[THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
- From: "Sjolund, Dag" <Sjolund@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 14:04:41 -0700
Thanks for checking on this, Claudio. I am not convinced that the two
primary reasons for disabling functionality this holds water.
1) If "some" applications break when seeing -1, then shouldn't those
applications get fixed, rather than globally disabling the functionality
at the platform level for all environments and applications?
2) The CPU (and bandwidth) impact of the CursorBlinkRate is miniscule
if the blink rate is set to a moderate pace. In addition, to the
scalability point, in our multi-farm Windows 2000 Terminal Services
environment we routinely have 250+ concurrent sessions per server, all
with blinking cursors.
To Joe's point earlier on the placement of the blinking cursor, it needs
to be enabled on the server, as any client side implementation, such as
Citrix's SpeedScreen, becomes a hassle to configure, and judging from
SpeedScreen, functionality/presentation-wise is marginal. SpeedScreen
was/is primarily a latency countermeasure anyway, not a bandwidth
reduction feature. As bandwidth and CPU usage really are non issues
with the CursorBlinkRate feature, I maintain that Server-side control of
this functionality should be enabled.
Thanks again for presenting this on behalf of the CCC (Concerned
CursorBlinkRate Community) ;-)
-----Original Message-----
From: Claudio Rodrigues [mailto:crodrigues@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=20
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 9:40 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
Ok I talked with the developers on the TS group in Redmond last week.
Resuming their explanation: 1. Some applications go crazy when they see
the -1 setting to stop the cursor blinking (as we do on Windows 2000) so
they took this out on 2003 and simply ignore the > 0 setting in a TS
session and the cursor does not blink. 2. As you are aware of, the
cursor blinking requires timers what consume CPU cycles so there was
also a scalability factor on this decision. They are aware of the issue
and it is on their plate but I cannot say for sure if we will see a
formal fix/patch for that (I think we will) and they told me they have
no idea on a timeframe for this.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sjolund, Dag [mailto:Sjolund@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=3D20
Sent: March 11, 2004 2:42 PM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
Brain, Claudio and Ron - In addition to all the other material you guys
contribute to the list, thanks for addressing this with the right folks.
Make sure they understand that it negatively impacts system navigation
and functionality for people with disabilities, and that it, as a
result, should not be a pure bandwidth consideration.
-----Original Message-----
From: Claudio Rodrigues [mailto:crodrigues@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=3D3D20
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 8:11 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
I will send the TS developers in Redmond an email today.
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Madden [mailto:brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=3D3D3D20
Sent: March 10, 2004 6:42 PM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
Ron, Claudio, and I will all be attending the MVP Conference in Redmond
in about three weeks. We'll be sure to ask the developers then.
Hopefully that's not too long of a wait!
Brian
Brian Madden
brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
+1.202.302.3657
Visit www.brianmadden.com for in-depth Citrix, Terminal Server, and
server-based computing news and analysis, white papers, downloadable
videos, and product reviews.
-----Original Message-----
From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Jeff Durbin
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 6:36 PM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
Man, that's lame. Thanks Microsoft!=3D3D3D20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D3D3D20 =3D3D
[mailto:thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>On Behalf Of Sjolund, Dag
> Sent: Wednesday, 10 March 2004 4:57 p.m.
> To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [THIN] Cursor blink rate in Windows 2003...
