throttlenet
asked on
Control Screen - Online Test Scenario
I am working on an internal test taking application accessible from the web. Is there any way I can maximize the screen size of the browser to cover the whole screen?
In the past this was not tough to do with javascript and the only downside was a nominally savvy user could alt+tab out or right click out which we disabled with javascript to eliminate those issues.
My problem now really stems from the fact that tabbed browsing in Firefox, IE, etc... can allow you to choose to open all new windows within a tab. Since this is the case my javascript that was hiding the toolbar, address bar, etc... is no longer capable of hiding these items since the new window is a new tab as opposed to a new browser window.
Is there any way I can get the browser to cover the entire user screen when they take a test within the application? I have thought about using Silverlight but until 2.0 comes out I really don't have the access to the .Net framework that I need and Flash is too cumbersome for working with databases.
Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how I can accomplish this. To reiterate my exact need, I would like my web application to control the entire user screen to prevent cheating. I know that in the end a very savvy user will find a way around this but I would like to come as close as possible.
In the past this was not tough to do with javascript and the only downside was a nominally savvy user could alt+tab out or right click out which we disabled with javascript to eliminate those issues.
My problem now really stems from the fact that tabbed browsing in Firefox, IE, etc... can allow you to choose to open all new windows within a tab. Since this is the case my javascript that was hiding the toolbar, address bar, etc... is no longer capable of hiding these items since the new window is a new tab as opposed to a new browser window.
Is there any way I can get the browser to cover the entire user screen when they take a test within the application? I have thought about using Silverlight but until 2.0 comes out I really don't have the access to the .Net framework that I need and Flash is too cumbersome for working with databases.
Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how I can accomplish this. To reiterate my exact need, I would like my web application to control the entire user screen to prevent cheating. I know that in the end a very savvy user will find a way around this but I would like to come as close as possible.
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ASKER
scrathcyboy,
I appreciate the effort but hope you will read through my entire question. As to your insunuation that I am not developing a true application this would be an incorrect assumption. I am creating an ASP.Net web application with VB.Net utilizing a full object oriented architecture, multiple tiers, Entity Spaces collection database objects, etc... I am no beginner and have developed large corporate web applications before and while this runs over the web and not desk top it is indeed an APPLICATION.
If you review my post you will note that I explicitly acknowledge a savvy user can probably get around this in the end if they really know what they are doing. My question is does anyone have suggestions on how to get around this for the time being.
I know how to open a pop-up window, or at least think I do, in full screen mode without toolbars, etc... but my javascript technique to open a new window maximized doesn't seem to work with newer browsers that open a pop-up window in a new tab. Perhaps there is a newer technique to get around the tabbed browser I have just not learned yet? I do have a reply previous to yours with a helpful bit of information i have simply not had the opportunity to try yet.
Do you have any real suggestions for me? I do not have the option of forcing users to download a desktop app, using Active X dll, or anything else that might not be allowed on a secure network intranet setting. I must do this through a browser and eliminate as many options to get out of the test window and cheat as possible.
I am thinking opening a web browser full screen, regardless of the web browser and whether tabbed browsing, is my best bet. From there I can use javascript to disable most everything such as Alt+Tab, Right mouse click, etc... so that only the most savvy users can defeat the system. In that case, the user is highly motivated and will find a way around no matter what I do.
So if you actually have some helpful solutions, suggestions, links, etc... they would be greatly appreciated. Again, I would give Silverlight a whirl but alas the version I need to use is only in Alpha phase. I may redesign later but need something to move forward with for now.
I appreciate the effort but hope you will read through my entire question. As to your insunuation that I am not developing a true application this would be an incorrect assumption. I am creating an ASP.Net web application with VB.Net utilizing a full object oriented architecture, multiple tiers, Entity Spaces collection database objects, etc... I am no beginner and have developed large corporate web applications before and while this runs over the web and not desk top it is indeed an APPLICATION.
If you review my post you will note that I explicitly acknowledge a savvy user can probably get around this in the end if they really know what they are doing. My question is does anyone have suggestions on how to get around this for the time being.
I know how to open a pop-up window, or at least think I do, in full screen mode without toolbars, etc... but my javascript technique to open a new window maximized doesn't seem to work with newer browsers that open a pop-up window in a new tab. Perhaps there is a newer technique to get around the tabbed browser I have just not learned yet? I do have a reply previous to yours with a helpful bit of information i have simply not had the opportunity to try yet.
Do you have any real suggestions for me? I do not have the option of forcing users to download a desktop app, using Active X dll, or anything else that might not be allowed on a secure network intranet setting. I must do this through a browser and eliminate as many options to get out of the test window and cheat as possible.
I am thinking opening a web browser full screen, regardless of the web browser and whether tabbed browsing, is my best bet. From there I can use javascript to disable most everything such as Alt+Tab, Right mouse click, etc... so that only the most savvy users can defeat the system. In that case, the user is highly motivated and will find a way around no matter what I do.
So if you actually have some helpful solutions, suggestions, links, etc... they would be greatly appreciated. Again, I would give Silverlight a whirl but alas the version I need to use is only in Alpha phase. I may redesign later but need something to move forward with for now.
