Copyright: © 2000 Citrix Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.


Welcome to SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager

Use this tool to configure SpeedScreen latency reduction (SpeedScreen) behavior for a Citrix server, for single or multiple instances of an application, as well as for individual input fields within an application.

It is important to note that the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager must be installed on a MetaFrame for Windows server, and can be used to customize SpeedScreen settings only on that server.

SpeedScreen Latency Reduction is a collective term used to describe functionality such as Local Text Echo and Mouse Click Feedback that helps enhance user experience on a slow network.

•	Local text echo: On high latency connections, users often experience significant delays between when they enter text at the keyboard and when it is echoed or displayed on the screen.

Local text echo is an ICA Client option that accelerates the display of the input text on the client device, effectively shielding the user from experiencing latency on the network

The default server-wide setting for local text echo is Off.

•	Mouse click feedback: On high latency connections, users often click the mouse multiple times because there is no visual feedback that a mouse-click resulted in an action.

Mouse click feedback provides visual feedback for mouse-clicks.  When the user clicks the mouse, the ICA software immediately changes the mouse pointer to an hourglass to show that the user’s input is being processed.

The default server-wide setting for mouse click feedback is On.

 Why Should I use SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager?

 The SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager Window


Why Should I use SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager?

Use this tool to set server-wide settings for SpeedScreen latency reduction.  It can also be used as a troubleshooting tool to tweak SpeedScreen behavior for applications, or input fields within an application, that exhibit incompatibility with SpeedScreen.


The SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager Window

The SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window displays the name of the selected Citrix server and the list of applications with custom SpeedScreen settings on that server.

Click on a button name to view a brief description of its function:

 New

 Delete

 OK

 Cancel

 Apply

To view SpeedScreen settings for the Citrix server or configured applications, right-click on the server or application name and select Properties from the menu displayed.

 To View Server Properties

 To View Application Properties


New

Click New to add a new entry to the list of configured applications.  Clicking on this button starts the Add New Application wizard, which guides you through the process of configuring SpeedScreen behavior for an application, one step at a time.


Delete

Select an entry in the list of configured applications, and click Delete to remove the application from the list.  SpeedScreen settings saved previously for that application will no longer exist.


OK

Click OK to apply changes, and exit the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager.


Cancel

Click Cancel to quit the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager without saving changes.


Apply

Click Apply to save changes.


Add New Application Wizard

If an application is exhibiting strange behavior when SpeedScreen features are enabled, you need to configure SpeedScreen to work correctly with that application.

This wizard helps you configure SpeedScreen settings for the selected application, or all instances of the application, on the Citrix server.  To access the wizard, click New in the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window.

Step 1.	Select the Application

Use the Select Application screen to select an application instance on the Citrix server. To specify the application, use one of the following methods:

•	Click the Browse button and locate the application in the directory listing displayed;

−or−

•	Click the icon at the bottom of the page, and drag and drop the pointer onto the window of an application.  The application must be running when you use the pointer to select it.

Click Next to continue

Step 2.	Specify SpeedScreen Setting for Application. (On/Off)

Specify whether you want to enable or disable SpeedScreen for this application.  Click Next to continue

Step 3.	Specify Configuration Options (all instances of application / selected instance)

Specify whether the SpeedScreen setting you chose in the previous screen (On or Off) should be applied to all instances of the selected application on the server, or just the instance selected.  Click Next to continue

Step 4.	Finish Adding the Application

You have successfully configured SpeedScreen settings for the selected application. Click Finish to save the application and exit the Add New Application wizard.


Add New Application wizard

If an application is exhibiting strange behavior when SpeedScreen features are enabled, you need to configure SpeedScreen to work correctly with that application.

Use the Add New Application wizard to configure SpeedScreen settings for the selected application, or all instances of the application, on the Citrix server.  For help at any time in the process, click the Help button.


Select Application

Use the Select Application screen to select an application instance on the Citrix server. This name identifies the application to SpeedScreen.  To specify the application, use one of the following methods:

•	Click the Browse button and locate the application in the directory listing displayed;

−or−

•	Click the icon at the bottom of the page, and drag and drop the pointer onto the window of an application. The application must be running when you use the pointer to select it.

