Start menu's. How have you organised yours?

[dany2010]

Hi,

We have got three different start menu setups, admin/teachers/pupils. The teachers and pupils get all of the curriculum programs and then admin get a reduced menu as they wont be using the educational software.

The problem we now have is that we are increasing software as we have webcams and different bits of software that arnt linked to any subject.

We were thinking of having the usual english, maths, science folders but as to the other software im not sure what folders i can put them in. I dont really want to have a folder with a huge list of programs but i also dont want a huge list of folders.

Can anyone post some recommendations or even the setups that you have chosen please?

Many thanks,

Dan

[webman]

We categories just about all of our Start Menu folders by departments.

Off the top of my head, we have something resembling this:

• Accessories
• Core Programs
• English
• English Teachers
• Geography Teachers
• ICT
• Maths Teachers
• Music Teachers
• SIMS .net
• Technology

Core Programs contains things like the web browser, email and Office apps.

Subject-specific folders have shortcuts in for programs that are relevant to both staff and students. Ones with the Teacher suffix are for that subject staff only.

All possible program shortcuts are added to the folders, but thanks to RM, only software installed on workstations are visible once logged in.

[K.C.Leblanc]

We were thinking of having the usual english, maths, science folders but as to the other software im not sure what folders i can put them in. I dont really want to have a folder with a huge list of programs but i also dont want a huge list of folders.

We used to have a massive list of folders since everything was installed with the default name (unless something every dafter was requested). It's now done by department, if more then one department use the software it's down to who asked for it first. Some general software, office and serif suite, gets it's own folder.

[dhoward_westexetc]

For us:

Accessories
Internet
Macromedia Studio
Microsoft Office
Programs for All Subjects
Specialised Applications

Staff also have:

Teacher Tools
SMART Board Software

[dany2010]

Thanks all,

It would seem that departments is the best way to go and will probably end up with something similar to webman.

[spc-rocket]

All possible program shortcuts are added to the folders, but thanks to RM, only software installed on workstations are visible once logged in.

This is fixed by the script to hide the inactive shortcuts, this is how the rm system works but validating the shortcuts first delaying the start menu and then showing on the ones that are visible.

Easily replicatable using a vb script.

Ash.

[jstuttard]

We have:
- Accessories
- Administration (teachers only, with links to the MIS Client and other tools)
- Curriculm Titles (for department specfic tools)
- Design & Drawing
- Games (for links to games we allow in school, mostly typing & times tables)
- Instructions & Programming
- Making Music
- Microsoft Office
- Preprep Tools (for software aimed at young children)
- SMART Board (teachers only)
- Video Editing & Recording

Teachers and Children have the same basic folders, teachers get the SMART and Administration as extras. Seems to work well.

[sonofsanta]

We've got Admin Packages (staff only, links to Facility, ePortal etc.), Desktop Applications (Office, CS5, general stuff), Classroom Packages (which breaks down into subjects) and Global Shortcuts (webmail and stuff). I may tweak that for Windows 7 though, as everything gets lumped into Desktop Applications which has gotten a bit out of hand.

[garethedmondson]

Easily replicatable using a vb script.

Ash.

Is it? I'd love to see it if you have one

Gareth