Application Software and RM Window Box

1. Application Software andRM Window Box

2. Window Box • A family of solutions: • Curriculum PC - Window Box • Entry level networking - Window Box SchoolShare • Server based networking - Window Box Connect • Designed for schools • Industry standard technology – independent of RM hardware

3. Window Box • Over 50,000 installed in primary schools • Current version: Window Box 8 (Windows 98) • Variety of predecessors - mix of • Windows 3.1 • Windows 95 – July 1996 onwards • RM Classmate also available separately • Used by schools on various other PCs

4. It’s Windows!

5. Secure environment Multiple user environment ClassMate Overview • What is its purpose? • A solution for education • Provides:

6. ClassMate Overview • User’s Desktops • Present user specific view of computer - time on task, few distractions • Software grouped together, according to category, CD, software company, or any other grouping you can think of • Restrictions - more later • Physically: Profiles in the Windows folder • ALL the software is there on the machine; the desktops allow the Manager to choose which is available to any child or group of children

7. ClassMate Overview • Manager’s desktop • password protected • “non-configured” Windows • Can run all software • Can customize Users, or add new ones • Registry editing controlled by password

8. ClassMate Overview • Security part 1 • Logon screen • Password protection • Limited Start Menu • No access to Settings (Control Panel, Printers, etc.) • Cannot run Find Files • No Shut Down option • Cannot run Explorer

9. ClassMate Overview • Security part 2 • No right-click on common dialogs • No User desktop help • Maintenance Mode on User desktops • Registry editing controlled by password

11. ClassMate Overview • Classmate Manager • Customize and add new Users according to: • Individual needs • Project Work Groups • Staff Members • Internet Users • Resource Cupboard • A store for all shortcuts to applications to be added to Users’ desktops • Desktop Layout and Design

13. RM SchoolShare • Included with ClassMate • “Plug and go” peer to peer networking • Sharing access to the Internet • Sharing access to printers • A simple solution: primary school IT co-ordinators do not need the time or expertise to get to grips with networking • Can be used to set up file sharing & Intranets but not the default • Over 2,000 schools set up networks by using it

14. Application Issues and Development

15. Typical Application Issues • Do not recognise network drives as viable locations for installation • Do not record from which drive they were installed - assume CD is in drive D • Do not allow change to default save • Colour and / or screen resolution dependence • Insistence on a port name, e.g. LPT1 causes a problem with networks

16. Application Development • General Issues • User Interface • Registry information • Path information • Configurable Applications

17. Application Development • 32-bit applications • Porting from DOS-based applications is difficult • Best to re-write completely • Universal Naming Code (UNC)

18. Application Development • User Interface • Microsoft guidelines • http://msdn.microsoft.com/ui/default.asp • Keyboard shortcuts • Multiple levels • Screen resolution (800x600). Colour Depth (16bit) • The education market requirements are different to home and business markets

19. Application Development • The Registry • No specific considerations for the Window Box / ClassMate • Use the Registry, not INI files • HKEY_CURRENT_USER for user specific information • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for station specific information

20. Application Development • Paths • Don’t hard-code paths in your application • Store the path information in the registry, or look for the locations as stored by Windows • The following paths should be considered: • My Documents: • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders • :\Windows and :\Windows\System • GetWindowsDirectory ( ) GetSystemDirectory API calls will return these. Or use the FileSystemObject, new to VB6.0

21. Application Development • Paths, continued • C:\ drive. • Never hard-code this. The user may have a different PC setup • Application location • It may not be on the C:\ drive! • Save and Open folders • Store a default location in the user registry, and allow it to be configured • More applicable to Window Box Connect today • Printers and CD-ROM drives • These may not be on LPT1, or D:

22. Application Development • Configurable Applications • Configuration allows flexibility to adapt the application to work on different kinds of system • Allows different levels to be customised according to users’ needs • Allow the following to be configured: • Paths (save/open folder, etc) • Toolbars • Default Fonts • Application features

23. Installing software on a Window Box • Avoid “DLL Hell” • Microsoft term for the mess made by putting all DLLs in Windows/System! • put the DLLs in the program executable folder • If you must install to system, be very careful about replacing existing DLLs: VB run-time DLLs are a particular minefield • Be careful about changing file associations • Ask the user if they want to make the changes • Avoid making the user restart the machine • In our experience, customers get confused when they have to do this • Allow the user to choose the program location

24. Summary • Window Box environment • Application development • Installation Considerations