--- Forwarded Message from Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Sender: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 08:37:34 -0600
>To: LLTI <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: #6607 Students downloading programs <fwd>
>Disposition-Notification-To: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Return-Receipt-To: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Priority: NORMAL


We have about 58 PC's running Word in our labs, all of which are
accessible to our international students for self-access.  Although we
stress at new student orientations (and in signs all over the labs and
on each monitor) that students are not to download programs or fonts in
their own language, they continue to do so.  We explain that downloading
programs changes system folders and cause other difficulties, but it
makes no difference to the students.  We were told about some software
called "Fortress" that will prevent students from doing this, but we
can't find this company.  Could anyone help with information about
Fortress or some other software that we could use?  I should mention
that on Friday afternoons, we do reimage the computers and change from
Netscape to Internet Explorer to allow students to write in their own
language, but the rest of the time we want the labs to be English Only,
in keeping with our immersion program policy.  We would appreciate any
suggestions you might have.

>> Hi Barbara,  
I think Fortres is exactly what you might be looking for.  The URL for 
Fortres is http://www.fortres.com/

We have Windows 98 PCs in our lab and we run Fortres Clean Slate.  This 
is a good product for the most part.  Students can still download 
whatever they wish and use it, but the moment that the machine is 
rebooted, all that material is erased and the machine is left configured
exactly as you made it before applying the security.  When you need to 
run an update on your plug-ins or make any other changes that you want 
to be lasting, you simply disable the security, restart the machine, 
make the changes you want, re-enable the security and then reboot again.
As well, if you have a program that requires that material be written to
a folder (one of our CD-Roms works like this, or maybe if your students 
record audio in the lab) all you need to do is make that particularly 
folder writeable.  That way, when you do want to go through and clean up
your computer, all you need to do is discard the material contained in 
that one folder, not the whole machine.  

The only problem that we have experienced is that we don't ask our 
students to reboot between users (many reasons).  Occassionally the 
computer starts behaving strangely.  Then it's usually just a matter of 
rebooting the machine at that time and it works perfectly fine.  

Good luck with your search for something to meet your needs.

Sincerely,
Deanne Cobb
Language Lab Manager
Language Institute
University of Regina

" the only thing he ought to consider, if he does anything, is whether he does right or wrong, 
whether it is what a good man does or a bad man."  
--Plato 

"I will be correspondent to command, And do my spiriting gently."
 - William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "The Tempest", Act 1 scene 2

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