>=3D3D3D20
>=3D3D3D20
> List Subscribers,
>=3D3D3D20
> In preparing for an upgrade of a Windows 2000 Server-based=3D3D3D20 =
=3D
=3D3D20
>terminal services farm to Windows 2003 Server, I have run=3D3D3D20 =
into=20
>=3D
an
=3D3D
>issue with the cursor blink functionality on the=3D3D3D20 Windows =3D
2003=3D3D20
>Server platform. After talking with Microsoft=3D3D3D20 Support, =3D
cursor=3D3D20
>blinking functionality is programmatically=3D3D3D20 disabled by design
on=3D3D20
>the Windows 2003 Server platform for=3D3D3D20 RDP sessions. This was
not=3D3D20
>the case on Windows 2000 and NT=3D3D3D20 4.0 based platforms. =3D
Microsoft's
=3D3D
>reasoning for this design=3D3D3D20 is likely anchored in the
historically=3D3D20
>well known issue of=3D3D3D20 bandwidth implications relating to a =3D
blinking
=3D3D
>cursor, coupled=3D3D3D20 with the desire to make RDP protocol as =
"thin"=20
>=3D
as
=3D3D
>possible by=3D3D3D20 default. Even though the cursor blink issue =3D
only=3D3D20
>had=3D3D3D20 bandwidth implications in certain environments, the =3D3D
global=3D3D3D20
> disabling of this "feature" has ramifications in environments=3D3D3D20 =
=20
>where available bandwidth is a non-issue. Does anyone have=3D3D3D20 =
any
>connections with the right people at Microsoft to get=3D3D3D20 =
something
>like this addressed? I have an active case with MS=3D3D3D20 Support =
on=20
>this issue, though it is currently in a "We=3D3D3D20 can't/won't =
change=20
>this functionality" stage. The support rep is trying to address the=20
>issue=3D3D3D20 through proper MS Support channels, but I figured I =
would
>try=3D3D3D20 to assist him with some help from this distinguished =
forum.
>=3D3D3D20 The cursor blink rate issue is a big one as it relates=20
>to=3D3D3D20 window/field navigation, especially for visually=20
>impaired=3D3D3D20 users, and though a minor detail configuration wise, =
>is a=3D3D3D20 show stopper for the overall solution. Someone with=20
>the=3D3D3D20 right connections please respond.....please.... Did I=20
>say=3D3D3D20 please? I'll attach an e-mail that I sent to MS Support=20
>for=3D3D3D20 those who are really interested. For those who are=20
>not,=3D3D3D20 sorry for temporarily taking up ~25K in your inbox.
>=3D3D3D20
> Dag Sjolund, MCSE, CCNA, CCA, CISSP
> Senior Systems Engineer
> Best Western International, Inc.
>=3D3D3D20
> ______________________________________________________________
> __________
> _
>=3D3D3D20
> [MS Support Rep],
>=3D3D3D20
> The issue that we are experiencing with the CursorBlinkRate=3D3D3D20
> feature on Windows 2003 Server may have adverse implications=3D3D3D20
> on proceeding further with Windows 2003 Server-based Terminal=3D3D3D20
> Services implementations in our environment. Best Western=3D3D3D20
> International, Inc., THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(r),=3D3D3D20
> currently utilize a multi-server, multi-farm Windows 2000=3D3D3D20
> Advanced Server Terminal Services solution to provide call=3D3D3D20
> center functionality for all Central Reservation Centers worldwide.
> =3D3D3D3D20
> Though potentially viewed as a minor detail in the overall=3D3D3D20
> solution, one of the vital requirements of this solution is=3D3D3D20
> for the call center agents to at all times be able to=3D3D3D20
> identify where in their call center applications they have=3D3D3D20
> navigated. This is especially true for agents that are=3D3D3D20
> visually impaired and/or have other physical challenges=3D3D3D20
> relating to mouse movements and keyboard operation. With the=3D3D3D20
> Windows 2000 Server platform this was a non-issue, as the=3D3D3D20
> cursor blink rate was a functional and adjustable setting,=3D3D3D20
> that could be tailored to the target Terminal Services environment.
> =3D3D3D3D20
> This brings us to the issue at hand: In Windows 2003, the=3D3D3D20
> cursor blink functionality has been globally disabled for the=3D3D3D20
> purpose of optimizing bandwidth usage of the RDP protocol and=3D3D3D20
> Terminal Services. As one can surmise, this means that even=3D3D3D20
> in scenarios were available bandwidth is not an issue, this=3D3D3D20
> feature cannot be enabled. In Best Western International's=3D3D3D20
> Terminal Services environment, cursor blinking has by design=3D3D3D20
> been enabled since the release of Windows NT 4.0 Terminal=3D3D3D20
> Server Edition, and is currently enabled in the Windows 2000=3D3D3D20
> Server-based implementation. The Terminal Services=3D3D3D20
> environment spans multiple LAN/WAN architectures, including=3D3D3D20
> Dial-up modem connectivity, DSL/ADSL, Frame Relay circuits,=3D3D3D20
> T1/T3, and 100/1000Mb LAN segments. The individual servers=3D3D3D20
> routinely handle 250+ concurrent Terminal Services sessions=3D3D3D20
> without performance issues. At no point have we experienced=3D3D3D20
> issues relating to bandwidth usage as a result of the cursor=3D3D3D20
> blink feature.
