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Want to help me PRANK my brother?

D

DerekHostalek

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 3, 2009
34
0
Illinois
Here's the story- ok, so my brother is staying on my couch for a couple a weeks. Well, two days ago, I set up an account for him, enabled parental controls, allowing him to only use two apps; Garageband, and Safari. EVERYTHING else is blocked, and I logged his Websites... Well as you could imagine, a guy with no girlfriend, who may be home with a computer while his brother goes to work, can get... lonely.

So here's the prank- I want to write a script that would automatically take a picture, about five minutes after he visits a certain website (which I'm only assuming is his favorite...), then make it his background, while not being able to change it. (I'm pretty sure it would just take a picture of his face...)

I don't even know if this is possible... but i thought it would be hilarious. Anyone interested in helping me?
 
Digitalflick said:
http://www.freeverse.com/apps/app/?id=7002

Periscope looks like it could come in handy.

Handy.. get it?
Click to expand...

OK, so i just downloaded the "full demo" and it doesn't look like i can run periscope in the background on my username, while logged into the other account... it doesn't let me use the camera... this could be a problem..

nice handy joke though ha

hippo206 said:
search ebay for a virgin keyboard, im sure u need one.
Click to expand...

if it's used, i'm sure its not a virgin. ha
 
lysol wipes.jpg
Though I could not say how to write the script. I would urgently suggest you buy some of these before attempting to write it.
 
I WOULD say that the sticky keyboard jokes are getting old.... but i know that would just lead to nothing but sticky keyboard jokes.:rolleyes:

So I'm just gonna say... the sticky keyboard jokes are awesome:D...

but does anyone have any equally as awesome ideas?
 
I made it for you!

Well, I've taken the time and effort to make you a little app that does just what you want!

http://localhostr.com/files/48787b/iSight+Spycam+3.zip

MAKE SURE YOU DO A DRY RUN ON THE TARGET MAC!

You must do a full test run on the mac you do this on. One to test that it works, two because there is authentication needed for this.

Also note that for stealth reasons, this has no dock icon, so if you want to abort you have to use activity monitor!

Finally, when it takes the picture, there will be a green dot in the bezel of the screen (this is unavoidable).

EDIT: Also, there will be a copy of the pic in the home folder of the user!

EDIT 2: I just posted a small bugfix! Download and test it again (sorry about that).

EDIT 3: I just realized that your brother cannot quit safari while you use this. So, keep that in mind...
 
avihappy said:
Well, I've taken the time and effort to make you a little app that does just what you want!

http://localhostr.com/files/34e76b/iSight+Spycam.zip

MAKE SURE YOU DO A DRY RUN ON THE TARGET MAC!

You must do a full test run on the mac you do this on. One to test that it works, two because there is authentication needed for this.

Also note that for stealth reasons, this has no dock icon, so if you want to abort you have to use activity monitor!

Finally, when it takes the picture, there will be a green dot in the bezel of the screen (this is unavoidable).

EDIT: Also, there will be a copy of the pic in the home folder of the user!
Click to expand...

I really really hope this works.
To the OP: If this does, be sure to post the picture.:D
 
avihappy said:
Well, I've taken the time and effort to make you a little app that does just what you want!

http://localhostr.com/files/48787b/iSight+Spycam+3.zip

MAKE SURE YOU DO A DRY RUN ON THE TARGET MAC!

You must do a full test run on the mac you do this on. One to test that it works, two because there is authentication needed for this.

Also note that for stealth reasons, this has no dock icon, so if you want to abort you have to use activity monitor!

Finally, when it takes the picture, there will be a green dot in the bezel of the screen (this is unavoidable).

EDIT: Also, there will be a copy of the pic in the home folder of the user!

EDIT 2: I just realized that your brother cannot quit safari while you use this. So, keep that in mind...
Click to expand...

First and Foremost: you are the **** for doing this.

Then; The Qs

I'm assuming that I-
open it up under his username.
Don't have to mess with anything, just need to go to the site.

if these assumptions are wrong let me know.

Now, When i launch it... it won't let me open the activity monitor in his username, and when i open it under my username, It doesn't show the application running. This doesn't seem right to me..

I tried to go to the site, and then i waited five minutes.. no green light and no picture... hmm

if this works, i'll definitely give you all the credit you deserve and post the picture here.
 
DerekHostalek said:
First and Foremost: you are the **** for doing this.

Then; The Qs

I'm assuming that I-
open it up under his username.
Don't have to mess with anything, just need to go to the site.

if these assumptions are wrong let me know.

Now, When i launch it... it won't let me open the activity monitor in his username, and when i open it under my username, It doesn't show the application running. This doesn't seem right to me..

I tried to go to the site, and then i waited five minutes.. no green light and no picture... hmm

if this works, i'll definitely give you all the credit you deserve and post the picture here.
Click to expand...

In the activity monitor, did you select All Processes?
20090107-f9kqsmebru526xpk8rtqrq2c75.png


Also, when you open it, it asks you for the URL of the site (it doesn't have to be the full URL, just the domain of the site). It also asks how long to wait before snapping the photo after it detects the site in safari.

Picture+3.png


How are you opening it? If you don't get these dialogs when you open it, then you are not even opening the app (maybe those restrictions you have?).
 
awesome this works! just type in the URL and time limit and it takes a snapshot and sets it as the desktop background. for example i tried "google.com" and "0" seconds and it works instantly. and the iSight light only goes on for a couple of seconds.

note: the URL/time limit window doesnt open to the front so it may be behind your Safari window.
 
Test Complete

avihappy said:
In the activity monitor, did you select All Processes?
20090107-f9kqsmebru526xpk8rtqrq2c75.png


Also, when you open it, it asks you for the URL of the site (it doesn't have to be the full URL, just the domain of the site). It also asks how long to wait before snapping the photo after it detects the site in safari.

Picture+3.png


How are you opening it? If you don't get these dialogs when you open it, then you are not even opening the app (maybe those restrictions you have?).
Click to expand...

Okay, this worked tremendously well after i downloaded the new one.

i set it to open upon login... now we just have to wait.

I was wondering however... if its possible to continue taking pictures... to get the reaction to the prank.. as that might be even better than the prank itself. and i figured it might be worth since it seems we have a nice audience here, which in turn would make the prank that much better.
 
DerekHostalek said:
Okay, this worked tremendously well after i downloaded the new one.

i set it to open upon login... now we just have to wait.

I was wondering however... if its possible to continue taking pictures... to get the reaction to the prank.. as that might be even better than the prank itself. and i figured it might be worth since it seems we have a nice audience here, which in turn would make the prank that much better.
Click to expand...

I could, but don't put it in startup items else it will ask him to fill in the info when he logs in!

I will put a version up that lets you take more pics.
 
avihappy said:
I could, but don't put it in startup items else it will ask him to fill in the info when he logs in!

I will put a version up that lets you take more pics.
Click to expand...

ok... So then i just need to leave him logged in, correct?

Also, does switching users mess this up at all?
 
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