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HTA or is there something better?

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by jonathon.johnson

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I'm creating a HTA as a sort of desktop for our instuctors, administrators and such in our schoolhouse. I have some 300+ computers and they are up and down regularly. I'd like to create an application (looking into an HTA right now) for their desktop so to speak. I would like to do this to help myself so that when I have to recreate their computer again, I don't have to go back through and recreate all their favorites (which I typically do from a GPO, but most don't ever look there), links to the fileserver space, and various other internal programs we use.

One reason I'm thinking HTA is because of it's vbscript functionality. I'd also like to integrate a sort of bug report system useing the vbscript functionality, so it'll send their computer info and an alert to myself. But that aside, that's not my question.

Would an HTA be a good way to go with this sort of thing?? Is there a better option out there?? Are there any good HTA resources out there?? I'm thinking of trying to create it with iframes for a navigation bar and such. Can this even be done??

And finally, I need to integrate a privacy statement and gov. access agreement to the HTA so that they cannot access the site until they agree to it. I was thinking of using modal dhtml windows, but so far no luck. Is this even possible?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but those have all been my speedbumps so far in this little adventure. Thanks in advance!!

PS. If you need more info, I'll be glad to give it.

3 replies

by bfilmfan

I am a former NETCOM technology director and I know that the US Army is licensed for both VMWare GSX server and Windows Server 2008 HyperV.

Either of those products would let you set up virtual workstations for users to train on, tear up, etc. and you could easily reset them to a knwon default state.

I would connect with the local IT support group (whatever they are calling it today) or the G-8, as I am sure they have experience in doing this.

Best of luck with your project.

by jonathon.johnson

I know this however this isn't for training or the like. The facilitators workstations are basic computers with about 50 or so simple modifications, mainly shortcuts to server software and/or books and a management website. There's a few things I'd like to create another HTA for for administrative use, like turning off 1 auditing "feature" in AGM that after 3 or 4 days fills the security log and locks out the computer.

My main thing is creating a simple "desktop" for them to use so instead of adding all the shortcuts, links, etc., I'd have a simple program that already has it, and I can simply modify and redeploy it as changes are made rather than have to modify every desktop, setting, etc. whenever something changes or is added. This way also, when I have to deploy a new workstation if one breaks or is moved, I don't have to add 20-30 links, programs, etc.

My personal rule of thumb has been in this field, if I gotta do it more than once, there's probably a way to automate it.

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