Restart Reminder

Restart Reminder is an application which constructs and sends a simple email to a specified user to instruct them of a restart. The alert is triggered when the system uptime exceeds the specified time values (default: 3 days). A secondary notification is triggered (default: 7 days) and provides another method of reminding. Either with another email address or the address of another person.

Configuration

All the necessary steps to get this project working.

Email Settings

Optional: It is highly recommended to register a new email for this application and add it to the address book of the email recipient(s). Reasons:

• Hardcoded credentials and passwords
• Default settings don't offer the best security

Configure email for less secure apps. This is dependent on service provider.

• Using Gmail in combination with less secure apps will be the easiest and quickest setup.
• It's recommended to use App Passwords or similar methods.

Download & Configure

• Clone or manually download.

• Modify these values for (Email.java) to connect and send emails. If using TLS and the less secure email connection, then you won't need to change host or port.

/* Default email credentials and settings */
private String host = "smtp.gmail.com", username = "gmail_username", password = "gmail_password";
private int port = 587;

/* Default email information */
private String emailSender = "gmail_username@gmail.com", emailRecepient = "",
               emailSubject = "Email Subject - Restart Reminder",
               emailBody = "System restart recommended.";

• Optional: Modify these values for (Schedule.java) to change the schedule.
  • Otherwise, email reminders will be sent everyday after 3 days with the secondary method starting after 7 days.
  • System is checked and reminders are sent at 6:30 PM.

/* Scheduler values */
private static final long MS_IN_DAY = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;  // 24 Hours in MS, Used to repeat everyday
private static final int SCHEDULE_HOUR = 18;                // Schedule Hour (24-hour format e.g. 3PM = 15)
private static final int SCHEDULE_MIN = 30;                 // Schedule Minute (60 minute format)

/* Amount of days until reminder sent */
private static final int NEED_RESTART = 3;                  // Amount of days elapsed to begin reminding
private static final int NEED_IMM_RESTART = 7;              // Amount of days elapsed to alert other user

Installation

Create a JAR.

• Ex. Build Artifact with Intellij. JAR will be located in ~/out/.../restartreminder/.

Optional: Allow it to boot at startup.

• Windows
  • Drop into Startup folder.
• Linux
  • Add to Startup Applications with Gnome Tweak Tooll.

Usage

I'd recommend only for personal use. Defintely wouldn't advise using in any business/commerical environment.

It is possible to use Restart Reminder to send SMS and/or MMS with enough information using SMS/MMS gateways. Just change recepient to proper domain gateway with the phone number.

• Can use to SMS/MMS a user as the primary or secondary reminder.
• Ex. Sending a SMS/MMS to 713-123-4567 with T-Mobile carrier is emailRecepient = "71312345657@tmomail.net".

TODO

• Fix all instances where I misspelled 'recipient'.
• Configure/tweak/test to support App Passwords by default.
• Add logging.
• Add 'Annoy' feature.

Why!?

1. For those whom disable auto-restart. Windows restarts systems during specified times to apply updates. This can cause issues with some applications. Disabling auto-restart fixes the issue but now leaves the system susceptible since updates aren't applied without manually restarting.

2. Fix all the annoying issues that occur when users don't reboot their system often. You know the ones...

Resources

1. Google - Send email from a printer, scanner, or app
2. Google - Sing in using App Passwords
3. Google - Less secure apps & your Google Account
4. Wikipedia - SMS Gateway
5. Github - Cloning a Repository