In NetMan Desktop Manager, a NetMan script is a sequence of NetMan actions. In its most basic form, a script simply calls an application or a URL. NetMan Desktop Manager categorizes scripts by type according to the kinds of tasks for which they are used. If the script type is Program, for example, it is a script that launches a program. In this case, the script must contain one Program action. Advanced scripts can contain any of the actions available in NetMan. This lets you configure complex action sequences if desired. The Script Editor opens your new script in a streamlined view that is tailored to the type of script you indicated at the outset. The streamlined view gives you rapid access to the main settings needed for the particular script type. Only advanced scripts and NetMan startup/shutdown scripts are opened in an expert view, which gives you access to all NetMan actions.
Why categorize scripts by type?
When you create a simple program script, NetMan Desktop Manager shows only the main settings you need in the Script Editor. That way, you don't have to spend time searching for the right actions. If you want access to the full range of functions, for example if you need a customized script, select the "Advanced" type and the Script Editor will open it in the expert view. When you create a NetMan startup/shutdown script, you do not need to worry about whether it is visible to non-administrative users: This type of script is only visible to administrators.
When working on a script in the streamlined Script Editor view, you can turn the script into an advanced script at any time; for example, if you find that you need a broader range of functions to choose from than you had originally thought.
Script types
The various types of scripts are described in more detail here:
•Program. A program script runs a program. In the Script Editor, all settings for the program script are displayed as script properties. You define the program to be launched and, if desired, specify drives to mount and allocate 'execute' permissions as well. You do not need to add separate actions to configure these properties, as you might do in an advanced script.
•URL. URL scripts open hyperlinks in the default browser specified in the NetMan Settings program. You configure the 'execute' permissions for the URL call. URL scripts are edited in the streamlined view of the Script Editor.
•NetMan (startup/shutdown). Startup and shutdown scripts define the conditions extant upon startup or shutdown of NetMan Desktop Manager. NetMan (startup/shutdown) scripts are made for internal tasks. They are not shown in the NetMan Client nor in the Web Interface. Creating startup and shutdown scripts requires a certain level of expertise. The Script Editor opens them in the expert view, which permits access to all NetMan actions. You allocate 'execute' permissions to configure NetMan (startup/shutdown) scripts.
•Advanced. Advanced scripts are empty containers to which you add your choice of Actions in the desired sequence. You decide yourself what tasks the script is made for. Creating advanced scripts requires a certain level of expertise, and the Script Editor opens them in the expert view. You have access to all actions and can assign the desired permissions.
•Installation. Installation scripts roll out applications on client stations. You can also use them to roll out NetMan packages. NetMan packages are installation packets made using the NetMan Recorder , a tool for recording installation processes. The Installation script can reproduce the recorded installation processes on your choice of stations, to produce an installation that has exactly the same settings as the original. In other words, Installation scripts are than a mechanism for software deployment. Installation scripts are edited in the expert view of the Script Editor.
•Desktop session. Desktop session scripts are scripts that open an "empty" session on a session host. In this session only the Windows Explorer runs, no program is started. All you need to configure in desktop session scripts are the session settings and permissions. Use desktop session scripts to provide a Windows environment for clients that access NetMan over the Web Interface.
•Windows app. Windows app scripts launch Windows apps. You edit Windows app scripts in the streamlined view of the script editor. Windows apps differ fundamentally from normal programs in terms of startup and execution. Therefore not all settings are available in the script editor. For example, a MD5-hash check is not available.
You configure settings for each script. This includes various options such as launch method, logging and publishing options. For a complete description of all settings, see "Script Editor“.
Details on creating each type of script are presented in the following chapters:
•Program script: “Create Program Scripts“.
•URL script: “Create URL Scripts“.
•Windows app script: “Windows App Scripts“.
•NetMan (startup/shutdown) scripts: “Create NetMan Startup/Shutdown Scripts“.
•Advanced scripts: "Create Advanced Scripts“.
•Desktop session scripts: "Create Desktop Session Scripts“.
For detailed descriptions of all actions, see "Actions“.