The blockade of Windows functionality is perfectly intentional. As outlined later, you can customise the setup to allow wider activity with restricted access to other applications, but the basic idea of VB mode is a simple-to-use and closed telecommunications environment in which the user cannot accidentally trigger unfamiliar menus or programs. In this context, the default setup of VB mode harbours a few "loopholes".

The most obvious loopholes are perhaps Control+Alt+DEL and Control+Shift+ESC to activate Task Manager. It is probably true to say in general that pressing these key combinations in error is not all that likely.

Other loophole key combinations identified are:

WindowsKey+L activates the Windows user log-on procedure.
WindowsKey+U activates the Windows accessibility dialogue.

In most cases, it is probable that these particular key combinations do not pose a high risk of problems, but a more general issue that should be borne in mind is that of spontaneous Windows interruptions. Where possible, in order to lock the system down tight for the user to have only the access and features provided for their use, you should ensure as far as possible that Windows or background software will not display interactive dialogues or splash screens. Windows Update is superfluous in many situations, and should be disabled. Antivirus software may not be necessary at all if the system is being used purely as a textphone or in other limited circumstances, but in any case an antivirus package that does not require user interaction except in a genuine emergency is essential for the VB emulator to be effective.

Page url: http://wtcmanual.wintextware.com/index.html?vbe_loopholes.htm

Keyboard Loopholes