Welcome
Posted by itac on October 25, 2005
We are testing this new form of communication. Pleaes add your comments, ideas, and thoughts.
I would like to start a discussion on smart classroom images. While some of us think a full version of Symantec should be installed, others believe that it will make the machines too slow. What do you think?
October 25th, 2005 at 8:14 pm
Certainly we shouldn’t put the firewall on it as it causes many more problems than it solves. This questions seems to indicate that Deep Freeze isn’t doing it’s job – if it is there shouldn’t be a need for any anti-virus program – isn’t that correct. Or is there a problem with deep freeze.
Also, I’d like to suggest that all images be the same – especially the positioning of the most used programs – e.g. IE should be at the top left on every machine. In addition, pictures should NOT be full screen but there should be a solid color frame where the program icons are for easier identification. In my classroom, for example, in Keating 318, it’s hard to see the icons.
October 25th, 2005 at 11:55 pm
The only risk with leaving virus software off of the computer is not infecting the computer, but infecting the media that the Professors and students bring and plug into the computer. So, if a professor loads a Word document with a macro virus, that macro virus could infect the next professor’s disk, IF the machine isn’t rebooted between use. It’s a small risk, but a risk nonetheless.
The firewall, admittedly, is horrid and shouldn’t be needed.
October 26th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
i agree with fr. nick. the job of deepfreeze is not only to keep the look and feel of these machines from being altered but to also protect the machines from viruses. our network has had major upgrades so we do not have to worry about the worms which hit the network 2 years ago.
the chances of someone opening up a macro virus for example is almost NIL. i could be wrong but i do not think we have ever ran into an instance here in LC where this has happened.
the SCS software slows the machines down DRAMATICALLY.
even when you turn the firewalls off and turn off the antivirus autocheck, the machines still crawl compared to the machines without it.
I am not sure what the feedback has been in Rose Hill, but from my discussions with Monica, the speed of the machines has always been an issue. With these new images created, the speed of the machines is no longer an issue. They operate at a far greater speed than previously.
We have not had a complaint yet since these new images have been in place.
October 26th, 2005 at 9:59 am
I’m guessing that I would have heard atleast a mention if there were problems with the classroom images though I dont usually deal with the faculty. However, no major alarms have been raised on smart class images that I am aware off, and if that is really the case, I’d suggest leaving them the way they are. As the saying goes: “If it isn’t broken, dont fix it!!”
October 26th, 2005 at 10:56 am
Feedback from Rose Hill-
From what I have heard, faculty are happier with the new images so far as the speed of the machines is concerned. It’s really a question of computing speed vs. security. As it stands now, the machines seem to be relatively secure and very fast. I think if we make the change to SCS, we will hear complaints about the image.
However, as Fr. Lombardi expressed, faculty are not happy with the look of the desktop. The desktop picture should, as he suggests, be centered, leaving a black (or maroon perhaps) border on which the program icons can lay.
October 26th, 2005 at 11:16 am
I agree with Nick and Francis that the screen should have a black border so that the icons can be seen better. We will add this to the list of smart classroom improvement.
October 26th, 2005 at 11:38 am
As Domenick mentioned the number one complaint that we get about the machines when we do get them is about the speed. The new images have been very successful, there have been no complaints.
If SCS slows it down, then I am sure faculty will raise concerns with it. If power point takes 10 seconds to open, I hear about it, so I can only imagine the aggravation that it will cause faculty if the computer takes took long to boot.
October 26th, 2005 at 1:38 pm
I have been installing the symantec client and so far have not noticed any significant problems. I recommend that NO anit-virus scan be done as part of the boot-up process. I am just installing the client and letting the TSR take care of any incoming infections.