OverWorked

I agree with ICTNUT. Every PC I've bought in the past 2 years has no laptop or optical drives (I always specify that). I just make sure the machines are PXE bootable so I can use RIS to set the up. So far I haven't found a reason for installing floppy or optical drives in pupils' machines. They never use them anyway, just vandalise them! If they do want to access something from a CD, I copy it to a share and put a link on the start menu.

I'm a devotee of RIS, having given up on Ghost a long time ago. I use a CD-based RIS image with SP2 slipstreamed into it. Then I have several .sif file attached to that image that load different drivers for different models of PC. Whenever I buy some new PCs I copy the latest driver to the image and create a new .sif file. All my apps are installed via GP. I use OnDemand's Wininstall LE to create the .msi files for the app installations. I've only come across two apps that I can't create a .msi for. (Winintall LE used to be free, but I think they charge for it now). This works well for me. I re-install PCs every 12 months to clear out any malware that's been installed (how do you stop this? - subject of another future thread). I've recently had to buy PXE compatible card for about 20 machines that didn't have them, but it's been well worth the expense.

I did the Net+ recently to count towards the MCSA. It's a doddle for anyone who already works in networking. I used the Mike Meyers All-in-One book. It's good enough and covers all the things you probably won't see anymore, like older networking cables; but they're still needed for the exam.

-Frequently wears black clothing. - YES, I have no imagination when it comes to clothes. -Associates with other people that dress, act or speak eccentrically. YES, but they're LEA Schools ICT Support -Shows a declining interest in wholesome activities, such as: the Bible, prayer, church or sports. - YES, I've never liked sport. -Drinks alcohol. - DEFINITELY -Is suicidal and/or depressed. - If the Head has another meeting with an ICT supplier without inviting me... -Is excessively awake during the night. YES, I've often laid awake wondering why my DNS server is playing up. -Demands an unusual amount of privacy. - "Just F*** off. I'm busy". -Requests time alone and quietness. - In the pub de-stressing after work. -Disregards authority figures; teachers, priests, nuns and elders are but a few examples of this. - TEACHERS! - Need I say more? -Misbehaves at school. - A bit of web surfing perhaps. -Eats excessively or too little - I never get time for a proper lunch break. -Plays videos games that contains violence or role-playing nature. - Occasionally -Uses the internet excessively. - The amount of time I've spent staring at the MS knowledge base. -Expresses an interest in sex. - Just thinking about it. -Masturbates. - Doesn't everyone? What do you mean you don't? That's 15. I'm definitely one.

I've seen modern photocopiers that have an Ethernet port and can be used as a networked A3 laser printer. I suspect they could be used as scanners too. I bet they're pricey though. I think most organisations will hire them rather than buy them. Here's one, but it's probably a lot more than you need. http://www.digipro.co.uk/canon-products/photocopiers/black-white-copiers/canon-gp225/

@ Russ I'm going to make my case for a pay rise when I get back in September. (I get school holidays - another reason to stay). If I don't get anything by Christmas, I'll have to go. It's more a case of having to than wanting to. I just can't support a family on this for much longer.

I was a goth about 15 years ago. But, according to that I still am!

@ Dos_Box: Wow, I am impressed. As I said, I've only been doing IT properly as a career for three years. Before that, I had a mind-numbingly boring job in an office. I spent all my time banging out spreadsheets on a Win98 machine (I'd automated the process so much with macros I did't actually have much to do). I used it to teach myself visual basic, and play old text adventures downloaded from the net. During my time there I did an NVQ in multimedia and web site design, which got me interested in networking. One of the teachers there taught us the OSI 7-layer model, TCP/IP and all that. I think I was the only person in the room who really found it interesting. The rest were just interested in the multimedia stuff and surfing the web. I also taught myself for the A+ and Network+, but got ripped-off for £900 for a crap Wave A+ 'course'. I've always been sceptical about courses since then and have always self-studied. Now, I'm trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can. The best thing about working in a school is being in sole charge of the network, so it's a great learning enviroment. I just wish I had time to spend on the interesting projects instead of getting bogged down unjamming printers all the time.

You're right. I could earn more in the private sector (and probably will have to soon), but it wouldn't be the same. The best bit is being the one and only domain admin. I have total control over the domain, active directory and all that. That wouldn't happen in a big firm.

I agree that experience is much more important. I've only been doing IT 'properly' for about three years, and really needed the certs to improve my chances getting a better paid job. Very few job ads actually specify a cert, but it should help. I found that when I had the A+ a few years ago, it only impressed people who didn't know what it was. I wanted some certification to back up my skills, and put them on my CV. I've also learnt quite a bit of new stuff whilst studying. From reading your posts, Dos_Box, it seems that you've been in IT for quite a while, and probably don't need the certs like I do. I certainly wouldn't have the skills to set up a web site like this! I just wondered what everyone else had.

I just wanted to know what certification everyone else here's got? It doesn't get much mention. I'm working towards the MCSA, in the hope that it'll help me get a better paid job or at least increase my pay in the school (fat chance). I also like a challange. I passed the 70-290 (Server 2003 Environment) exam on Friday. (Just wanted to say that!) I only have one more to go (70-291) then I'll have the MCSA. I'm doing it all self-study, so it's slow going. I'll take me 12 months in total for the four exams. What's everyone else here got or is working on? Anything by other vendors?

