Moodle Platforms

[Espada]

Okay those of you who are running Moodle now what platforms do you run it on?

Our old domain controller is being retired to make way for something even better and it will be available for Moodle. It has dual Xeon processors (not sure on the speed) SCSI 5.1 and a Gig of RAM. As an op sys I am considering Debian, I don't really want to splash out on another Windows Server licence.

Edit: Is there anyone in N. Bucks/MK here who is running Moodle currently?

[CyberNerd]

Our Moodle is on a dual P3 1.3GHz Xeon Proliant running CentOS.
http://www.centos.org/

[Tuxguy]

Dual 2.8Ghz Xeon Proliant, 2Gb RAM, Suse 10, Moodle 1.6 - £575 + VAT the lot, brand new - an HP deal that included the free extra processor - hard to say no at that price! Only just built, so can't comment on the performance yet, and I may still rebuild it as I learn the tweaks to make it even better.

[budgester]

Edit: Is there anyone in N. Bucks/MK here who is running Moodle currently?

You mean other than the Open Univeristy ? Who are pouring so much money into moodle it's obscene :-)

By the way, the moodlemoot.org conference was excellent last week.

There was also an announcement at the conference that Microsoft are paying moodle to write in compatability with MS SQL server, the moodle people are going to move towards using Adodb for the database abstraction layer with will also have the benifits of allowing pretty much any sensible SQL server to work with moodle.

We are running moodle on debian, was running it on debian stable, but the moodle package is quite old in there, have just moved to debain testing and did a very simple upgrade to moodle 1.6.

Ya gotta love apt-get.

[fastlane]

I came across this in the NAACE newsletter this week.

Thought I would share....

You CAN use Moodle BUT.......

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Moodle Muddle - a message from DfES

DfES colleague Colin Hurd writes:

"The Moodle Muddle

It's been suggested by some that the DfES is against Moodle. This is most
definitely not the case.

Let's start with the big picture. UK Government studies have previously
suggested that the use of open source software (OSS) within the UK public
sector can provide a viable and credible alternative to propriety software
and lead to significant cost savings.

The Cabinet Office eGovernment Unit took the lead on OSS from October 2004.
Further information can be found on its website at
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-go...ance/index.asp . In
particular you will find the policy for OSS available in a pdf document. Key
points are that the:

UK government will consider OSS solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT
procurements. Contracts will be awarded on value for money basis
UK government will only use products for interoperability that support open
standards and specifications in all future IT developments

So Moodle is fine provided that it's the right and value for money solution
taking into account the total cost of ownership (TCO) e.g. the software might
be free but support isn't. You can find out more about TCO and OSS in schools
on Becta's website at http://schools.becta.org.uk.

DfES recognises that there is a strong following for OSS and for Moodle in
particular, supported in its development by both the Open University and the
University of Lancaster. But there is an issue around the development of the
learning platforms framework agreement, due to be announced by Becta in early
January 2007, and OSS. Since OSS products do not originate from an industry
supplier's product they are unlikely to be included on the framework.

The framework agreement covers a set of quality assured functions including,
for example, training and reliable first-line telephone support that conform
to agreed functional and technical specifications and standards. Together
these create a full service that will enable coherence across education,
allowing mobility of learners and their data, as well as a stable and
consistent arena for content developers and providers. Part of Becta's role
is to assess suppliers and monitor their performance throughout the period of
the agreement.

DfES supports fully Becta's framework strategy because schools must have a
mechanism that enables them to install learning platforms that can exchange
information and provide a robust, reliable and cost effective service.
Without these schools will not get the full benefits.

One key aim is to reduce the technical burden on schools. Schools'
self-development of any OSS product has a cost (not least time and effort)
and is not, contrary to popular belief, free. The framework agreement will
support interoperability and economies of scale through aggregation as
provision will ideally be contracted as a fully supported (one-stop-shop)
service to schools from local authority or regional broadband consortium
providers. This does not preclude other collaborative groupings provided
they serve strategic needs and deliver best value for money solutions.

OSS products are unlikely to be included on the framework proper. But if
they meet the functional and technical specifications requirements and are
selected as the tool of delivery by any fully supported service provider,
then a school is free to choose an OSS, including Moodle-based, service."

Colin Hurd
DfES Head of Strategic Technologies
27 July 2006
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[budgester]

But there is an issue around the development of the
learning platforms framework agreement, due to be announced by Becta in early January 2007, and OSS. Since OSS products do not originate from an industry supplier's product they are unlikely to be included on the framework.

So in the meantime do we all wait until next year when Becta gives out it's blessings ? Very unlikely.

What we do is not commit to spending large sums of money buying a VLE that may or may not be included in the framework.

A server that meets all of the miminum specs for all of the different VLE's so that if we chose to we can buy the software when the guidlines come out. In the meantime we could install a linux distro with moodle, which will take all of about 1/2 a day, put it out there and see if it gets used.

So are you sheep to be led along a path by others ?

[Espada]

So they are not against Moodle in any way but they are saying it won't recomended which means OFSTED will criticise us for using it so they are really saying don't use it because it is free.

[wesleyw]

Pretty much, yes!

To be honest though I'm gonna see if the teachers take to the idea first then decide what to do! I have moodle installed already so what the heck!

Wes

[webman]

Back-handers by the commercial VLEs is the most likely reason I can think of, anyone else agree?

[beeswax]

Pretty much, yes!

To be honest though I'm gonna see if the teachers take to the idea first then decide what to do! I have moodle installed already so what the heck!

Wes

did you get the stuff I sent you?
beeswax

[wesleyw]

Yeah I sent a PM thanking you! But again thanks to you and GrumbleDook for sending the stuff over and quickly too!

Wes

[Tuxguy]

...plus a mentality that does not yet understand the way OSS works. The moodle community provides better support than most companies, but that's not something that is comprehended by those not paying attention to the way the world is changing, and is certainly poo-pooed by the commercial organisations that have a lot to lose.

Because Moodle in non-proprietry I feel part of it, really involved, and that enthusiasm is infectious. I'll continue promoting its use as I believe it is a 'good thing'!

[kestrel1]

I am running moodle on our web server. Its an old IBM pentium III server with 512mb memory. Running Net BSD. Don't think Moodle is being used that much. There was alot of interest to start off with, but you know what teachers are like.