witch Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 Don't really know where to put this, so.. further to my request for info on what hardware to buy (thanks for that, guys), I now want to know which user interface you would recommend. Not a vanilla system please - can't have one of those. Is it RM, Viglen, Schoolcare, or what? This lot are leaning towards RM, although the kit is very expensive. Would it be better to buy the kit from, say, Dell, and then get all the software and network gubbins from RM? Thoughts please!!
john Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 I would go for the MS Learning whatsit that we have a forum on here about, at least when you are in a postition in the future to go for a real system you can easily merge from to it from that kit.
CyberNerd Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 karoshi ? * PDC System * Server/Network Management * Shared Student and Staff Areas * Bulk User Creation * Wake on LAN * Windows/Linux Profile Management * Remote Server Management * Kixtart Logins * File Storage * Software Deployment for Windows Clients * Programs Area * Proxy System * Multimedia Storage and Access * Room Internet Banning * Room Booking * Help Centre/Asset Register * Website Cache * Internet Blocking * Internet Logging * Printer Management * Operating System Deployment/Ghosting * Web Server * VLE/Online Classroom * Home Access * WebMail * Online Library * Website * GroupWare * Backup Management * Media Studies Specialist Server * Server Monitoring System http://www.karoshi.org.uk/ did I mention it's free ?
webman Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 I'd go for RM CC3 - buy the hardware from wherever you please and get the Connect licences separately from RM.
GrumbleDook Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 @john Learning Network Manager? Possibly ... but as you can see from the fact that the forum is very quiet .. and not too many of us have got it fully running at our schools I would say that it is not right for schools at this time. A number of us did carefully look at it ... and whilst it is good ... and as it is free it could be very helpful ... but a vanilla system was just as good. RM CC3/CC4? Pretty much has it for me ... but just remember to get your hardware elsewhere.
john Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 @tony thats the one, i've got brain fade of late, too much computer work, 18 hour days at screens aint doing my brain or eyes any good. I will be honest I was going to implement the LNM at a couple of sites I do some work for but I decided I would just go standard vanilla 2003 and XP purely because I feel that I can do everythign I need to and want to myself rather than getting a box to do it for me, it also keeps the brain going.
ThatBoringBloke Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Ranger? Sits quite happily on top of a vanilla system.
meastaugh1 Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Not a vanilla system please - can't have one of those. Out of interest, why is this not an option?
uk101man Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Not School care. I use to be the ICT Manager for the Chesil Education Partnership and before I left I started to write an front end for AD. Give them a call they may be able to help, you will need to speak to Gary Fooks 01035 206130 If not I've finished my own version and maybe we could arrange something
plexer Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 When you say user interface do you mean what the students see or the admin side of things? If it's what the users see on their desktops then whats wrong with a vanilla setup? Ben
alan-d Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 I'd go for Ranger - as already stated - sits easily on a vanilla system, is not as expensive as some, is very easy to use, and is esy to remove if no longer needed. We had it for nearly 3 years to get us through and now use vanilla 2003.
witch Posted January 9, 2007 Author Posted January 9, 2007 I mean the admin side AND what the students see This is a first school and the powers that be want it to look very 'kiddy' friendly. I have explained how a vanilla would work but it has been decided that they don't want to go there. As I say, not my choice. Given the teachers preference for RM, I think I may end up with it, but thanks a lot for the confirmation that we should buy the kit elsewhere. I am going to look at the other options though Thanks again
plexer Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 The trouble with powers that be deciding that it has to be kiddy friendly is that this doesn't equip them for the real world when the corporate systems they are going to be using are not kiddy friendly. Showing them a desktop that is set by you with all the shortcuts they need is simple enough. Why not mock up some screenshots of the various systems including a bannana one just to demonstrate. Ben
webman Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 From a user's perspective, CC3 isn't all that different from a vanilla, only a different login screen is mandatory. There is optional utilities like a status screen and logoff button, and the RM Learning Resources that they can use if they want to.
witch Posted January 9, 2007 Author Posted January 9, 2007 plexer: not really a problem as these students are only 9 when they leave and they go on to middle and upper schools that do use the sort of systems they will see in the real world - but I think I will set up some sort of examples.
