Securing a word processing station

[GusCalderon]

Hi there! I have to secure two word processing stations in my library. These stations should be used for word, excel and powerpoint only (no internet access). The machines are running on Windows XP pro. What I want to do is that when the user logs in, they are greeted with the icons for the applications. They can then launch the application and save to floppy ONLY (or USB flash drives, if I can get it to work).

Has any of you successfully done this? If so, please enlighten me with the method and software that you used. Thank you very much.

Gus Calderon
Library Technology Specialist

[Scott]

Use PWB as a shell in Desktop mode that only allows a local file that uses the PWB Dynamic External Java Commands to create an interface that opens applications.

http://www.teamsoftwaresolutions.com/beta/external.htm

Then use Windows Policies to hide all that local drives.

I have seen others do something similar to this, and with a little HTML programming you should be able to create an interface to do what you propose.

--Scott

[GusCalderon]

Thank you for the information!

One more thing. Are you aware of any way to close applications (such as Word and Excel) after a certain period of inactivity? This ability would be great in our word processing kiosk.

[Scott]

Check out WinBatten. It is an application that is currently in testing, but it has an inactivity timer that will close all applications after a specified time of inactivity.

You can download WinBatten from our Beta Download page.

--Scott

[Scott]

If you are using PWB as the Shell, you could use the PWB inactivity timer with an exit action in conjunction with the PWB Shut Down Script and the Close All applicaiton available on our Download page to close all applications due to inactivity.

--Scott