Click Next to continue


Specify SpeedScreen settings for application. (On/Off)
Specify SpeedScreen Setting for Application. (On/Off)

Specify whether you want to enable or disable SpeedScreen for this application.  Click Next to continue


Specify Configuration Options (all instances of application / selected instance)

Specify whether the SpeedScreen setting you chose in the previous screen (On or Off), should be applied to all instances of the selected application on the server, or just the instance selected.  Click Next to continue


Finish Adding the Application

You have successfully configured SpeedScreen settings for the selected application. Click Finish to save settings, and exit the Add New Application wizard.


Configuring SpeedScreen Settings for a Citrix Server

Select SpeedScreen settings you want to apply to all the applications on the server. All users connecting to this server benefit from the SpeedScreen options you set here.

Note: Changes made to SpeedScreen settings at an application level override any server-wide settings.

  Enable local text echo as default for all applications on this server.

Check this box to enable local text echo for all applications on the server.

  Enable mouse click feedback as default for all applications on this server

Check this box to enable mouse click feedback for all applications on the server.

  Latency threshold times for SpeedScreen (in milliseconds)

Latency threshold times are used when the client device setting for SpeedScreen is set to Auto..

•	High latency threshold: Specify a threshold value above which SpeedScreen options should be enabled.

•	Low latency threshold: Specify a threshold value below which SpeedScreen options should be disabled.


Advanced button
Advanced…

You can set advanced SpeedScreen options for an application in this dialog.  A single option is available:

 Force SpeedScreen to treat all input fields in this application in native mode

Enable this option to force SpeedScreen into handling all input fields in this application in native (safe) mode.  This enables minimal SpeedScreen functionality for all the input fields in the configured application.


Advanced Input Field Compatibility Wizard

Input fields in an application are fields where you type text.  Some input fields do not conform to standard Windows behavior and thus do not work correctly with SpeedScreen. You can create exception entries for such fields, while still providing minimal SpeedScreen functionality for the rest of the application.  This wizard guides you through the process of selecting non-standard input fields and creating exception entries for them.

Step 1. Start the application

The application must be running before you can configure an input field within it.

•	Start the application, if it is not running.

•	Click Next to continue

Step 2. Select an Input Field to Configure

With the application running, select the input field you want to configure

•	Click the icon, and drag and drop the pointer onto the input field window for which SpeedScreen behavior needs to be customized.

•	If the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window is obscuring the target input field, check the Hide SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager checkbox.  This causes the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window to be hidden from view.

•	Click Next to continue.

Step 3. Define the Level of Compatibility for the Input Field

Select the level of SpeedScreen compatibility to apply to the selected input field.  Use the slider bar to select the desired compatibility level.

The default compatibility level is Auto, which provides full SpeedScreen functionality.  However, because the field being configured is not displaying the desired behavior, downgrade the SpeedScreen functionality level to either Medium, Low or Off.

  When do I select Medium?

  When do I select Low?

  When do I select Off?

Step 4. Finish Configuration

You have successfully configured SpeedScreen settings for the selected input field. Click Finish to save settings and exit the wizard.


Advanced Input Field Compatibility Wizard

Input fields in an application are fields where you type text.  Some input fields do not conform to standard Windows behavior and thus do not work correctly with SpeedScreen. You can create exception entries for such controls, while still providing minimal SpeedScreen functionality for the rest of the application.  This wizard guides you through the process of selecting non-standard input controls and creating exception entries for them.


Start Application

The application should be running before you can configure an input control within it.

•	Start the application, if it is not running.

•	Click Next to continue.


Select Input Field for Configuration

With the application running, select the input field you want to configure.

•	Click the icon, and drag and drop the pointer onto the input field window for which you need to customize SpeedScreen behavior.

•	If the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window is obscuring the target input field, check the Hide SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager checkbox.  This causes the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window to be hidden from view.

•	Click Next to continue.


Define Level of Compatibility for Input Field

Select the level of SpeedScreen compatibility to apply to the selected input field.  Use the slider bar to select the desired compatibility level.

The default compatibility level is Auto, which provides full SpeedScreen functionality.  However, because the field being configured is not displaying the desired behavior, downgrade the SpeedScreen functionality level to either Medium, Low or Off.

  When do I select Medium?

  When do I select Low?

  When do I select Off?


Finish Configuration of Input Field

You have successfully configured SpeedScreen settings for the selected input field. Click Finish to save settings and exit the wizard.


Viewing Server Properties

Right-click on the server name entry and select Server Properties from the menu displayed.  SpeedScreen properties for the server are displayed.


