a dumb terminal with Win98

[jfchui]

I want to build a very dumb terminal based on cheap Windows 98 machine. Why? it is purely for staff to do data entry (nothing else) via a simple web-based application. Because it has to sit in a corporate network so it will have Internet Explorer, a network card and that is it. And I need to
1) stop the operator to access any internet site except the one single URL on intranet. I do not know how it could be done
2) stop it to install any new program. I will remove any cdrom or floppy disk connection cable after it is built
3) it has to "behave" itself in the corporate network and do no damages to other machine. Any idea?

What are your thoughts?

[Midknyte]

then don't use win98. there is no way to limit a user like in win2k or xp. all users have "admin" rights on a win9x system.

as far as limiting IE, you could leave the default gateway and dns blank. if it's intranet, then you only need local network access. again, the user will have the ability to change the settings because it is win9x.

you can look at a program like deepfreeze to lock the settings.
http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp

[jfchui]

then don't use win98. there is no way to limit a user like in win2k or xp. all users have "admin" rights on a win9x system.


It ought to be cheap, it does not make sense to spend as it only serves one and only one purpose. Being win2k or xp is already an investment not justified in my opinion.

I am not too worried about setting getting changed by these novice operators.

What concern management is, they must not access internet ("outside world") to read stuff like hotmail, etc. They must not download stuff, etc. Damage is great if harmful sites are visited or harmful documents are not handled properly.

as far as limiting IE, you could leave the default gateway and dns blank. if it's intranet, then you only need local network access. again, the user will have the ability to change the settings because it is win9x.


The service or url is in another subnet now, so (I think) we need dns and gateway access setup unless we move the web server.

you can look at a program like deepfreeze to lock the settings.
http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp
Will look at what you suggest. Something that can detect and stop a pc when settings get changed or when internet is accessed will help.

[Sterling_Aug]

Look into a program such as WinLock. It works great on limiting Win98 and stopping the users from changing anything you don't give them access to.