I am looking for a substitute for the Windows Desktop (explorer.exe) for a Terminal Server machine, with a few special requirements.

December 29, 2003 2:59 AM

I am looking for a substitute for the Windows Desktop (explorer.exe) for a Terminal Server machine. I need an optional taskbar, the ability to log off, and a set of icons which are allocated to users on a user by user basis. I do not want Right Clicking, drag and dropping, access to the control panel or anything other than what I've mentioned above. I understand that I could use profiles to do this, but wish to use a slimline explorer substitute. Google offers no help. Can anybody help?
posted by seanyboy to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

What you want to Google for is "shell replacement." Litestep is the best that I've seen, but you'll have to do a fair amount of text-file modification to make it behave the way you describe. It's completely modular, so you can add or remove any desktop functionality you want, but there's a bit of a learning curve.
posted by Aaorn at 5:46 AM on December 29, 2003

Most of the shell replacement developers are charging money to cover development costs; if you're strapped for cash, evwm is still free.
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:15 AM on December 29, 2003

You want GeoShell.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:01 AM on December 29, 2003

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.
posted by seanyboy at 2:13 AM on December 30, 2003

I've seen a couple of terminals using Netscape as their shell. No start bar or other programs visible. Just a browser window with a custom start page, linking to programs. Could probably use IE or Mozilla in the same fashion.
posted by mkelley at 10:41 AM on December 30, 2003