Cross platform pilot

[dagza]

Anyone involved in running the tests on different platforms?

We got the software installed last week and today was the first time I tried it in anger. It is basically the same software but tweaked by them so it can be delivered from our citrix servers so we can run it on a mac or whatever.

Tried today with one class and gave them 2 servers and perfomance (or lack of it) was a real issue. Actually they were working in pairs so we only had about 10 tests running. Obviously we use the same servers day to day under greater load with far less problems.

Of course it could be a tweak / update needed on the servers (I am about to email them) but curious how anybody else involved is finding it (without slipping into the what do you expect from RM type conversation as tempting as that is).

Ta

[alan-d]

We are running Win 2003 and XP and what we found was that the software seemed to queue the logging in and logging off (Load and Unload) which caused some delay but other than that it works fine.

Is that the sort of problem you were having? Just trying to give a comparison


On a good note - we had one PC crash half way through a test and when we got the student back on it restarted the test at the point of the crash - so not all bad news.

[russdev]

like most beta software has it 'issues' the interface needs some work....

but certainly people that did it last year and people this year will be in good stead when you have to do it next year (well thats prediction) next year is forced pilot and then year after is first reported results...


Russ

[CyberNerd]

The Citrix method is not cross platform. To be cross platform it would need to run without MS Windows which the KS3 software does not.

We do have it running on Centos server as a published application onto mac/linux clients and it seems to be working ok, but we've not tested with a large group. I'll keep you posted.

ps.
check this for a web-based word processor (not possible according to RM !)
http://www.linspire.com/ajaxwrite.php

[linuxgirlie]

Damn people won't even let me try it as I'm not using there certified (Red Hat) version of Linux...grrrrr....it's all rpm-based..it will work!!

[CyberNerd]

Technically speaking I'm not using their certified version either.
(arguably Centos IS that version, but RM didnt know that when I spoke to them)


They still sent it. The installer is NOT rpm based and could probably be modded for any distro:


do you want qca to start legal action i.e qca own that code we cant publish it - russ

[CyberNerd]

oops. damned copywrite. Most of that code is ripped from GPL'ed installer scripts.
Maybe RM should be sued !
PM me for the installer.

[openhgs]

Damn people won't even let me try it as I'm not using there certified (Red Hat) version of Linux...grrrrr....it's all rpm-based..it will work!!

ditto. Even if it wasn't rpm based (eg .gz etc) we Linux bods could very easily get it to work. Is the fact that they won't even let us try and install it on a none RHEL box a case of FUD from RM? I think we at the coal face should be leading the development of this.

[webman]

Install Centos on a server and then once you get the discs/install package, blitz the server and install what you like - you have the package

[Ric_]

Haven't tested it yet but I've got the stuff all installed on my Citrix farm. I have been asked to run performance monitors when we do use it so we shall see what the results are.

@dagza: What spec of server(s) were you using?

[kevinmcaleer]

The very nature of high stake tests requires a known, reliable platform.

Remember some paper based tests require the candidates to use only black pen...

It would not be practical, or possibly even fair to run a high stakes test on a variable number of platforms that may or may not be supported. Red Hat linux was chosen because you as a network manager can buy support from Red Hat. Purchasing software from a supplier also mitigates risk from a legal point of view, fit for purpose etc.

[ico2]

do you want qca to start legal action i.e qca own that code we cant publish it - russ

*grumbles angrily*

[Geoff]

If you want RHEL without paying Redhat money, use CentOS. It's a complete workalike (minus the support and associated costs).

http://www.centos.org/

[ico2]

Personally I like debian for server and older desktop use. Free also.

[CyberNerd]

The very nature of high stake tests requires a known, reliable platform.

Remember some paper based tests require the candidates to use only black pen...

I'm sorry but that is one of the lamest arguments I've heared in a long while.

The reason there is no Cross-Platform support is because of commercial pressures on RM. RM aren't going to go out of their way to develop for other platforms and risk upsetting their partnership with MS - no way.
In the mean time schools now get a compulsary lock-in into their technology

- hardly the same as using black ink.