TimeTabler and SIMS

[Sarconia]

I'm actually rather intreguied about TimeTabler now and am I wondering if it would be fairly easy to pick up and use? I understand the principles of Timetabling and how everything works and am competent when it comes to using and supporting Nova T6.

 

Maintenance datasets in my book are usually a big "no! don't go there" as unless you know fully what you're doing (which I've got to say, I don't actually know anyone who does and I'm even a bit confused myself) then they are generally the easiest way to mess up your timetable from my experience. Schools who use this function end up giving me a headache as soon as they say the words Nova and maintenance in the same sentence virtually every time they pick up the phone.

 

Independent Schools do have slightly different requirements when it comes to creating a timetable, however I note on Keith's website for Timetabler that many Independent Schools all across the world have used it already, one of the most recent comments is from King Henry VIII school in Coventry (another Independent with secondary + college age students) - it may be worth trying to have a chat with the timetabler there.

[Keith-Johnson]

Sarconia

There is a PDF of a step-by-step Tutorial Booklet, which takes you through the main features (only) of TimeTabler.

 

Moving from one program to another always seems strange [just as moving from PaintShopPro to Photoshop seems odd, and vice-versa; or Quark Xpress to Adobe Indesign, or vice-versa]

...but there are materials to help new Users,

...including HelpMovies [video tutorials] and articles in the KnowledgeBase in the 24/7 Support Centre. And of course there is the HelpLine.

Edited May 5, 2010 by vikpaw

[Sivadam]

..... Maintenance datasets in my book are usually a big "no! don't go there" as unless you know fully what you're doing (which I've got to say, I don't actually know anyone who does and I'm even a bit confused myself) then they are generally the easiest way to mess up your timetable.....

 

I do use ‘em, Sarconia!

In the first 8 days of the Summer Term I had 4 different Timetables kicking in on different days, all sent to SQL before Easter. Some had the Year End as the end date but some had earlier end dates. You cannot do this effectively without using Maintenance Datasets in NovaT6!

[Sarconia]

I do use ‘em, Sarconia!

In the first 8 days of the Summer Term I had 4 different Timetables kicking in on different days, all sent to SQL before Easter. Some had the Year End as the end date but some had earlier end dates. You cannot do this effectively without using Maintenance Datasets in NovaT6!

 

That sounds like absolute insanity to me! Then again, am I correct in assuming that you're only dealing with the school who you work for? that and you're also extremely competent when it comes to Nova!

 

I'd say it's perfectly viable in that situation as you'd know your school's timetable inside out, for me though, where I'm supporting loads of different schools all with completely different timetable structures and not all of the timetablers/data managers necessarily have a clue, I dont have the same level of understanding of each schools timetable so if they're using maintenance datasets - it really does result in quite a headache for me trying to figure it all out!

[Sivadam]

Yep! It is my Timetable.

And I do know it quite well! It has to be edited as and when necessary and happens very regularly here. And, after all, the Timetable drives the whole of the MIS. If it ain't 100% correct, all of the time, then the rest of the system simply cannot work efficiently!

 

Dealing with all those Temporal Locks for a host of schools with Timetablers that do not understand must be a real nightmare!

You have my sympathy!

 

I actually lost some of my changes when I deleted some of the Locks in one of the Datasets I refer to above. But, as they always say, 'It wern't my fault, gov!'. The department head had given me bum info re. the dates of a rotation! So I have had to correct it again this week!

Edited May 5, 2010 by Sivadam

[Sivadam]

By the way, Sarconia, I clicked on your name to look at your Profile and could see one of your Inbox Messages - surely that is not how it should work!

Maybe your settings need to be edited?

Edited May 5, 2010 by Sivadam

[Sarconia]

Uh-Oh, that's not how it should work!

 

I've not really fiddled with my settings since I've got here but I certainly will now Thanks for the heads up.

[Sivadam]

I think that all the Settings must have been re-set when the site was changed.

 

Mine were all fully public until I changed them today after viewing your Profile. I am certain that some of these were Private before the site was changed.

 

If the settings were globally changed then I think that the site has a lot to answer for!

 

I have quite a number of messages in my Inbox that could have been accessed before I just changed the settings. I assume that they are not visible now!? If they still are then c'est la vie! Hopefully nobody's feelings will be hurt too much!

Edited May 5, 2010 by Sivadam

[kesomir]

Mine were all set to Everyone as well.

[vikpaw]

By the way, Sarconia, I clicked on your name to look at your Profile and could see one of your Inbox Messages - surely that is not how it should work!

 

I have quite a number of messages in my Inbox that could have been accessed before I just changed the settings. I assume that they are not visible now!? If they still are then c'est la vie! Hopefully nobody's feelings will be hurt too much!

 

Do you mean inbox as in 'private messages' as opposed to visitor messages? What have you set the visitor messages permission to? If it's a big issue, it will need to be reported in site faults forum, so the webmaster can take a look.