Currently we have run into a “dead end” with this project.  I have been working on the server issues with no previous knowledge, or help, with operating Windows Server.  I bought “Dummies Guide to Networks” which has taught me a lot about servers that I never knew before.  I have learned about Group Policy and how Group Policy is necessary to have in order to apply settings to a specific profile or group of profiles.  It’s like a rule or law that the server abides by.  The problem I’m having is getting the Group Policy to apply correctly to show through the profile on the client computers.  I have read through the book I purchased and even read through a “Windows Server 2003″ book and have not found a way to troubleshoot the specific problems i am having.  I am trying to set the student profiles to have a specific homepage (www.youthradio.org) and I am also trying to create a storage folder on the server to store all files saved by the student profile.  I have been able to create a “shared folder” but I have not been able to completely utilize it’s features.  I have also followed the necessary steps in setting the homepage through Group Policy and although it correctly sets the homepage on the Windows Server machine, the settings don’t apply to the individual profiles.  After extensive research on the internet, I have found that I only have two options left:

1) Reverting all the client computers back to IE6, as I have read that there are bugs with IE7 that don’t allow Group Policy settings to apply.

2) Changing settings in the registry to make IE7 work correctly.  (It is explicitly stated on many websites that unless I have a good amount of experience using Windows Server, I should not attempt to change anything within the registry)

(Since I have never worked with a server in my life, I must omit #2.)

From here I plan on reverting the computers back to IE6 and possibly try and find a way to create a Group Policy setting for Firefox’s homepage.  The website has been officially suspended until further notice, due to the fact that there is no guarantee in the learning center continuing in the future. 

Posted: July 22nd, 2008 under Apalachee Ridge.
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Since the initial post there has been some significant changes at the Center.  The original plan was to restructure, upgrade and maintain the computer labs in the center, perform server maintenance, and design the website for Apalachee Ridge.  The computers have been upgraded and finalized for use in the coming semesters. 

There was a significant and unfortunate chain of events that proceeded when the camp failed to produce students due to bad timing of recieving the budget for the camp.  With no students enrolled in the camp there was a problem utilizing the extra FSU volunteers which resulted in their instructor pulling them form the project.  Frustration mounted within the faculty at the Center which also resulted in the Americore VISTA volunteer no longer working with the project.  Currently Terrence and myself are the only two people working at the Center. 

Since then, more issues have surfaced.  The website has been put on hold as there is no guarantee that it will ever launch.  I have since educated myself about servers and networks and resolved the “User login” issues.  In resolving this issue, all I had to do was assign the “student login” profile to the “user” group within the server.  I still have to address a few issues:

• Create a central point of storage (shared folder)
• Configure universal settings for Internet Explorer and/or Firefox
• Disable downloads for student users
• Attempt to fix one of the network printers currently not in use

I am hoping to complete all of these tasks by the end of the semester.

Posted: July 8th, 2008 under Apalachee Ridge.
Comments: none