Approaches to Computer Lab Management: Lockdown vs. Freedom

Basic approaches to computer lab management range along a spectrum from total lockdown of lab computers to total freedom. Total lockdown, which can be implemented with system permissions and policies as well as software such as FoolProof and OnGuard, usually means that the computers' storage devices, especially the hard drives, are restricted, preventing write access by lab users (temporary drive space is sometimes available). Lab users are not allowed to install programs or save files and need to go through official channels to have their programs installed. This approach is intended to minimize support issues, protect software licenses and protect the institution from unauthorized software use. The total freedom approach allows users to use the lab computer as if it were their own. The lab manager then uses a tool such as PC-Rdist, Ghost, or Assimilator to return the computer to a clean state. This can be done at regular intervals (once a day, once a week etc.), at every startu...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: SIGUCCS
• Authors: Christopher Jones, Yasemin Tunc, Deborah Cherry
• Keywords: Computer Lab, Computer Lab Management, Information Management, Lab Users, SIGUCCS 2000