Viewing Application Properties

Right-click on an application name entry and select Properties to view SpeedScreen settings for the selected application.


Medium Compatibility

Use this level of compatibility for input fields that are incompatible with the default Auto setting.  Text echo is displayed in place with limited acceleration.


Low Compatibility

If an input field is incompatible with both the Auto and Medium compatibility settings, select Low. Text echo is displayed in a floating text bubble rather than within the input field.


Off, or Zero Compatibility

If an input field is incompatible with Auto, Medium and Low compatibility settings, disable local text echo for that field by selecting Off.


Configuring SpeedScreen Settings for an Application

To view SpeedScreen settings for an application:

•	Right-click on the application executable name in the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager window and select Properties;

−or−

•	From the Application menu, click Properties.

The Application Properties tab containing existing SpeedScreen properties for the selected application appears.

Application Name and Location

  Application Name

The application executable name is displayed here; for example, Excel.exe

  Path to Application

The path to the application executable is displayed here; for example, C:\Microsoft Office\ Excel.exe

Application Settings

  Disable local text echo for this application

The current setting for local text echo is displayed.  Select the checkbox to disable local text echo for this application. Deselect the check box to enable it.

  Limit local text echo for this application to

The current local text echo setting for the application is displayed.  Check this box to limit local text echo functionality for this application, and select the type of text display you need from the drop-down list.

  Advanced button

Click the Advanced button to view the Advanced Applications Settings dialog.

See Also

Advanced Input Field Configuration


Advanced Input Field Configuration

The Advanced Input Field Configuration pane contains SpeedScreen configuration options for application controls. This property page allows the user to set SpeedScreen behavior for selected controls (input fields) in a configured application.

 Configured Input Field List

 Enable local text echo for this field

   Limit local text echo to

   Reduce font size for this field by

   Use system default colors for

   This is a password input field with


Enable local text echo for this field

Place a checkmark in this checkbox to enable local text echo.  If this checkbox is enabled, more local text echo settings can be applied to the selected field.


Limit local text echo to

Input fields in non-standard applications may not behave correctly.  Use these options to force the desired behavior.  Select one of the two available settings.

•	Display text in place: Text is echoed in place.

•	Display text in a floating text bubble: Text is echoed within a floating text bubble.


Reduce font size for this field by

Input fields in non-standard applications may display misaligned text, oversized fonts or other undesirable font behavior.  You can force the field to display text using a reduced font size to overcome this problem. Choose the percentage by which the font size is to be reduced. Percentage values available are 10%, 20% and 30%


Use system default colors for

SpeedScreen tries to auto-detect the text and background colors used in input fields, however non-standard input fields sometimes report incorrect or inadequate information.  As a result text echo in input fields on non-standard applications can appear corrupted. To overcome this problem, use these settings to turn off auto-detection and force input fields to use system default colors.

•	Both the text and background: System default colors are applied to both text and background.

•	The background only: System default colors are be applied only to the background.


This field is a password input field with
This control is a password input field with

Typically, hidden characters are to be found in password entry fields. Text echo in non-standard input fields might make these hidden characters appear as normal text, and hence compromise security.  Use the following options to force non-standard input fields to display hidden characters as asterisks or spaces.

•	Hidden characters denoted by "*": Select this option, if you want local text echo for such input fields to be replaced by asterisks.

•	Hidden characters denoted by spaces: Select this option, if you want local text echo for password input fields to be replaced by spaces.


Configured Input Field List

The list of configured input fields is displayed here.

SpeedScreen uses a window hierarchy to identify the input fields that need special settings.  The entries shown in the tree view are the window class names of the configured fields.  For example, _WwG is the window class name of the main document window in Microsoft Word.

•	To add a new input field to the configured controls list:

Click New to run the Advanced Input Field Compatibility wizard.  This wizard guides you through the process of configuring SpeedScreen settings for an input field.

•	To delete an input field from the configured list:

Select an input field name from the list, and click Delete.


Single or All Instances of an Application

When you configure SpeedScreen settings for an application, you can specify that the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager applies settings to a specific instance of the application, or to all instances of that application.

•	Single Instance – In this case, the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager registers the entire path to the application executable.

•	All Instances – In this case, the SpeedScreen Latency Reduction Manager registers only the executable name, and applies SpeedScreen settings to all occurrences of this executable.  For example, you can publish Word 97 and Word 2000 on the same Citrix server.


 Drag and drop this icon on the window that you want to configure.