Simple Example

The adult siblings of a widowed father want to keep an eye on him.  He is independent but isn't as healthy as he used to be.

They grab an old computer that they no longer use and set it up in dad's home.  They get him the cheapest broadband connection.  They setup the email account that came with the Internet and then setup 2CUROK as the screensaver.  They tell dad not to turn the computer off and that when it starts to ring a bell just to move the mouse or press a key.

2CUROK runs on the computer which dad occasionally uses but mostly sits in the corner doing very little.  Every day the bell rings and he starts to keep an eye out for the countdown and moves the mouse each day to reset the countdown before it activates.

Each day 2CUROK sends an email to the son/daughter that most uses the Internet.  The email just reports his activity and confirms that the computer is on and 2CUROK is operating and all appears to be OK.

One day, dad goes out all day.  2CUROK tracks that there hasn't been any activity for 24 hours and it rings an audible alarm requesting that the dad reset the countdown.  After another hour it sends an alert to the son/daughter advising them that its been 25 hours since there has been any activity on his computer.  The son/daughter knows about the day out and calls their dad to tell them that the alert has gone off but they know is all OK.  Dad gets in late to hear the alarm still going.  He resets the alarm and an email goes to the same son/daughter updating them that the alarm has been reset.

One morning dad has a health problem and collapses.  He can't get up and needs help.  Later that afternoon, 2CUROK hasn't had any activity on the computer for 24 hours so it starts the audible alarm bell.  Dad can't reach the computer and the bell continues.  After another hour the automated alert email goes to the closest son/daughter.  The daily email advising of the OK status isn't sent because the audible alarm is operating.

The son/daughter who regularly uses the Internet is on a holiday so doesn't get the alert email.  Dad remains stranded on the floor.

After another 24 hours, the audible alarm is still going and 2CUROK sends an automated alarm email to all the contacts that dad has that have email addresses.  One of his friends gets the email and calls his house line but doesn't get an answer.  The friend calls one of the children who then calls the house and then the house of the neighbour.  The neighbour checks the house and finds that the car is in the driveway, the lights are on, the door is locked and that the computer audible alarm is going. 

The neighbour gets permission to go in from one of the children and finds dad on the floor.  They call an ambulance and dad is taken to hospital.

There is no guarantee that everyone will live happily ever after, but 2CUROK is one more way to look after those close to us.