Re: Developing a Test-taking environment feasibility question

[Hans Breuer <hans breuer org>]

At 17.04.2014 20:27, Ryan Baxter wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am an academic interested in developing a test-taking environment for my
> students who are creating process flowcharts. I am wondering if using
> Python to develop the appropriate add-ins if it would be feasible to
> accomplish this or perhaps some elements. Without going to into excessive
> detail, could someone comment on the feasibility of implementing features
> such as the following:
>
> 1. Restrict access to certain file operations (e.g., save as, export)
> 2. Restrict opening an existing file (they have to start with a blank sheet)
> 3. Possibly restrict the copy and paste functionality.
> 4. Control the save function to save within a particular location unknown
> to the user.
The above might be better addressed on the desktop level, see e.g. 
https://help.gnome.org/admin/deployment-guide/

It is not possible with Dia's plug-in facility AFAICT.

> 5. Add a menu item or button to submit an assignment
> 6. Export the saved (submitted) item to another application for uploading.
Could be done by a dedicated Dia Python plug-in.

> I am obviously not a python programmer or perhaps I might understand if
> this is even possible. However, I did recently design a system and paid a
> programmer to implement most of these features using Visio and AutoIT.
> However, the design is far from elegant and some things are difficult to
> control without creating a lot of overhead which slows the system down.
>
> I also realize that this is a solution to curtail the minor few who are
> interested in trying to share test answers/solutions to others or somehow
> come up with a way to skirt around certain requirements. Still, it is an
> interesting puzzle and has been fun trying to come up with a solution.
Some of your restrictions might be possible by just removing menu entries 
from Dia's .ui files. But as you say, this topic is only interesting for a 
minor few, and I'm not one of them ;)

HTH,
        Hans

-------- Hans "at" Breuer "dot" Org -----------
Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to
get along without it.                -- Dilbert