I used to use a Sony AIT3 tape drive to backup the curriculum (teachers and pupils work) to, but the tapes weren't lasting long. At £35 each it was getting expensive. So I built myself a storage device out of a cheap workstation. Put in three 200GB SATA drives on Maxtor SATA controllers. Installed Server 2003 on it. This sounds similar to Dos_Box's system, but lower spec and cheaper. It's good enough for the moment. I can do three weeks on weekly full backups and daily incrementals at the moment. I'll add another drive, then I can use software RAID-5. I know software RAID is slow, but it's only a backup device, and isn't doing anything else. The only trouble is cooling, but then the server room is warm anyway. The case gets quite warm. I added a couple of fans to it and it's not so bad now. There's also the downside that it's in the server room. It really needs to be at the other end of the school in case of disaster. I'll sort this out eventually. I like the idea of external SATA II drives.

I'd agree with that. Windows Server 2003 with AD and a load of apps should be about 5GB tops.

Sorry, I hadn't read your question properly. You wanted to span the partition to the D: drive, increasing by 20GB. If you're using MS Server 2000 or 2003, you can't span the system or boot volumes. I'd still buy a new bigger drive and Ghost to that.

This is just a suggestion, but there's no harm in trying. Can you just use Ghost and copy the existing 20GB partition to a bigger drive? I've done this before with a 2000 Server C: drive with no problems. I'm assuming it's IDE. Use a workstation. Remove its existing drive. Fit the old server 20GB drive and a new bigger drive. (Same or different IDE channels - it doesn't matter) Boot from a ghost boot floppy. Ghost will be able to copy the drive and/or individual partitions to the new drive, increasing the sizes as you want. The real danger is making sure you get the old and new drives the right way round when using Ghost. That's how I'd do it anyway.

I'll second that - WOW! I've got a web site (nothing to do with main school job) that I manage. I'll be diving into CSS Zen Garden soon.

I've used Lanway for the past three years. They're very good, they can supply just about anything, build PCs to a spec, are very quick to deliver and very well priced. They're based in Lancashire, though I don't know what geographical area they cover. They also install cabling and set up netowrks for those starting from scratch. (No, I don't work for them. They're just a good supplier worth a mention). http://www.lanway.co.uk/

OK, point taken. I probably have it fairly easy as the usernames are given to me as a spreadsheet (created manually by a teacher). I'm also quite comfortable with Excel, which I admit, a lot of people aren't. (Comes from boring office jobs I had before entering IT properly). ... I can't believe I'm doing this. I don't work summer holidays. I'm sat at home supposedly studying for my MCSA whilst my family are out shopping. And all I'm doing is talking about work-related stuff. Ir's time to sign off.

I mentioned that I use CSVDE a while ago, and only one other person also uses it. I don't understand why it's so unpopular. I've found it quite easy to use. All the hard work is done in creating the Excel spreadsheet, which isn't that hard. Just use formulas to generate the usernames and distinguished names from the pupils real names. Then export as a CSV. All you need is one simple command:- CSVDE -i -f filename.csv Open up AD Users and computers. Check they're in the correct OU, and that the home folders and profile paths are correct. If not, it's easy to change them en masse in Server 2003. (It is much harder to do this in 2000 Server though, better to delete them, edit the spreadsheet, and do it again). The hard part was the first time I used it, working out the columns needed for the CSV. There, that's my 2p worth.

I'd love to install OpenOffice in the school, but probably won't be allowed due to the differences with MS, and the staff learning process. I might just install it alongside MS Office anyway and see if staff use it. If you shop around you can get MS Office 2003 Pro much cheaper. Our LEA Schools ICT Service charge £49 (they reckon this is good value), but Ramesys only charge £32 when I last looked (it may have gone down since then).

I'm in Unison. They seemed the obvious choice, as all the other technical (science, A/V) and admin staff were in it.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned CSVDE, it's included with Windows 2000 Server and Server 2003. It's what I use. The easiest way to get the hang of it is to use it to export your AD into a .csv file, then you can see the format required. Once the users are created, all I have to do is add them to groups. Server 2003 creates the home folders and profile folder with the correct NTFS permisions automatically. If anyone wants detailed info, just ask. But it will take me a while to create it.

I've joined EduGeek after reading the letter in PC Pro on Saturday. (I'm a subscriber). I read the first two paragraphs thinking that things in the private sector must be as bad as in school, then read the next sentence and laughed out loud. It's not often PC Pro is good for a laugh. You hit the nail right on the head. I've been here three years and am paid a pittance. A casual trawl of job adverts recently showed that I could increase my salary by at least £7,000 right now by getting a basic IT support job anywhere in the private sector. As soon as a get the MCSA (by Christmas, I think), I'm off. It's not just that. It's the treatment I get from some teachers. A few of them have even shouted at me in front of the kids, mainly because of their lack of undertanding, like Excel didn't do what they expected. I don't even have a budget, the Head manages it himself, and won't even tell me how much it is. This makes it impossible to plan large projects, like server upgrades, email servers, school website and the like. I work alone, supporting the school myself. I have no assistance. We don't even have an ICT co-ordinator, so all the staff access me directly, thinking they're the only ones who need help with their plans for ICT in lessons. I'm glad it's not just me who feels like this. I feel better now.