Windows Research Environment

Goals

• Ease of use
  • users should be able to login the first time and use that login for all their work
  • Note: Research users tend to be "Power Users" who will be installing and running arbitrary software, including system services, etc.

• Unrestricted Windows system access
  • Ability to access all files
  • Ability to install arbitrary software
  • ability to setup system services
  • access to all hardware

• Ease of printer configuration
  • list of printers, relevant to the user, and clearly described
  • clearly defined process for requesting quota/access to needed printers

• Must be able to function independant of network / domain availability, at least to have local access to files
  • should be able to run local applications
  • access desktop

• Save the user from obvious security threats

• automate updates to OS and standard software

Issues to consider

• can there be a way for a user to opt-out of software updates, or similar processes
  • eg: may not want latest upgrade to Office, for whatever reason

Implementation

• Administrative permission for the grad student / faculty user

-- LawrenceFolland / TrevorGrove - 08 Mar 2006