Front ends

Question

We have now about 30 users (and growing monthly) with Windows PCs who would manage quite well if there was a decently restrictive front end which allowed access to only those parts of the system that ran appropriate software and could be supported by a parent or an untrained ancillary assistant.
They are either too restrictive and difficult for a lay person to use or they just don't work.
What front ends have people used and can suggest ?

Replies

I haven't tried it but it looks, from the Windows 95 Resource Kit, that you can use a program called poledit, on the Windows 95 CDROM, but not normally installed,
to set up policies including applying a fixed desktop. I don't know whether it is
clear enough without buying the WRK. Let me know how easy it is!

RM users will know better than I, but I think that this is one of the things that
their Windows Box allows you to control.
Regards

Ian Litterick

What about the front end for kids provided in their
Windows Plus pack for Kids.

Any comments ?
Mike Blamires

As the bundled software in Window Boxes needs to be supplemented by more appropriate programs for learners with special educational needs, the management of the RM system has to be addressed before it is much use.
i.e. someone has to know how to add new programs; then add them to the Resource Cupboard; then assign them to the required user group; and finally adjust the layout of the user's screen. RM Window Boxes come with training vouchers but I understand the take-up is not very high.
RM is now setting up Special Needs Window Box Partners so hopefully the training on offer can be more specialised. Perhaps someone from RM can give us more details?

Le Computer has a front-end for Windows 95 called Menu which I
understand is a development of the Acorn version. (Tel: 01376 348 886).
Again perhaps Le Computer can give us more details.

Lesley Rahamim

Dear Lesley and SENIT readers

I'd rather see this bit as providing information than advertising. So in response to Lesley's questions:

The security bit of the Window Box is called RM ClassMate. ClassMate is designed to provide a secure logon for MS Windows that allows pupils to work in a standard looking Windows 95/8 environment (Start Button, Taskbar etc.), but stops them changing or deleting anything on the desktop. Our research shows that, as most children are using Windows on their home systems nowadays, it's important that pupils work within this standard environment.
Many other security solutions for Windows (apart from not being very secure) work by splatting a new front end on top of Windows. The other priority is that it's as simple as possible for teachers to manage.

The ClassMate management tool allows teachers to distribute any software to any user they choose. To do this, they must first install the software on the PC in the standard Windows 95 manner. They then copy the icon for this software into their Resource Cupboard using the ClassMate Manager tool.
It's then available for them to distribute to any users they wish.

In addition to all the usual security features, ClassMate also allows simple, zero management sharing of printers and Internet access between numbers of PCs linked together. Since all Window Box systems today come with an Ethernet card ready fitted, this is now a relatively simple process.

Our focus on SEN will be growing significantly in the coming months. The first thing we have done is launch a SEN Window Box Partnership. Training vouchers obtained with Window Box can now be redeemed for specific SEN training from these centres. The current membership includes CENMAC, The Advisory Unit, the RNIB, Inclusive Technology and The ACE Centre, among others. These specialists will be able to focus on the needs of the schools and individual pupils for whom the Window Box systems are intended. More initiatives aimed at providing the best possible support for the SEN community will be following in the very near future.

Ian Skeels
Group Product Manager
RM Window Box

Menu for Windows is a front end security and launcher program for Windows 95.

1 Can be set up as a shell - which makes it more secure
2 Safe-mode booting does not get around Menu
3 Stops ctrl/alt/delete
4 Alt/tab switching is controlled by Menu's switch function
5 The Start Menu is disabled
6 Password protection into Administrator's menu
7 Allows Administrator-only menus e.g.to allow new programs to be installed etc
8 SINGLE CLICK ACCESS TO LAUNCH PROGRAMS

Have a look at our website for some screenshots and some more details

Vanessa Lees
Le Computer--

I've implemented a simple "front end" in Win95 for our VI pupils which may be of interest to some colleagues. It's partly home-made and partly supported by security software. It consists of four main elements:

1. An icon-free desktop. This means that speech users are not regularly "drowned" with irrelevant speech as the screen reader works its way through the text of each icon in turn.

2. Shortcut keys to launch frequently used applications, e.g.
<ctrl>+<shift>+<W> launches MS Word etc. This is brilliant in terms of helping the pupils get started quickly.

3. A well-organised set of folders based on the win95 start menu. This stores details of all the programs at the pupils' disposal. Needed for those applications without shortcut keys!

4. A (partially) locked down win95 using a (free) security program called Security Setup. This limits the amount of damage pupils can do to the system.

One system that hasn't been mentioned unless I missed it is Catflap from Blackcat software In so far as all these systems are a bloody nuisance this seems reasonable and easy to de-activate 'on the fly' - you don't have to re-boot to get rid of it.

David Colven
Technical Advisor

The ACE Centre Advisory Trust

Childlock from Visionsoft ?