Configuring the SecurDesk! Desktop Environment
These instructions apply to both the full SecurDesk! and SecurDesk! LV versions. If you are evaluating SecurDesk!, you may wish to print this page for reference. This information is also contained in the printed documentation which comes with SecurDesk! when you purchase the product
SecurDesk! allows you to configure the desktop interface itself. You may use the Setup command from the main program’s Desktop menu to place buttons and hot-spots for launching programs, scripts and documents. The desktop may consist of several "screen pages," which is often very useful if more than one user will share a single computer. Each page may be assigned a password or security level, so that it is possible to create a system where each group of users has their own desktop containing only controls to launch certain applications. Depending on your situation, you may wish to restrict how much control individual users will have over making changes to their desktop (full SecurDesk! version only), or give some users the ability to create their own desktop interface.
For many of us, this is the fun part (combining graphics, sounds, etc. to produce a stunning interface and corporate desktop image). Using SecurDesk!’s desktop also eliminates a security holes in the Windows desktop itself (the "Start" menu’s recently used Documents function, the Run command, etc., etc.).
The Tool Bar
Creating Screen Pages
Each desktop can contain several "screen pages" which may contain buttons and icons to launch programs or documents, pictures, text, and other graphical elements. Each page may also be password-protected, to allow access only to authorized persons.
When you first run SecurDesk!, a sample desktop is loaded. You may alter this template, or start a new desktop. To configure a desktop, click on SecurDesk!’s Desktop menu, then click on the Setup function.
- The Master Screen Page and Startup Page
You will note that two additional tabs are added to the list of desktop pages (and to the tabs at the bottom of the screen). The Master screen page is used to contain controls and other elements which you wish to appear on all, or several, screen pages. The Startup page is used to contain controls which you wish to be launched each time the system is started.
- Adding a New Screen Page
To add a new, blank screen page, simply select the Page menu and use the Add function. A new blank screen will be added at the point you indicated.
- Screen Settings
Use the Page/Settings function to add background wallpaper, set a color palette (for 256-color display systems), copy settings to all other pages, allow the items placed on the Master page to be enabled for this page also, etc.
- Passwords
Use the Page/Password function to require that the user enter a password or have a specified security clearance level before entering this page.
Creating User Controls
Button, icon and transparent hot-spot controls which launch programs, documents and other services (such as jumping to another page or to a web site URL) are created using the Button tool (see facing page: the icon showing a button with a cursor) on the floating tool palette. To add a control, simply select the Button tool, then drag it to the desired size. Immediately, a dialog box will be displayed to allows you to specify the function the control will perform when the user clicks.
- Settings for User Controls
At the top of the dialog are a list of services available for the control. Use Software to launch a program (or an associated document), Page to jump to another screen page or to load another desktop file, Browser Services to jump to an Internet site, or Menu to construct a menu of choices from which the user may select.
Use the Speed Key field to assign a keyboard equivalent to activate the control. The Title field is used to provide a caption for the control. The Dir/Folder is used to contain an application’s working directory, and the Command field allows you to list the path and command line for an application (note, you may specify a series of applications to be sequentially launched). Click on the Find Programs button to make it easy to locate an application and its path from the files on your system. The Action Scripts button may be used to as the user for input, display messages, etc. See the "SecurDesk! User Guide" or the topic in SecurDesk!'s on-line Help for further details regarding configuring application-launching controls.
The Appearance tab allows you to select the shape, icon and other characteristics for the control. The Miscellaneous tab allows you to configure how the command is performed. You may use the Password tab’s functions to require that users enter a password (or have a specified security level clearance), before the control will function. The Timed Execution tab allows you to configure the control to automatically launch at a specified time/day.
Other Tools
Other tools on the palette allow you to add other elements to your page. Import images, import text files, draw lines, boxes and other shapes, add titles, set colors and patterns, and assign fonts.
HINT: to easily edit an existing control or other object, simply click on the object with your right mouse button to display its options.
Other SecurDesk! Topics:
