Managing users on a peer-to-peer

[Guest]

I currently have a peer-to-peer network in my home, both running winxp pro.
I would like to have a user account for each member of the family. I want
the user accounts accessible from either computer. For example family
member 'A' could log on to her account from either pc1 or pc2 (depending on
which was not currently in use by another family member) Could someone point
me to a resource where I could learn how to do this? I don't have the
finances to be able to hire someone, or to purchase server software.

Also I would like to be able to restrict certain user groups from accessing
certain applications. For example when a child is 'grounded' I want to be
able allow access to educational software, but not games. And allow
'obedient' children free access to both educational software and games, but
not Nero, quicken, or other 'parent-only' software. I know how to create
user groups and how to include users in the groups. Where can I learn how to
set software permissions to restrict access?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I currently have a peer-to-peer network in my home, both running winxp pro.
I would like to have a user account for each member of the family. I want
the user accounts accessible from either computer. For example family
member 'A' could log on to her account from either pc1 or pc2 (depending on
which was not currently in use by another family member) Could someone point
me to a resource where I could learn how to do this? I don't have the
finances to be able to hire someone, or to purchase server software.

Create the same set of accounts on both computers, with the same user
names and passwords. Family members will be able to log onto both
computers.

Each person will have a different environment (My Documents,
Favorites, desktop icons, Outlook Express message store, etc) on each
computer. Without a computer running a server operating system, it
isn't possible for a person to have a single environment that's
accessible from each computer.

Since the computers run XP Pro, you can create shared folders for each
user and set permissions so that only that user can access them.

Also I would like to be able to restrict certain user groups from accessing
certain applications. For example when a child is 'grounded' I want to be
able allow access to educational software, but not games. And allow
'obedient' children free access to both educational software and games, but
not Nero, quicken, or other 'parent-only' software. I know how to create
user groups and how to include users in the groups. Where can I learn how to
set software permissions to restrict access?

I'm sorry, but I don't know of any way to do that in Windows XP.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Windows XP does not support either of the features you're asking for.

In the absence of a domain user accounts are a per-PC item, there's no way
to synchronize them or move accounts from one computer to another. About
the best you can do is create matching accounts on both PCs.

As for access-control software I'd suggest either a Google search or finding
a parenting forum where you can get real-life stories of who has tried what
and which programs do/don't work.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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