Part one of a series on my website - http://www.interlockedpieces.com

1. Making the Most of ARD 3
Part 1
Wanda Terral
Updated Technology Coordinator
1-16-13
Millington Central High School
Millington, Tennessee

2. Series: Making the Most of ARD 3
This series is to share tips
for using Apple Remote
Desktop to manage groups
of Apple computers.
Information from this
series will likely be used in
future workshop
presentations.

3. ARD 3 Basics
The links below will assist you if a primer
about Apple Remote Desktop basics.
● ARD 3 Introduction [Video 3:29]
● ARD Tutorial (from ITS@ MSUM)
● ARD 3 Manuals (from Apple)
● ARD 3 Resources (from Apple)
● ARD 3 Support (from Apple)

4. Background
I am a Technology Coordinator and use ARD 3
to manage hundreds of Apple computers at
our high school.
Our teachers have access to ARD 3 on the
teacher computer in computer labs and on
mobile carts.

5. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Adjust Default Preferences
When configuring ARD on the administrative
computer, you can adjust a number of
preferences by using the Remote Desktop >
Preferences menu.
There some adjustments I
make each time I set up an
administrative computer.

6. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Adjust Default Preferences: General
Change to Observe from the default Get Info.
We have Chat turned off but, just in case, I
make sure this is unchecked. If you use the
Chat feature, this option should be checked
if you want client computers to have the
ability to reply to messages sent by the
administrative computer.

7. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Adjust Default Preferences: Security
On our teacher computers, I place a check
here which allows me to access the teacher
computer if they are using ARD so I can
● demo a feature for them
● pull up an observed screen for them
● copy files to client computers from
teacher computer
● send them a longer message by
opening TextEdit and typing there
(which also allows them to reply)
While the teacher may not know how to
access all the features ARD has to offer,
sometimes I am the one using the install
and I want to have full access.

8. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Customize Your Toolbars
When types of windows are opened in ARD,
they have toolbars which can be customized
based on your needs - add needed shortcuts
or remove unneeded ones.

9. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Customize Your Toolbars
Drag items up to
toolbar to add items.
Click and hold on
toolbar items to drag
them off of the
toolbar.
Set other toolbar
preferences at the
bottom of the sheet.
Click DONE to save
settings for that type
of window.

10. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
UNIX Commands
ARD has a number of UNIX command templates
available for you to use. To use them, open a
UNIX command window with a toolbar icon or
by Manage > Send UNIX Command...

11. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
UNIX Commands
Click the
drop-down
menu beside
Templates
to view
This choice
default will install
commands all needed
Software
available. Updates.

12. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Templates for "Open Application"
On occasion, I want to launch an application on a
group of computers. Sometimes it is to prepare for
student use. Sometimes it is to verify a change I've
made remotely. Use the "Open Application" icon on
the toolbar or Manage > Open Application...

13. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Templates for "Open Application"
It can take some time for the list of available
applications to load so I have created templates
for ones I open most often.
First, select application
with the button or
drag-&-drop an
Tip: Have the
application onto the application in the
Applications folder
window. Then select before saving as a
template.
Save as Template.

14. Making the Most of ARD 3 - Part 1
Templates for "Copy"
A similar procedure can be used for copying files.
This is especially handy for .plist files to reset
items like the Dock.
Tip: Have the items to be copied in a permanent
location before saving as a template. I have a
folder on my computer for each set of computers.
Files I copy often are saved there.

15. Series: Making the Most of ARD 3
This brings Part 1 to an end.
I hope the information has
been helpful.
Keep an eye on my website
Follow me on Twitter
for the release of Part 2!
@wterral
InterlockedPieces.com