Re: FileGuard for Mac workstations
Wayne Green (Wayne.Green@genetics.utah.edu)
Fri, 2 Feb 1996 11:00:27 -0700
I have received many questions about FileGuard and it's suitability as a
log-in/security program for the new BD workstations so I am posting this
response to the bulletin board. FileGuard is a general access control program
for Mac's that allows one to assign user access privileges to folders, file
deletion, creation of folders/files, decryption, desktop modification, disk
initialization, etc. We use it on the Quadra 650 workstations attached to
FACScans and a Vantage primarily to take advantage of the user log which the
software also maintains; we make little use of all the security options other
than preventing users from deleting or changing program files. The user log can
be summarized by user name or time (ex. today, yesterday, this week, last week,
this month, last month or all). The log records log on and off times as well as
elapsed time in addition to user name. We use this to generate monthly bills
and to track down the last user who left an instrument in a "trashed" condition.
A couple of problems to be aware of:
1) The version of FileGuard you use must be compatible with your Mac
operating system. We have version 2.7.6 with the 7.1 operating system which
works fine. We have been told any version up to and including 2.9.4 will work
with the 7.1 OS. From experience I can tell you that version 2.9.5, which is
designed for the 7.5 or greater OS, will not work! If in doubt about versions
call the manufacturer.
2) There appears to be no way to configure the security access which
would allow one to turn on the computer to analyze data files only without
having access to all the flow cytometer operating controls. Thus, log-in
starts the billing clock ticking! We have an off-line workstation strictly for
data analysis so this has not been a problem for us.
Overall we are very happy with the program as a record keeper for the
user log. The software is available from any software source but is probably
cheapest in a Mac oriented catalogue (ex. Mac Warhouse). The manufacturer is
ASD Software Inc., 4650 Arrow Highway, Suite E-6, Montclair, CA 91763. Telephone
(909) 624-2594. Hope this helps those of you who are interested!
--
Wayne Green
wgreen@genetics.utah.edu
CD ROM Vol 2 was produced by staff at the Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories
and distributed free of charge as an educational service to the cytometry community.
If you have any comments please direct them to Dr. J. Paul Robinson, Professor & Director, PUCL,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Phone:(317) 494-0757; FAX (317) 494-0517; Web http://www.cyto.purdue.edu
EMAIL robinson@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu
