Are you fed up with trying to monitor your kids' TV and gaming habits? Want them to spend more time outdoors or doing homework, but don't know how to get them to shut off that darn contraption? Get BOB to be the bad guy! Wired magazine's Gear Factor introduced me to this "time management tool" that lets you be in control by programming times during which electronic equipment can be on. BOB lets you create user accounts and set times for each of your children to have things like TVs and video game consoles on. Once the time's up BOB will shut down the device in question and your children will not be able access it without a password.

Obviously nothing can replace proper parenting, but let's face it -- as kids become more technology savvy, the struggle to get them to unplug becomes harder. I can only imagine what it's like in households with multiple children. Knowing who watched how much television can be mind-boggling. Parents get tired of arguing. If that's the case, or maybe you're a gadget lover, BOB might end up being your best friend.