Organization of the Start->All Programs menu

1. Accessories -> Windows Standard accessories

2. Start up -> Use run->msconfig->startup to make sure that ONLY the following two softwares are getting loaded during start up:
a. spark
b. Norton Anti Virus 2009

3. Communication ->
1. Browsers a. Firefox version 3.0.6 b. IE (7.0) c. Chrome d. Opera(9.63)
2. Text Instant Messenger a. Spark (version 2.5.8) b. Google talk
3. Video and Voice chat a. Skype Version 4.0.0.206
4. Access Remote desktop a. VNC viewer(1.0.5.3) b. Windows Remote desktop connection client
5. Share screen a. Camtasia Studio (version 6.0.0)
7. Windows live sync

4. Utilities ->
1. PDF management a. Foxit PDF reader (version3.0.1301) b. PDF 995 c. Foxit PDF editor
2. ZIP file management a. Alzip (Version 7.0 beta 1)
3. Document management a. Paperport (Version 11)
4. Fax management a. efax messenger (Version 4.4.0.514)
5. Security management : Norton Anti virus 2009
6. Download Accelerator Plus (version 9.0.0.7)
7. WordWeb (Version 5.52)

5. Multimedia -> 1. VLC media player Version 0.9.8a 2. Windows Media Player

6. Microsoft Office -> 1. Word  2. Excel 3. Powerpoint (version office 2003)
The proofing tool should be installed from shared component.

7. Development -> 1. NuSphere PhpED (Version 5.2) 2. Putty 3. WinSCP (Version 4.1.8) 4. Webdrive (Version 8.22.2090) 5. ImgBurn (Version 2.4.2.0) 6. Dreamweaver (version 8 ) (We are not installing CS4, because it’s a very heavy application & the lighter version 8 is fulfilling the requirements.) 7. Daemon tools lite (Version 4.30.3)

user accounts
administrator / ******

Workgroup
grmtech

Size of image:
40 GB

Application specific Config
Firefox
1. Downloads go to dekstop/browser-downloads. This is configured using tools -> options -> main
2. Reducing the memory used by firefox. Follow the steps listed on: http://blog.codefront.net/2008/09/10/optimize-firefoxs-memory-usage-by-tweaking-session-preferences/

browser.sessionhistory.max_entries = 1
browser.sessionhistory.max_total_viewers = 1
browser.sessionstore.max_tabs_undo = 1
browser.sessionstore.interval = 1000000 milliseconds. = 1000 seconds.

network.http.max-connections = 48
network.http.max-connections-per-server = 24
network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy = 12
network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server = 6
network.http.pipelining = “true”
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests = 32
browser.cache.disk.capacity = 8192
network.http.pipelining.ssl = “true”
network.http.proxy.pipelining = “true”
nglayout.initialpaint.delay = 0 (If it does not exit, this entry has to be created by rightclicking anywhere and selecting new>Integer)
network.dns.disableIPv6 = “true”
image.animation_mode = “once”
network.prefetch-next = “false”

3. Disable “Google update” firefox plugin (Tools>Add-ons>Plugins>Google Update>Disable).
4. Disable java from tools>option>content.

Icons on the Desktop
1. Recycle bin 2. browser-downloads

UltraVNC
UltraVNC server should be running in all computers. UltraVNC will be used to access remote desktop utilizing port-forwarding through our 1 Mbps internet connection (dedicated for external access). The workstations will be accessible with the port forwarding as 100+n (’n’ being the ws no.).

Putty
Has two saved session the names are:
root@www.grmtech.com:99
root@1.iss.ao.grmtech.com:99

Spark
1. Set to auto login and remember password

Windows OS
A. take the steps listed in http://www.grmtech.com/blog/boot-up-windows-xp-faster-than-ever/
B. The desktop background will be “Grmtech wallpaper”
C. Control panel -> Power options -> Grmtech power scheme
Grmtech power scheme is defined as:
Turn off monitor: After 2 minutes
Turn off hard disk: After 5 minutes
System standby: After 10 minutes
D. In security center make sure that the firewall is turned on.
Also in the exception list only the following applications should be allowed:
1. skype
2. Symantec service framework

Camtasia Studio
1. Launch on startup -> is checked off.

Windows and Other software’s Auto Update Policy
Make sure windows and all other software’s are set to non auto update. All updates will be rolled out when the new disk image of the OS is rolled out.

Options in the quick launch bar:
1. Show desktop
2. Windows explorer
3. Firefox
4. Putty

Taskbar properties
1. Right click on it and choose lock the taskbar.

Mozilla addons
1. Colorzilla
2. Firebug
3. Googlebar lite
4. Live HTTP Headers
5. MeasureIt
6. Scrapbook
7. Web Developer
*All add-ons are disabled by default

Mozilla plugins
1. Flash

Other steps we are taking to improve performance:
1. use msconfig to disable as much start up services and applications of windows. (Startup disabled:googletalk,  Skype & google update. BOOT.INI: set check /NOGUIBOOT checkbox)
2. Google update must be uninstalled.

Two applications in continuous used by Grmtech employees are:
1. Spark
2. Firefox.

4 tabs which are opened in firefox and used by Grmtech employees are:
1. gmail
2. crm
3. couple of google spreadsheets with lots of sub sheets and data in them.
4. browsing

We need to make sure that when the above two applications are running the system remains responsive.

IM : Do we use Spark or Exodus?

Advantages of Exodus: It’s hierarchical architecture makes it very easy to find any specific person/contact, as the menu is pretty organized just like multilevel tree. Multilevel structure is better for a group having more members.
Tweak: Exodus can be customized by modifying it’s supporting file Exodus.xml (<OS_Drive>:Documents and Settings<user_account_name>Application DataExodusExodus.xml)
Problem statement: Exodus must support web chat.