PCEye

Turn your PC into a simple home alarm system with this application. PCEye's multitabbed interface is an odd combination of childlike labels and simple fields and radio buttons. The program's easy-to-follow setup wizard makes short work of the process. PCEye monitors your system Webcam for movement. It's also easy to set the app to monitor the keyboard, mouse, and microphone. Any activity will trigger the alarm if it exceeds a user-set level.

Once PCEye's alarm is triggered, it quickly follows user-set notification instructions. With a few simple settings the app will call through your home phone system, send e-mail upload images to an FTP server, play a sound, or send text to the system display. A simple text box allows you to easily set notification order. You can also manually set the alarm with a key press. The e-mail alarm is easily set to send to numerous addresses. The phone alarm requires a voice enabled modem, an old-fashioned approach in the world of VOIP. It's relatively easy to set the app to shutdown the alarm by phone, though. You merely call your modem and enter a pin number.

PCEye is easily set to send all-OK notifications as well. PCEye's weakness is power. Shutting down your PC stops all notifications. It has a generous 60-day trial. Experienced users without a dedicated alarm system may find something to like with this simple app.