Sharepoint Demo?

[RabbieBurns]

I keep hearing about sharepoint, but to be honest I know nothing about it. Is it basically MS version of Moodle?

How does it work? IIS Server with SQL backend linked to AD for auth?

Its also been mentioned to me that Sharepoint can replace the entire MIS and timetabling software - is this true ?

Is there anywhere on the MS site that offers a demo of sharepoint from a staff / student perspective (or does anyone here have a dev site they would be willing to show me round?)

[localzuk]

Sharepoint is a portal system. You place 'WebParts' on pages, and they do their own little thing. So, you could make use of inbuilt list functionality to create a task list webpart, or you can develop your own webparts to connect to external servers etc...

It isn't like Moodle, as Moodle is specifically a VLE - and has its systems set around that. Sharepoint is a clean slate, which you can then shape into whatever you want.

WRT it replacing a full MIS? Only if you have a full suite of webparts etc... to do so. It wouldn't be Sharepoint doing it though, it'd be the system running on top of sharepoint.

Auth is done via IIS and AD, yes.

The thing is, it is ultimately customisable. So, every person's implementation of it will be different.

Your best bet is, IMO, to set up an Sharepoint install on a virtual machine and have a play. Create some sites, assign some permissions etc...

[RabbieBurns]

Sharepoint is a portal system. You place 'WebParts' on pages, and they do their own little thing. So, you could make use of inbuilt list functionality to create a task list webpart, or you can develop your own webparts to connect to external servers etc...

It isn't like Moodle, as Moodle is specifically a VLE - and has its systems set around that. Sharepoint is a clean slate, which you can then shape into whatever you want.

WRT it replacing a full MIS? Only if you have a full suite of webparts etc... to do so. It wouldn't be Sharepoint doing it though, it'd be the system running on top of sharepoint.

Auth is done via IIS and AD, yes.

The thing is, it is ultimately customisable. So, every person's implementation of it will be different.

Your best bet is, IMO, to set up an Sharepoint install on a virtual machine and have a play. Create some sites, assign some permissions etc...

Thanks for the reply, that makes a bot of sense as Ive seen lots of jobs advertised for "Sharepoint Developer" so I assume that is actual coding of the 'Web Parts' ?

How do Schools use Sharepoint - is there existing free "webparts" available, or does everyone have to develop their own?

Ive got it downloaded, Ive just not found the time to even create the hyperv machine let alone install SP, maybe during the spring 'holidays' coming up I might find a day..

[SYNACK]

You could give the virtual labs a go, they run off MS servers so have almost no setup time:
SharePoint Products and Technologies - Virtual Labs | TechNet
SharePoint Server Virtual Labs

If you want the full integrated experience fast just download the VHD set with it all setup to have a bash with:
Download details: 2010 Information Worker Demonstration and Evaluation Virtual Machine (RTM)
(download in multipart rar and with much better instructions) or
Download details: 2010 IW Demo VM (RTM) (bare download)

there is also the dev course and resources:
http://channel9.msdn.com/learn/cours...2010Developer/

[RabbieBurns]

Ah cheers, looks perfect.. Ill grab the VHD and have a play tomorrow.

[zag]

I posted some screenshots of ours linked below. Might give you an indication of its uses.

Basically we use it to link every web based resource together into one place, its an awesome bit of software to use in schools.

Anyone playing with Sharepoint 2010?

[McKinley]

We've done a bit with sharepoint here at Twynham.

Our sharepoint 'journey' been put together by Mike Herrity in an ebook, worth a read if you want to see sharepoint in a school.

Twynham School Learning Gateway 2007-10

[NewOrder]

MLG Microsoft learning Gateway whcih was based on SharePoint 2003 and class server, first originated in Australia circa 2004. I',m surprised its not more know down under!

2010 is RAM hungry. You need decent hardware and preferably a number of boxes so as to separate search, SQL etc.

[zag]

MLG Microsoft learning Gateway whcih was based on SharePoint 2003 and class server, first originated in Australia circa 2004. I',m surprised its not more know down under!

2010 is RAM hungry. You need decent hardware and preferably a number of boxes so as to separate search, SQL etc.

I've not found that at all, works very fast on my virtualized server with 6gb ram.

[Edu-IT]

We've done a bit with sharepoint here at Twynham.

Our sharepoint 'journey' been put together by Mike Herrity in an ebook, worth a read if you want to see sharepoint in a school.

Twynham School Learning Gateway 2007-10

Do you have a PDF of this you could post?

[apearce]

Do you have a PDF of this you could post?

hit the download button at the top left

[mleighton]

You could have a look at The Kraal home page which has some info and screenshots form schools who are using it.

[Edu-IT]

hit the download button at the top left

Thanks Alex but that would involve me creating an account.

I got it now, though.