Re: computerdisc-l: Upgrades

[Cynthia Kahler <kahler@watervalley.net>]

We use Fortress on most of our PC computers in our district.  It was loaded
on my Windows95 lab last year when I taught Computer Discovery.  It does a
good job of locking you out of Windows Explorer, hard drives, etc., and
most of windows.  However, unless I'm missing something in what you said,
it can not do anything about locking you out of certain sites on the
Internet.  You can either be locked out of the Internet completely or not
be locked out at all.  You can lock certain drives, programs, directories -
not Internet sites.  My students did also find ways to bypass Fortress and
run executables through applications such as Hyperstudio.

I become more of a firm believer in AUP's every day that I'm involved with
technology.  We will never lock or students out of everything, even with
blocking software.  They need to know there are consequences for their
actions.

Yes, Fortress can be expensive - but it solves many problems.

Cynthia Kahler
Instructional Technologist
Oxford School District


At 07:36 AM 11/05/1999 PST, Robert wrote:
>Here are my thoughts so far as to the upgrade:
>
>There are definite problems that have not and maybe cannot be solved with
>the script, policy editor, Windows 98 and Novell 5.  Windows 98 allows the
>interface with so much of the Internet that it is almost impossible to lock
>it out. The suggestion has been made that the State Dept. look into software
>called Fortress but this is supposed to be expensive.  
>
>We are delighted with Micro Type Pro.  An excellent keyboarding package that
>is cost effective and can be licensed for the entire school district at the
>same time as Computer Discovery.
>
>Best investment we have made: the black keyboard covers for about 11 bucks a
>computer.
>
>
>Worst investment we have made:  the HP printer.  I know that it is much
>better that the Okidata but for that kind of money we should have been able
>to do color laser. We still have not gotten the correct printer driver to
>work the printer either.  
>
>Another mistake- not having a video card that can capture as well as have
>video output.   Could have eliminated our old Averkey system as well as
>allowed input for video conferencing and video for student reports for use
>in Hyperstudio, for example.  Would have been very litte difference in
>price.
>
>Robert Barnard Jr.
>Clarksdale Public Schools
>Computer Discovery 
>
>
>
>
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