configuring, and then select the application from the list. The correct application file name will be added for any applications in the list

  5. Click on the OK button

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 to add other applications you wish to exclude

 

Note:  The Client will only record when the applications listed have Windows focus. An application may be running but not have Windows focus.

 

 

Toggle Record HotKey

 

 

Figure 3: Hotkey Settings
 

When the activities of a user are being recorded by the Client, the user normally does not have the ability to control when his or her computer is recorded. There are situations in which you may want to provide the capability to the computer's user to manually control when their computer is recorded. This can be done by specifying that the Client should NOT start recording when the user logs on and providing a Record Hotkey for the user to toggle recording ON and OFF.

 

In order for the user to know whether recording is enabled or disabled when they toggle the Record Hotkey, SpectorSoft suggests that you configure the Client for non-stealth installation. By configuring the Client for non-stealth, a red box in the Windows system tray will indicate whether recording is enabled or disabled each time the Record Hotkey is toggled. The display of the red box in the system tray indicates to the user that recording is enabled.

 

By default, there is NOT a Record Hotkey defined and recording cannot be manually controlled by the computer's user.

 

Example: When a Record Hotkey is configured and a user logs into the computer, recording starts immediately. If the user is about to run an application that they do not want recorded, they would press the Record Hotkey combination. If the Client is configured for non-stealth mode, the user would see the red square in the system tray disappear, indicating that recording has stopped. Once the user has finished using the application, he or she would press the Record Hotkey again. Recording would resume and the red square would be displayed in the Windows system tray.

 

To set up your Record Hotkey:

 

  1. Click on the Settings button

  2. Click on the Record When tab

  3. Click on the Toggle Record Hotkey button. The Hotkey window will open

  4. Press any combination of the Ctrl, Shift, Alt and Windows keys

  5. Type in any letter, digit, or function key

  6. Click on the OK button

 

 

Take Snapshot Hotkey

 

 

Figure 4: Hotkey Settings
 

Another method to allow the computer's user to manually control when the Client records, is by use of the Snapshot Hotkey.  

 

The Snapshot Hotkey allows a Snapshot of the display screen to be taken anytime the Snapshot Hotkey combination is pressed on the computer. When the Snapshot Hotkey combination is pressed, a Snapshot of the screen will be recorded, regardless of whether Snapshot recording is enabled, or whether Event recording is enabled.

 

A Snapshot Hotkey is NOT defined by default. If you define a Snapshot Hotkey, SpectorSoft recommends Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P.

 

 To Configure a Snapshot Hotkey:

 

  1. Click on the Settings button

  2. Click on the Record When tab

  3. Click on the Take Snapshot Hotkey button.  The Hotkey window will open

  4. Click on any combination of the Ctrl, Shift, Alt, and Windows keys

  5. Type in any letter, digit or function key

  6. Click on the OK button

 

 

 Make sure that these Hotkeys are not the same as the Hotkey to bring up the Client (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S). This is NOT a concern if the Spector Viewer is NOT installed as part of the Client configuration.

 

 

 

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