[Casper] Advice on package naming conventions?

[Ernst, Craig S.]

Hi Ric,

The format we've used here is basically how we would organize things in a "start menu" type scenario, but basically making logical categories. You'll find that everyone does it differently.

We have the following categories and description of what they contain in our system, and most of these pre-date my managing this system:

Adobe - It became so many packages it had to become it's own, was in suites, but could even break this down to AdobeCS3, AdobeCS4, if you like
Classic - OS9 Apps
Common Applications - Applications that get deployed everywhere by default that don't fit into any other category (Examples: Google Earth, SPSS)
Departmental - If specific department requests/purchases software for a limited set of locations it goes here, it's like Common Applications
Graphics & Web Design - Graphical applictions and web editors (Example: Poser)
Hardware - Scanners, Printers, etc.
Internet - Browsers, IM Clients, Telnet, FTP
Languages - Basically the language packs for the OS if it needs to be delpoyed after the fact
Multimedia - Audio (Audacity), Video (iMovie), Disc Authoring (iDVD), Media Players (Real, QuickTime, Flip4Mac)
Office - Office suites (Office 2008, Office 2004, NeoOffice, etc.)
OS - Base OS Images
Printers - DUH
Scripts - All our scripts are just in one category, but we never had a lot of them to deal with to sort them out
Suites - This group was an afterthought, but iLife is the only thing in here, and could go back under Common Apps
System Configuration - Any packages that modify the operating system and its settings
User Environment - Any packages that modify a user's experience and settings
Utilities - Utility applications like Adobe Reader, KeyServer Client, Self Service, Recon, Refit, Stuffit, etc.

When we create a package we then (almost always) put the prefix of the category on the package, or at least an abbreviation of it. Some examples:

internet-Firefox_3.0.3
office-2008_12.1.4
os-X.5.4
ue-X5_Universal_Dock (Short for user environment, and X5 meaning for Leopard)
sys-res-1024x768x32x75 (Short for system configuration)

You get the jist of it. The other thing we do with each package is have a folder at the root of the drive called 'Shortcuts', and then we build a folder structure for these categories and in some instances sub-categories, and place an alias to the application in the appropriate folder. We then place the shortcuts folder as part of the dock as a list so it expands out and does act as a menu for users to access applications if they aren't accustomed to browsing the hard drive, using Spotlight, or whatever people prefer to use. I attached some screens, but they may not go through so if you're interested just email me. With the Shortcuts keep in mind that some categories like Adobe apps and iLife Suite apps have aliases in different places within the Shortcuts folder. Is some of it right or wrong sure...again that's up to you to do what you want. I'm sure we could spend a good day or two here arguing about it.

Craig E

On 11/4/08 2:47 PM, "Ric Getter" <ric.getter at pcc.edu> wrote:

We're a large, multi-campus community college getting ready to deploy the
Casper Suite. We've just gone through the Jump Start and are getting ready
to build our base images, packages and configurations. As JAMF recommended,
we're planning on having a single "librarian" manage the entries on the
Casper server.

Having been involved in similar ventures, I understand the value of setting
up a good naming convention system early in the game. We have a good system
for naming computers already in place, but it appears that we're going to
have a fair number of packages and a potentially huge number of
configurations on file.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or samples you can offer. Feel
free to forward any files or attachments directly to my e-mail address,
ric.getter at pcc.edu.

Thanks,
Ric

 --
Ric Getter
Portland Community College/Sylvania
Coordinator, Computer Resource Center
(503)977-8036


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