Eclipse Electronic Librarian System

[tarquel]

So does anyone have this and any comments about it? Or have you a better systemand how does it compare?

The ICT Co-ordinator just bought it without discussing it with me properly so I'd be interested in finding out how good it is, and tips and tricks with setting it up, is there a benefit to it being networked, etc.

(havent recieved the package yet so dont know its details but will soon)

Regards,
N.

[altecsole]

Yes, pretty good software. We installed it on the Librarians machine as a server install. Other network users could then browse the catalogue by using the search sofware and pointing at the server. You can set the backup to a network location or use a pen drive (as we did).

[mark]

We were recommended it by a neighbouring school, initial impression is good.

I opted to do a standalone install - this just means that PC then holds the database and is accessed by the whole school via a small client on each PC.

We were advised to get the fingerprint scanner - the whole deal cost about £2k - we didn't buy installation or training - and it wasn't needed.

[altecsole]

Yep, fingerprint scanner well worth it.

[Ric_]

Must agree, it seemed to do the job and never gave me any grief.

Only problem I had was the auto updates. If the software decided a new version was available you would need to log on as admin to install it at runtime. This can prob be worked 'round but i'm quite lazy.

[mark]

Just had a call from the Librarian today - she emailed eclipse about the fingerprint scanner bringing up the wrong user from a fingerprint scan.

Apparently this is a known issue - which is fixed in the latest upgrade. There ars now accuracy settings of 1 - 4 - 4 making things slower. I was shocked it could be so inacurate. But like you say - had to log in as admin to apply the patch

Another funny thing - I noticed there was an update to the intelliscan module we have - the support guy said 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Well why provide an update then!

[Geoff]

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,103535,00.asp

Next time you see a kid eating sweets be suspicious!

[ninjabeaver]

The ICT Co-ordinator told me earlier that he's ordered a electronic librarian system (thanks for the non-existant discussion mate lol) caled Eclipse - I'll start a new thread on this tho ppl so refer to that for comments about it) as we are losing our p/t librarian. He's only got this one as a school in a different county have it and he got a "spam" mentioning it.

I thought the idea of the ICT Deptartment and the techy side was to work together. I also understood the ICT Co-Ordinator was meant to organise the teaching side of things and not interfere with your job.

I've made sure the staff here now know that any software has to be passed by me first as I'm the poor sod installing it and not them. It's started to set in after I refused to install the software that the science department kept buying at over 600MB per program. That takes a while to install on 100 + machines in the IT Suites, let alone the class room PC's.

[StewartKnight]

We use Eclipse at my school and I was impressed. A complete backup of the database (books and fingerprints) on two floppies. I hope the people in charge of shafting us all with ID cards are taking note!


Stewart Knight
Network Manager
Appleby Grammar School

[tarquel]

The ICT Co-ordinator told me earlier that he's ordered a electronic librarian system (thanks for the non-existant discussion mate lol) caled Eclipse - I'll start a new thread on this tho ppl so refer to that for comments about it) as we are losing our p/t librarian. He's only got this one as a school in a different county have it and he got a "spam" mentioning it.

I thought the idea of the ICT Deptartment and the techy side was to work together. I also understood the ICT Co-Ordinator was meant to organise the teaching side of things and not interfere with your job.

Quite right but you haven't been here before lol It comes from me having been taught here many many moons ago I think and a proper assessment of the situation of IT here. Since working here sort of just after the school had 8 or so Win 3.11 PC's with a old Netware 3 FS (1 share for the lot), he's always been the management and Head of IT as such.

And he's the Deputy Head now these days and if you disagree with him, then its tough lol

I've made sure the staff here now know that any software has to be passed by me first as I'm the poor sod installing it and not them. It's started to set in after I refused to install the software that the science department kept buying at over 600MB per program. That takes a while to install on 100 + machines in the IT Suites, let alone the class room PC's.

Tell me about it lol I've been trying to make the point of telling most of the teachers each time they get something without asking me first. They've all stopped buying stuff now but the only trouble is that we have teachers leave and come each year - we had loads leave/come last year and we are only a small school of ~300 pupils & a small 6th Form.

Cheers,
N.

[ninjabeaver]

ROFL. Perhaps this is the problem. I'm working at my old school as well. Weird. I've one advantage in that the Headship Team do generally listen to me.

[tarquel]

You must have been a good pupil lol not that I wasn't but I did slack at school towards the end a bit - 6th form mainly - and up to just over a year ago, I was off work alot from IBS (docs wouldn't confirm it but I've had every test here imaginable - and believe me, some you DO NOT want to imagine lol) so maybe it sorta didn't help things.

You'd think how we generally save the school's money that we'd get a little appriciation, respect & authority for it but I guess its too much to ask lol

[forgive the moaning lol I'm so used to it it just flows out too easily lol You may not believe it but i'm pretty happy at the moment lol ...now where's my pay rise?? lol]

Cheers,
N.

[penguinpowered]

We use Eclipse here and it is a very good bit of software. Simple to use, pretty stable and has quite a few decent features. The library department think its great and I've had no problems using and (on occasion) administering/maintaing it.

I'd recommend it for use in a school library, especially if you are going to be having pupils use it (we have some of the kids act as 'librarians' at dinner times).