Re: help for teacher

From: joe16 (joe16_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/12/04 

Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 11:33:01 -0800

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> joe16 wrote:
> > Hi.
> >
> > I'm a teacher. I have difficulties with malicious users.
> > I have windows 2000 server and 98SE at the nodes. I am
> > using 2000 server as a print server with a usb printer. I
> > am using system policy editor with 98SE and have
> > integrated it with 2000 server with success. The students
> > log on under the same user name with the same restrictions.
> > The students use notepad a lot.
> >
> > I'm going to try to be as specific as I can. I would like
> > to not allow students to change the print settings through
> > notepad. I can set a great number of restrictions at the
> > server. I can set defaults through the printer. However,
> > according to what I have learned these can be overriden by
> > the user through the applications.
> >
> > A log on script won't work because they can still change
> > the settings after they log on. I was thinking about
> > getting into the registry, but doesn't the user settings
> > change the registry settings? I don't know whether I need
> > some kind of automated script that runs everytime they
> > click on the print button or what?
> >
> > I'm really only concerned about limiting their activity
> > through notepad right now. Thanks in advance.
> > .
>
> Since you have Windows 9x clients, you can't really secure anything to speak
> of, as I'm sure you know already. You might want to post in a Windows 98
> group for help with the policy options you do have there, but again, they
> aren't bulletproof IIRC. Any chance you can get these machines upgraded to
> XP Pro? You can do a lot with domain group policies that way.
>
> Thanks,

Found a few third party's that seem possible: printfil and batch print pro.
 Printfil prints to a file and then a virtual printer prints the job. I
don't know if I can print to file without the students getting into the
printer through the driver which I suppose will come up. I would imagine as
long as a driver in installed on the users account on 98 they are going to be
able to access page setup through notepad.

I e-mailed printfil and they seem to think they can hide their driver. I
just discovered this Sun morning. It's funny how suddenly you find
something.

I can have the kids save to a shared file on the network, but I'm assuming
that the driver will still come up.

I noticed one other thing. I never realized you can drag and drop to a
printer. When I do this with my printer, nothing comes up. No printer
interface . . . nothing. Maybe I can put a printer shortcut somewhere. But
then if they can drag and drop to it, I imagine they will be able to get into
the printer through the shortcut.

I'm just thinking out loud here. I agree with posting to 98. I'm just
going to have to play around with poledit on 98 too. Maybe I can still lock
them down enough, but still allow them to drag and drop. Thanks a ton.

Interestingly I had posted to the printing newsgroup and got no response in
5 days. I posted to scripting and got a response immediately. I also want
you to know that I appreciate you MVPs helping people out. Sometimes it's
pretty rough out here. You keep the beginning spirit of the internet going.
>

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