Re: trashing files

[shack@deimos.frii.com (Randy Shackelford)]

In article <3415F6DE.1986@swbell.net>, Rubywand  <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:
>rfagan@calvin.stemnet.nf.ca writes ...
>> 
>> Please help. At the school that I work, we have several mac computers. I
>> am almost totally unfamiliar with macs. How can I make desktop icons
>> immovable? I want to prevent kids from putting files and games into the
>> trash.
>
>
>     A problem with this question is that several important pieces of 
>information are missing. You do not say anything about user ages or access 
>requirements or why users are trashing files. For example, if just 
>selecting which program a user will run is an option, then, starting 
>programs yourself is a simple way to avoid having young and/or stupid users 
>mistakenly trash programs on the desktop.
>
>     Is there some way to make icons non-movable on a Mac? I do not know. 
>On the standard, main desktop, it seems very unlikely that you would have 
>such an option.
>
>     There may be some kind of Mac program launcher/selector which lets you 
>choose icons to display or programs to list. Such a launcher would not, 
>normally, permit users to delete items and may be a solution for your 
>problem. (That is, when users sit down to use the computer, they see 
>choices offered by the selector; they are never permitted access to the 
>main desktop.)
>
>     If the trashing of programs is not accidental, you may wish to 
>consider that there may be no software/firmware solution. There is, always, 
>some way to screw up a computer. Anyone who intentionally destroys files 
>should not be permitted to use a computer.

At Ease is Apple's kiddie/idiot proof finder substitute. It used to ship
with Performas and was a commercial package, but may be considered system
software and downloadable. It is at least possible to download updates.
Ask in a Mac newsgroup such as comp.sys.mac.system for details.
-- 
Randy Shackelford                                 
shack@frii.com