MacRumors - WhatPulse Team

WillEH · Aug 3, 2011

PLEASE READ http://whatpulse.org/policy/ - They don't store any information, they only count the key strokes. They don't store what keys you type.

I thought this would be a lovely community project that everyone could get involved in. It's free and easy.

Our team link: http://whatpulse.org/stats/teams/19402/

Go to WhatPulse.org - Sign up - then go to download page: http://whatpulse.org/downloads/ - Download the client needed (Big black X is for mac)

Then join the team with this link: http://whatpulse.org/my/teams/jointeam.php?join=19402

Let's see if we can get up the top of the list!

FAO:

1: Where is the client? - When you download the client, it will appear in your top bar with the logo W.
2: Is this spyware/keylogger - No it's a well known program used by millions to track your key strokes.

WhatPulse Stats:

Project WhatPulse has 165,934 active members, which have typed 411,089,890,696 keys, have clicked 159,078,667,600 times and moved their mouse 22,444,841 miles.

What is WhatPulse?

Sure we have a fancy website, loads of stats and lotsa users, but many people still wonder what WhatPulse exactly is. This page tries to explain a bit more about what it is, a simple keys, clicks and mouse usage counter.

The purpose of WhatPulse is simply to collect statistics about your computer behavior. Some people (Like me) use it to determine how long they've worked on something, like a programming project, a school essay, chatting by all means.

How does it work?

WhatPulse opens a so-called "keyhook" when it's booted, which listens to incoming Windows messages about the keyboard, the keyhook sends these messages to the program itself, and the program first determines if the key pressed is a proper key (Every standard keyboards' keys are counted) and then simply does PreviousKeyCount + 1.

Pulsing: When you "pulse", you're actually sending your keycounts in the program to the server along with other information about your Account, so the server can decide where to put the keycount. If the pulse goes according to plan, the server sends back an "OK", and the client's keycount is reset to 0 (zero), and your previous keys are added to your profile in the server database!

And for all you people who are thinking "oeh mi god a keylogger, no way!", well, exactly, No way. WhatPulse is not and never will be any sort of keylogger, it does not collect the keys you type, but only how many keys you type. (see our Privacy Policy)

If you would like to spread the word please put this in your signature:

Join the MacRumors WhatPulse team! Click here.

[*COLOR="Red"]Join the MacRumors WhatPulse team! Click [*URL="https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1205161/"]here[/URL].[/COLOR*] - Remove the * for it to work.

Doctor Q · Aug 3, 2011

Here's a team logo we can use, if you like.

dukebound85 · Aug 3, 2011

what is the point of having a team if you care about ones(your own) personal computer behavior?

WillEH · Aug 3, 2011

Doctor Q said:
Here's a team logo we can use, if you like.

Brilliant, thanks

dukebound85 said:
what is the point of having a team if you care about ones(your own) personal computer behavior?

It's just some good fun for the community, and a interesting project. Hopefully you'll participate.

GoCubsGo · Aug 3, 2011

Color me skeptical but this worries me and no matter what they say or what privacy policy they have in place, they are indeed logging something that I am doing and sending it to their server. Is their server secure? If you say yes then I ask, are you sure? Perhaps you can weigh in on this more. Have you been using the software?

I think your attempt to bring community together this way is nice. It probably brings people together a lot more than informing members that you find them, annoying as hell.

I just don't know that I would want my "strokes" logged even if they're claiming that they're not interested in which key was pressed, only that a key is pressed.

WillEH · Aug 3, 2011

jessica. said:
Color me skeptical but this worries me and no matter what they say or what privacy policy they have in place, they are indeed logging something that I am doing and sending it to their server. Is their server secure? If you say yes then I ask, are you sure? Perhaps you can weigh in on this more. Have you been using the software?

I think your attempt to bring community together this way is nice. It probably brings people together a lot more than informing members that you find them, annoying as hell.

I just don't know that I would want my "strokes" logged even if they're claiming that they're not interested in which key was pressed, only that a key is pressed.

Hi Jessica,

I've been using WhatPulse since 06, I've had no issues with it.

My profile: http://whatpulse.org/stats/users/199260/

Also: http://whatpulse.org/stats/signup-stats/

dukebound85 · Aug 3, 2011

WillEH said:
Hi Jessica,

I've been using WhatPulse since 06, I've had no issues with it.

