Cluttered vs non cluttered desktops

[googlemad]

Thanks for the opinions, will propose it to the 'gods' to trial in a suite .

 

The initial thought was we currently stick every main Office icon on the desktop but since double clicking saved documents opens Word up anyway etc!

[john]

 

For an example of cluttered - see either DB or ZH's [laptop] desktop (forget which one it was now from the conference!) - virtually every pixel had some file/shortcut/folder, etc on it!!

DB had his covered, a man from my own heart I certainly have one a bit like that, hence two big 19" TFTs

[eean]

Cluttered.

 

 

 

No. Wait. I mean uncluttered. I've always implemented a logical start menu that's differentiated for different groups but follows the same structure for everyone. Staff can then 'customise' their own desktop. If redirect the start menu but make sure it's on a different share to the desktop e.g \\server\sharedstart and desktops on \\server\userprofiles then when you drag icons to the desktop they copy by default. If they were on the same share then they move by default, and they only have write access to the start menu so that fails.

[witch]

The staff like icons on the desktops so that the children can access the programs quickly, which makes for a cluttered desk top

[enjay]

The staff like icons on the desktops so that the children can access the programs quickly, which makes for a cluttered desk top

 

Which is fine until there are so many icons on the desktop that it takes them longer to find than using the Start Menu.

 

We do find that some Littlies initially have issues with the Start Menu, however, as they don't have the fine motor control in their hands to move the mouse across to a sub-folder without also moving it up or down too, thus moving to a different sub-folder. They learn soon enough, though.

[elsiegee40]

The staff like icons on the desktops so that the children can access the programs quickly, which makes for a cluttered desk top

 

 

With the littlies in mind (Age 4 to 6), shortcuts to their regulars do appear on their desktop (but that's half a dozen at most)

 

There's also a shortcut to a folder where teachers can drop a shortcut to something required for a particular lesson (perhaps a website) The 2 teachers who use it keep it clear as it takes the class too long to find things otherwise!

 

The bigguns (year 2 up) manage fine with the Start menu!

[enjay]

There's also a shortcut to a folder where teachers can drop a shortcut to something required for a particular lesson (perhaps a website)

 

Nice idea, think I might set something similar up myself. Thanks!

[simpsonj]

My work PC seems to be far more cluttered than my home PC (a strict, no icon policy in place there). What concerns me is staff saving important work onto their desktop, which isn't backed up...

 

Students can't change their desktop (CC3 prevents that).

[webman]

What concerns me is staff saving important work onto their desktop, which isn't backed up...

 

All you can do is make them aware of this. If they fail to take your advice, it's their loss

[K.C.Leblanc]

I used to be untidy, my PC at home actualy has the icons meeting in the middle. However since getting my new PC at work I've been a good boy. I do have quite a few icons but they're all useful and all properly arranged.

 

 

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