"As to your insunuation that I am not developing a true application this would be an incorrect assumption."
I never "insinuate" anything. I was merely pointing out a fact -- if you use a language that delivers to the users browser a page that is at the USER's control, then you cannot defeat what the user will do. This is a well known fact. If you deliver a page that is NOT at the user's control, i.e limited in some way, then you can accomplish what you want. I donate a lot of my time to help others for free with always useful advice. If they are offended by it, then good luck, there are lots of others grateful for the help that I give.
I never "insinuate" anything. I was merely pointing out a fact -- if you use a language that delivers to the users browser a page that is at the USER's control, then you cannot defeat what the user will do. This is a well known fact. If you deliver a page that is NOT at the user's control, i.e limited in some way, then you can accomplish what you want. I donate a lot of my time to help others for free with always useful advice. If they are offended by it, then good luck, there are lots of others grateful for the help that I give.
ASKER
I am always grateful to and appreciative of any help that is given. I was merely trying to point this question back in the right direction and re-state for subsequent posters that I am aware using the browser will never be completely foolproof and am willing to accept that.
What I need to to get subsequent posters and yourself to say, "hey this keystroke combination will allow the user out of the window." That way I can account for that with Javascript or some other method. The more possibilities that I get thrown out here or things to think about the better the solution I can come up with.
You mention being able to defeat this with one keystroke in a previous post? It would be great if you could list the different ways you think people can defeat the browser maximized and any suggestions on how to prevent. Or if you have some more focused ideas on some other method that would work and be tolerated in a secure, corporate network that would be great too. My main problem is I have no idea what type of environement this application may be used. It could be Windows, Linux, Apple, etc... so I need a delivery vehicle capable of working for all of these which leads me to a web based application.
What I need to to get subsequent posters and yourself to say, "hey this keystroke combination will allow the user out of the window." That way I can account for that with Javascript or some other method. The more possibilities that I get thrown out here or things to think about the better the solution I can come up with.
You mention being able to defeat this with one keystroke in a previous post? It would be great if you could list the different ways you think people can defeat the browser maximized and any suggestions on how to prevent. Or if you have some more focused ideas on some other method that would work and be tolerated in a secure, corporate network that would be great too. My main problem is I have no idea what type of environement this application may be used. It could be Windows, Linux, Apple, etc... so I need a delivery vehicle capable of working for all of these which leads me to a web based application.
ASKER
yo_s_canta,
I tried the solution you provided and this works well if the browser is not set to open pop-ups in a new tab. In IE7 and Firefox you can set how pop-ups are opened and choose to open in a new tab. In this case the fullscreen is just ignored as the screen opens in the current open browser which already has toolbars, etc... visible.
Anyone have any ideas on how to go around this?
I tried the solution you provided and this works well if the browser is not set to open pop-ups in a new tab. In IE7 and Firefox you can set how pop-ups are opened and choose to open in a new tab. In this case the fullscreen is just ignored as the screen opens in the current open browser which already has toolbars, etc... visible.
Anyone have any ideas on how to go around this?
ASKER
scrathcyboy,
Unless anyone else has any comments to add or other information to provide I will reduce points and accept and you answer that this is simply not possible. There seems to be no other comments or suggestions and after further review I think that you are indeed correct to say this cannot be done on the browser.
Thanks to all for any help provided.
Unless anyone else has any comments to add or other information to provide I will reduce points and accept and you answer that this is simply not possible. There seems to be no other comments or suggestions and after further review I think that you are indeed correct to say this cannot be done on the browser.
Thanks to all for any help provided.
scrathcyboy,
This is my fault. The asker wanted to know how to close the question and indicated it was unresolved, but partially answered by you. When I read the thread, I also did not see where you had given the answer (sometimes it's hard to see in between your commentary) so I advised the asker to post the solution and award partial credit.
You did have a week in which to post back during that process to get a Moderator involved. However, you didn't and the question closed the "wrong" way.
The asker has clarified his comments in the CA Zone and yes, you should get full points for your answer. I've changed the solution around accordingly.
In the future, you may want to slightly tone down your responses.
Jason1178
Community Advisor
This is my fault. The asker wanted to know how to close the question and indicated it was unresolved, but partially answered by you. When I read the thread, I also did not see where you had given the answer (sometimes it's hard to see in between your commentary) so I advised the asker to post the solution and award partial credit.
You did have a week in which to post back during that process to get a Moderator involved. However, you didn't and the question closed the "wrong" way.
The asker has clarified his comments in the CA Zone and yes, you should get full points for your answer. I've changed the solution around accordingly.
In the future, you may want to slightly tone down your responses.
Jason1178
Community Advisor
Try this:
function fullwin(loc){
ref=window.open(loc,"win",
ref.focus();
}
You can access il like this fullwin('home.html');
If you want to resize curent document to hole screen:
window.moveTo(0,0);
if (document.all) {
window.resizeTo(screen.ava
}
else if (document.layers||document
if (window.outerHeight<screen
window.outerHeight = screen.availHeight;
window.outerWidth = screen.availWidth;
}
}