> =3D3D3D3D20
> In summary, and judging from the numerous responses received=3D3D3D20
> from posts on newsgroups and other support forums on this=3D3D3D20
> topic, this issue is one that impacts decisions regarding the=3D3D3D20
> feasibility of Windows 2003 as a Terminal Services solution. =3D3D3D20
> The suggested behavior for the cursor blink feature would=3D3D3D20
> mirror the functionality on the Windows 2000 Server platform,=3D3D3D20
> but with one small adjustment: The cursor blink feature is=3D3D3D20
> enabled and adjustable, but the default behavior should be=3D3D3D20
> set to "no blinking" (-1).
> =3D3D3D3D20
> Please investigate if would be possible to submit this case=3D3D3D20
> as a justification for a patch or revision of the associated=3D3D3D20
> code. Below are details of the issue experienced. Let me=3D3D3D20
> know if you have any questions or concerns.
> =3D3D3D3D20
> Thanks,
> =3D3D3D3D20
> Dag Sjolund, MCSE, CCNA, CCA, CISSP
> Senior Systems Engineer
> Best Western International, Inc. - THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL=3D3D3D20
> CHAIN(r) =3D3D3D3D20
>=3D3D3D20
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
> --------
>=3D3D3D20
> =3D3D3D3D20
> Summary of issue at hand:
>=3D3D3D20
> Platform: Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition with all=3D3D3D20
> updates, upgraded in place from Windows 2000 Advanced Server=3D3D3D20
> SP3. Running native Terminal Services (RDP 5.2).
>=3D3D3D20
> Symptoms: User profiles retained the pre-upgrade=3D3D3D20
> CursorBlinkRate settings, but cursor is not blinking at all. =3D3D3D20
> The users are able to change the Cursor blink rate setting=3D3D3D20
> Control Panel's Keyboard applet properties, but it has no=3D3D3D20
> actual effect on the blink rate. Cursor blinking and the=3D3D3D20
> functional adjustment of this value seems to be globally=3D3D3D20
> disabled. There are no "override" string values in the=3D3D3D20
> HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal
> Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\UserOverride\Control Panel\Desktop key.
> Adding a "CursorBlinkRate" string value with a desired=3D3D3D20
> millisecond value in this key has no effect.
>=3D3D3D20
> =3D3D3D3D20
>=3D3D3D20
> ********************************************************
> This weeks sponsor triCerat Inc.
> triCerat makes your job easier by offering essential=3D3D3D20
> applications to eliminate your printing, policy and profile,=3D3D3D20
> and your application management problems.
> http://www.triCerat.com
> **********************************************************
> Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
> http://thin.net/links.cfm
> ***********************************************************
> For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or set Digest or=3D3D3D20
> Vacation mode use the below link:
> http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
>=3D3D3D20
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting
integration firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert=3D3D3D20
consulting services you can depend on. http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or=3D3D3D20
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting
integration firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert=3D3D3D20
consulting services you can depend on. http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or=3D3D3D20
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting
integration firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert=3D3D20
consulting services you can depend on. http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or=3D3D20
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting
integration firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert=3D20
consulting services you can depend on. http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or=3D20
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting
integration firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert=20
consulting services you can depend on.
http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or=20
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
********************************************************
This weeks sponsor Emergent Online.
Emergent OnLine is the leading server-based computing consulting integration
firm in the nation. Emergent OnLine delivers expert
consulting services you can depend on.
http://www.go-eol.com
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thin.net/links.cfm
***********************************************************
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thin.net/citrixlist.cfm
Other related posts:
