PC OS DVR!

Another great idea...it just might change the world.

I commonly wonder about the things we miss when watching or listening to something that streaming over the internet on our computers. I go, ..."what did they say??" ..or "what was that web site address?".

Don't you? Or, ..what if you saw something you wanted to see again that only happens once each time your computer is booted. What if you installed something and your network / IT guy comes around and says, "what were the options you chose when you installed that?" or "what web site were you on when that program installation came up?"

How about this...you're online entering information in some forms, ..of course, you can't go BACK and see what you entered into certain parts of the form because they "expire" when you do that. You then wonder, .."what did I put in for my contact number?"

Well, the technology is simple enough to make for every day PC use, and its been used for years now in Satellite TV receivers. Its called DVR (Digital Video Recorder..or alteast I think it is). Why can I rewind live-tv or record a program or movie with outside video signals using a remote control, but I can't record my own computer??

Here's what I believe either Microsoft needs to put into Windows Vista, or somebody needs to come up with and make on their own:

PC Operating System-Based DVR
* Rewind your own PC up to any amount of time that you pre-specified in the settings. For example, 30-45 minutes?

* Record your own PC and everything about it, or just the audio from it, or just the video output.

* Include audio and video output when "rewinding" your PC.

* Schedule recordings of audio, video or both.

* Schedule to record temporary videos of the PC throughout the day for checking on what the kids are doing.

* Schedule to record video/audio of the PC whenever the computer is no longer idle. (-Have a video log of your computer every time it is accessed! Who got in to your PC and logged into your bank account online??)

* Set periodic or non-idle based recordings to upload to a web site for you to monitor when you're away from your computer.

* Set your web-cam to record at the same time your periodic or non-idle events do, then see who actually was in front of the computer when it was being accessed!

* PAUSE your computer screen or audio or both in real time...then let it play back when you're ready.

* Share your recorded sessions with friends online or on a CD/DVD.

Shouldn't "Rewinding" your PC be more powerful than Satellite TV rewind? I think so!
Why not make the rewinding's auto-record feature allow you to actually SET BACK your PC to the very moment you are looking at in the rewind....all changes to memory and hard disk could be logged all the way back to as far as you want...and then restored instantly.

Oh imagine! You download a game ....instantly your computer is infected with spyware and trojans....hmm ..... zzzzip. ...rewind to before installing..click a restore button...and BADA BING BADA BOOM - Your computer is free from utter DOOM!

I love this idea. I want to have this on every PC I use. Just think of the possibilities...think of the time it would save, and the problems it would fix...and the convenience of it.

What if you need to show up for one of those online meeting things, but you know that you don't need to interact...you just don't want to miss it is all. Just schedule it in, and then later go and play it as if you never missed a beat.

What if you watch TV online? I do and its frustrating that I can't save the shows I watch and see them later, especially if I miss them. You could record just the portion of the screen that is showing the show, and then when you watch it again, you can watch it full screen (just the show), or in a window like it was originally.

What about the internet radio show you always miss. I know I always miss one. I never seem to remember that its on until after its over. If I just schedule a windows Scheduled Task to load up the internet radio station, and schedule my computer to record the audio, then I'll never miss it!
This should come standard with any pc. Yes, of course it opens up more issues regarding privacy and intellectual property and copyright laws. Because anybody would easily be able to record a DVD movie being played on their pc, and then send it to all their friends and mass distribute it online ...possibly trading with other people for software or music or any other type of media that's being shared right now on peer to peer networks. The fact is, that knowing whats going on with your PC is your business, and should be your right. Knowing that you can restore your PC by backing it up rewind style to protect it from malicious software like viruses and spyware should be a constitutional amendment and every PC owner's right...just like to speak freely.

Right now most of this is already available in separate packages and sold usually for a hefty price. People usually use it for recording tutorials, and some use it to capture things on the internet that they can't easily save...like some kinds of quicktime movies and other stuff.

I wish I was a majorly talented developer and could do it myself, but too bad...I'm not and I can't.

I'm just trying to learn how to develop web sites in a professional way...and web applications. I'd like to be able to do games too...but I'm learning bit by bit. ...haha...no pun intended.