My profile: http://whatpulse.org/stats/users/199260/

55miles of mouse movement?! Dear god man!

though I will ask how does it know the distance? seeing as one can change the mouse sensitivity so the same distance physically traveled by the mouse can have different cursor behavior.

WillEH · Aug 3, 2011

dukebound85 said:
55miles of mouse movement?! Dear god man!

You'll be surprised how much you type/move the mouse. You should give it a go, it's very interesting.

Theclamshell · Aug 4, 2011

That's actually a pretty sick piece of software but I would rather not take part...

WillEH · Aug 4, 2011

fun173 said:
That's actually a pretty sick piece of software but I would rather not take part...

No problem Fun, still awaiting other people to sign up. Would be a good bit of fun, and to see how far we can get up the list. As I've said before, it's used by a lot of people, it's totally safe

I've been using it since 06.

ucfgrad93 · Aug 4, 2011

jessica. said:
I just don't know that I would want my "strokes" logged even if they're claiming that they're not interested in which key was pressed, only that a key is pressed.

Agreed, I'll pass.

andalusia · Aug 4, 2011

Whilst it does look fun, I do not want information like this to be stored and held by somebody other than me. I'll pass too.

WillEH · Aug 4, 2011

ucfgrad93 said:
Agreed, I'll pass.

tristangage said:
Whilst it does look fun, I do not want information like this to be stored and held by somebody other than me. I'll pass too.

Indeed it's not everyones cup of tea, thanks for replying.

Just to confirm, they store no information, nor do they record what keys you type, only how many times you type.

http://whatpulse.org/policy/

DoFoT9 · Aug 4, 2011

hey - good recommendation! i might sign up for this

i do a LOT of typing

WillEH · Aug 4, 2011

DoFoT9 said:
hey - good recommendation! i might sign up for this i do a LOT of typing

Hey Dofo, thanks. Good to get someone on board

It's good fun, maybe get a few of the IRC guys/girls to sign up also? link them to this thread

We'd get up in no time!

Just to confirm: http://whatpulse.org/policy/

"The client checks each keystroke as it is entered to ensure that it is a valid key, but the key itself is not stored"

They don't store any of your information, nor do they record what keys you type, they only count the keys you type. So it's not logging any of your information for anyone who is skeptical about it.

Thanks again

WillEH · Aug 8, 2011

Just updating, not many people have taken part yet. Hopefully we can get some more on board.

Let's get up the top

Remember to read the privacy policy, WhatPulse don't store, nor read any keys you type. They just count any key you type.

Thanks.

mscriv · Aug 10, 2011

jessica. said:
I just don't know that I would want my "strokes" logged....

What's a matter Jess, you haven't been strokin' it much recently?

OP, I'm still a little confused about the whole point of this experience. What is WhatPulse doing with the data? Is this some massive research project or just something someone thought would be fun? I'm sure sustaining such an operation has some cost involved, servers, hosting, etc., what's their ultimate pay off or goal? Who's running it, an individual, a company, or an educational institution?

WillEH · Aug 10, 2011

mscriv said:
What's a matter Jess, you haven't been strokin' it much recently?

OP, I'm still a little confused about the whole point of this experience. What is WhatPulse doing with the data? Is this some massive research project or just something someone thought would be fun? I'm sure sustaining such an operation has some cost involved, servers, hosting, etc., what's their ultimate pay off or goal? Who's running it, an individual, a company, or an educational institution?

I have no idea to be honest. Never thought it would be such an issue. Thanks for replying.

All I can say is I've never had any issues with it, nor has the 1000's of users who use it.

Melrose · Aug 10, 2011

I love the idea, and if it stored locally or in a private profile I can delete at any time I might consider it.

I've run into keyloggers before... my computer is one of the few things I have to myself.

Love · Aug 10, 2011

Joined!

WillEH · Aug 10, 2011

Melrose said:
I love the idea, and if it stored locally or in a private profile I can delete at any time I might consider it.

I've run into keyloggers before... my computer is one of the few things I have to myself.

Thanks, hope you take part.

Love said:
Joined!

Brilliant Love, thanks so much

WillEH · Sep 10, 2011

Due to the nature, and the non-support with this. I have shut the team down. Thanks to the small portion of people who took part

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