Hey everyone! I've been away from the tech world for about ten years, and I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. I'm planning to build new PCs with my niece and nephew, who are now teenagers, and I'd like to involve them in choosing parts and managing a budget. My goal is to have them start with SATA HDDs and no dedicated video cards so they can appreciate the upgrades later, which I think will help them learn the ropes while enjoying some hands-on experience.
The catch is I need to ensure these PCs are secure. I don't plan to give them unlimited internet access or let them roam around unsupervised. I'm considering options like locking down the PCs with Windows Pro, potentially using Azure AD for some basic GPO policies, and filtering internet access.
I'm also open to suggestions for affordable and manageable ways to limit their computer access and monitor usage. I'd really appreciate any thoughtful suggestions instead of expensive enterprise solutions. Thanks!
5 Answers
I love the idea of building PCs together! However, I suggest reconsidering starting them off with HDDs; using aging tech can test their patience. Instead, you might want to get a mid-range GPU right off the bat. Perhaps show them how to hunt for good deals in the used market? For monitoring, if you go the domain route, set up Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and consider using Pi-hole for DNS filtering. It will help manage what they can access without being too restrictive.
Definitely steer clear from HDDs for Windows 11! They're just too slow for modern apps. Consider web filtering at the router level, and educate your kids about online privacy tools. You could also use sites like PCPartPicker to help them understand better.
I get the whole slow PC experience idea, but starting with HDD can really hamper their excitement for using the builds. I'd suggest at least a low-cost SSD.
Have you thought about using Microsoft’s Family Safety features? You can set up child accounts for your niece and nephew under your Microsoft account and use the Family Safety app to manage their settings. It allows you to control website access and app usage without needing complex setups.
If it's easy monitoring you want, I'd recommend just getting a NET NANNY license. It’s straightforward and does a lot of the heavy lifting for internet safety for your niece and nephew.
Check out Proxmox for managing your VMs. It's a solid solution for creating an environment that mimics business setups without breaking the bank. Use container solutions for modular services, and you could even run Windows VMs for practice. Just a thought to align with your tech expertise without overwhelming your setup.
I currently use Proxmox too. It can definitely simplify managing multiple services. Just remember that you probably want something simple for your sister’s place.
Good point about the HDDs! If you want them to learn about upgrades, you can still use an SSD to start. Just let them know what to expect from older tech once they feel the difference.