webman Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Kids adapt easily - I don't really think it matters what they use at school - they could come across anything in the world of work - Novell, Linux, Windows, Proprietary interface or whatever.
bossman Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Ranger is now the property of RM and i would suppose thet they will be creating a hybrid of the two poss CC4 not sure how long ranger will be supported for though but i would with experience of both vanilla and CC3 go for CC3 especially if you are on your own.
john Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 I mean the admin side AND what the students see This is a first school and the powers that be want it to look very 'kiddy' friendly. This kind of thing IE Powers that be saying we want kiddy friendly and the main XP looks busy, complex etc its just a load of tosh. Quite a few of these children will use a computer at home, now fine 3-6 years olds probably with help from mum / dad / bro / sis etc but what will they be used to seeing, yes a Start Menu with buttons all over it etc. and as they get older they will use it on there own and be fine. I have seen a number of schools now that have got a vanilla system that have customised the start menu so all it says is All Programs and Shut Down, thats it! Everything else is removed and gone so its possible, but I hate it. They also re-folder everything which I hate, so they have programs in folders saying Children and Teachers to keep them seperate but IMHO it makes it all such a mess, but can be done that way and I would find that very simple and easy and "cute" I suppose if thats what they wanted. So anyway to end my rant, what they are saying is a load of tosh! It is completly possible on a vanilla system to make it all cute, simple and touchey feeley.
webman Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 But don't forget that CC3 has more benefits apart from the perceived "nice interface".
witch Posted January 10, 2007 Author Posted January 10, 2007 What are the particular benefits then apart from the wayCC3 looks? Re:vanilla -there is an issue with build times as well, as the technician(me) only works 10 hours a week and so would have little time to look into and set up the system, as well as maintaining the school as it is. I havent ever done anything like that before and am not all that familiar with how to do it, so it would probably take me a lot longer than one of you! :oops:
meastaugh1 Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 If you don't have resourced to set it up, how about contracting out the inital setup of vanilla? Or as someone else suggested, LNM?
webman Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 Benefits for us using CC3: Remote access to home folders Web-based management of users, machines, printers and GPOs Print quotas Web-based resources area Very easy to lock down security (can't run EXEs, can't go to C drive etc) Easy to (re)build workstations onto the network (+ imaging)
Grommit Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 Benefits for us using CC3: Remote access to home folders Web-based management of users, machines, printers and GPOs Print quotas Web-based resources area Very easy to lock down security (can't run EXEs, can't go to C drive etc) Easy to (re)build workstations onto the network (+ imaging) Benifits of Ranger Remote access to home folders Web-based management of users, machines, printers and GPOs Print quotas Web-based resources area Very easy to lock down security (can't run EXEs, can't go to C drive etc) Easy to (re)build workstations onto the network (+ imaging) Plus easy to control, easy to take off, monitor all users logged on Aslo with Ranger you have a Vanilla XP network so therefore you aren't dumbing down your Skillset and only can get job with RM
john Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 Benefits for us using CC3: Remote access to home folders Web-based management of users, machines, printers and GPOs Print quotas Web-based resources area Very easy to lock down security (can't run EXEs, can't go to C drive etc) Easy to (re)build workstations onto the network (+ imaging) Benefits for using Vanilla and Net Support Manager / School (stolen your list design Craig ) Remote access to home folders Web-based management of users, machines, printers and GPOs Web-based resources area Very easy to lock down security (can't run EXEs, can't go to C drive etc) Easy to (re)build workstations onto the network (+ imaging) Creation of Test for students to do, show and manage / control screens to help and give attenetion to them Plus many many more things that I cannot remember I do admit that Print Quotas are not out of the box either but lets see what LongHorn server brings, if you don't ask and tell MS thats what you want it will never happen, and its more than just schools that want it as well, so it will come no doubt.
webman Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 Essentially a CC3 network is just vanilla with additional RM tools, just like Ranger and NSM. Neither does CC3 make you "dumb down" your skillset - you can dive into native 2K/2K3/XP whenever you like. I've seen a Ranger network and use one on a weekly basis and it doesn't work anywhere near as good as our CC3. Just an observation - perhaps not all Ranger networks are as bad. Oh, we can also allocate printers to workstations/locations (through the Management Console) without having to hack login scripts.
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