dknappett

...and you need this hotfix - You can still unpin a program from the taskbar unexpectedly when you enable the "Do not allow pinning programs to the Taskbar" Group Policy on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2

You want to enable the following in GP: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar: 'Do not allow pinning items in Jump Lists' and 'Do not allow pinning programs to the Taskbar'. As the explanation says, it doesn't remove any that are already pinned, so yours will stay and users can't remove or add new ones.

Great, works perfectly.

I currently am the network manager there. I've been there for 12 months and was contracted there by my current school to update their infrastructure, bring some reliability and lead the strategic development. My position was always with a view to make way for someone full time once I made in roads into sorting it out and getting it to a certain point. They've spent a lot of money in this time - all the servers are now virtual running vSphere with Dell Equallogic SAN, new HP switches, Trapeze wireless, several new IT suites. We did a case study with the virtulisation provider and we were amongst the first to use vSphere - you can read about it here: Intercept and Schools (I can highly recommed that company too, should any one be looking!). This should be a really attractive post to take all that forward now. It seems to be that contracts in Cambridge are on a temporary basis to begin, with a view to a permanent contract if all parties are agreed. Do please contact me if you want to ask any questions! David

We've had a Citrix thin-client now for over 2 years and I wouldn't turn back. It's perfect for the majority of computer use in the school and has also provided all students and staff with a decent remote access solution. The compression Citrix uses makes it great working over a WAN. The company I used was Precedence Technologies, who are specialists in this field in education and I can highly recommend them. I'm more than happy for you to visit and I know of a few other sites close to me that are doing the same thing.

We use the same ones here too on our Citrix installation for about half of the computers in the school. They're so easy to install as they pick up settings from a central point - all you have to do is set the host name and you're away! I've looked at offerings from iGel, but whilst they are nice, they're not as good as the ones from Precedence. Again, happy to provide more info.

I agree with this too. We've used Precedence for nearly 2 years now at Manor CC and they've been absolutely brilliant on all fronts. I'd highly recommend them.