NAL Alternative? 1

[pjcarmen]

This question has been asked a few times in this and other forums with no real resolution that I could find.

My problem is this: We are moving from Novell and Zenworks to A windows 2003 environment this summer. All of the desktop machines currently use the App Launcher that is part of Zenworks. I work in a school district, so this is very handy for the youger kids. I have had some success with using scripts to copy the proper shortcuts to a folder on the desktop during login. I do wonder however if there is a better way.

Do any of you know of a program that can provide some sort of launcher that can be configured via AD or scripting?

Keep in mind this is a Public School and can't afford a large price tag.

Thanks,

-P

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Paul
Network Admin, CCNA

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I'm not familiar with Zenworks but i'll make an MS suggestion that we use in our school.

You could use folder redirection to give them all a common desktop that is shared on the server, all you have to do then is add the shortcut to the desktop folder and everyone in that OU will receive it.

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/w2k3/gp/group_policy_folder_redirect.htm

"Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar." - Sigmund Freud

 

[pjcarmen]

Hmm, that solution is so simple, I completely overlooked it. Thanks! The KISS principal at work I guess.

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I gave my love a chicken, it had no bones. Mmmmm Chicken!
-H. Simpson

 

[rjs]

But that does not give you the ability to provide application short-cuts based on group membership, unless you create separate folder redirections per group. And even then, it does not take care of cross memberships. So user A needs application 1, 2 and 3, but user B needs application 2,3 and 4 but not 1.

Since you already own Zenworks, you just need to install eDIR on your Windows server to continue using it in a Windows environment.

R.Sobelman

http://www.tracklogins.com

 

[pjcarmen]

Good points rjs

I though about continuing to use Zenworks, but i'm not sure I want to do that. I'll have to test it out a bit first.

Thanks

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"I gave my love a chicken, it had no bones. Mmmmm Chicken!"
-H. Simpson

 

[rjs]

You can use folder redirection as suggested by bofh and limit access by group membership, but it is not the slickest implementation. Here is how I did it, but would welcome options.

On the network shared folder you use for the menu, give everyone full rights and put common applications in that top directory. For any application you wish to limit by group membership, create a subdirectory for that application, but remove permissions inheritance on that subdirectory and add only the allowed group rights. Then put the application icon in there. Users not in the group will see the folder, but will get an access denied error if they try to open. Users in the group will be able to open the folder and run the app.


R.Sobelman

http://www.tracklogins.com

 

[bofhrevenge2]

Thats a good way rjs it is how we manage our start menu as well. I'd prefer them to not see the option rather than them clicking it and being denied but haven't found a way yet.

"Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar." - Sigmund Freud