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newcomer · Sep 16, 2003, 04:11 PM

Just arrived at Uni to start a postgrad course. Have my iBook with me and have been amazed by the Citrix client which lets me log on to my faculty network, bringing up the Windows desktop on-screen. Seemless switching between OSX and Win2K.

not so fussed about access to Word or PowerPoint, but some of the software the course uses is Windows only and its a relief to be able to access it from my roon without physically having to go down to the IT centre.

Windows without VPC! It was so freaky the first time I saw that Start button bottom left on my screen though - makes me love aqua even more!!

zachs · Sep 16, 2003, 04:37 PM

I don't use it personally, but I know people who do.
And it's sweet.

beanman · Sep 16, 2003, 10:35 PM

Watch yourself...

Used Citrix for a class last spring and the thing was buggy as all hell. Save, save often, and save a copy locally when you are done. There is nothing more frustrating when you have a project due on Monday only to have the system go down on Saturday, with no one to call on to figure out what the hell is going on.

It boggles my mind that the school spent so much money on this piece of software that failed at least five times over the course of the semester. They're locked into the deal and can't really go looking to utilize anything else. It is slick, but as often as it went down and the school work that I had to do was really a pain.

wallinbl · Sep 17, 2003, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by beanman:
It boggles my mind that the school spent so much money on this piece of software that failed at least five times over the course of the semester. They're locked into the deal and can't really go looking to utilize anything else. It is slick, but as often as it went down and the school work that I had to do was really a pain.

There are no alternatives outside of MS Terminal Server, which is at least as problematic. These programs are ridiculously difficult to administer - Citrix even has settings to schedule reboots so that only one server is down at a time. When the server comes back up, it notifies the next server of its turn. How's that for quality software?

xi_hyperon · Sep 17, 2003, 12:22 PM

Newcomer, is the client you are using Java-based? I will be using Citrix in the near future, and have no idea what kind of beast the OS X client is.

C.J. Moof · Sep 17, 2003, 12:41 PM

There's a native OS X client for Citrix:

http://www.citrix.com/site/SS/downlo...ownloadID=3250

There is/was a Java client called MysteryMachine, but about everyone retired it when Citrix finally made the real thing.

newcomer · Sep 22, 2003, 06:31 AM

One slightly annoying thing with the Citrix OS X client is this.

When I get to my school's webpage and complete my log in, I then have to click an icon to Launch the Windows desktop.

However, when i click the icon, instead of actually launching anything, Safari downloads a file called launch.asp to the os x desktop.

The default app for this is Apple System Profiler - and I have to manually open it with the Client app to get into Windows remotely.

Is there i way i can teach my iBook to send me straight into Citrix without having to manually open the launch.asp file with the Client. I know i could set .asp files to always open with Citrix client - but wouldn't this affect System Profiler files?

Oh and one other thing: once i am in Windows i get a warning message that a programme requires read access to folder Macintosh HD for duration of session - should I allow or deny this?

Sorry for the mammoth message but I'd appreciate any advice. Cheers dudes.

GENERAL_SMILEY · Sep 22, 2003, 07:27 AM

Get info on the ASP file, select "Open With", then choose the client, then select "Change All" - now hopefully all asp files will open in Citrix.

Doing this from memory, but should be pretty obvious even if the terminology isn't exact.

C.J. Moof · Sep 22, 2003, 07:52 AM

The Allow Access? question is giving Citrix permission to turn your local drive into a drive letter for the Windows session. From My Computer in the Citrix window, you should be able to navigate to the root of your HD- it will be listed something like "Client V:". Windows doesn't respect the invisbility of the .files, so it looks a little cluttered, but you're there.

Does it work if you just keep the launch.asp document around and double-click that one to get in? Rename it Citrix Hookup and stick it in your dock, and maybe your login procedure gets easier?
But there could be a requirement to authenticate at that webpage first.... I can't be sure about that from here.