Andie

Yes, the problem with Hector here was on XP SP3 machines, and all machines seemed affected. The Flash version that fixes the black box issue is 11.1.102.55 and above. The msi AD/GP install or manually installing Flash after exiting Hector will fix the Hector black box issue.

Thanks for your extensive test. I should have explained we couldn't even get it to show properly, let alone play it. All we got was a white screen with a tiny picture icon in top left. But the computer said Flash was installed with latest version. What version Flash did you have installed, and how is Flash deployed on your machines? I need to see if it matches our setup. As I said, it looked like our AD/GP install of Flash had worked, but I had to manually uninstall and reinstall on machines to get the .swf files to run.

Has anyone found a problem with deploying the latest Flash player msi through AD/GP? (Server 2003, XP SP3 clients) I deployed this by assigning it in the computer settings of GP. If I test the Flash version using the Adobe test page, it says the install is OK and the correct version number appears. However, when logged in as a user (not administrator), .swf files weren't playing in the IE 8 browser (I have checked multiple .swf files from multiple sites to check it isn't site related). I manually uninstalled Flash, manually ran the msi, and now .swf files are running in the browser for ordinary users too. Not sure if the AD/GP deployment is being affected by the Hector safety button or not? http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows/84205-flash-player-11-hector-2.html#post767932 But the msi install with GP runs before anyone is logged in or startup programs happen??? Would someone be able to test the following .swf link (Coin Game from Primary Resources site) on a similar setup while logged in as a user? movecoins[1].swf

After thinking all was well, I discovered machines that won't run .swf files in the browser of logged in users. Some machines did though. Checked Flash versions using the test page on the Adobe website, and all the same version of Flash installed. Hector running fine. Found .swf will run as administrator on affected machines. After tearing my hair out trying various things, I began to doubt the active directory/GP msi install had run properly. So I manually ran the msi on one machine, selected Remove from the installer, then closed Hector and manually ran the msi again. Installed fine. Logged out and back in as a user, and now the .swf files will run as the user. Tried this on several machines now, testing for the error then uninstalling and reinstalling manually. Fixed each time. Have checked my setup for the msi install through GP and I have done it correctly. Not sure whether this issue is still being affected by Hector or not??? Have started another thread about GP install of latest Flash just in case it isn't Hector's fault this time: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows/87251-flash-player-11-msi-install-through-gp-there-problem.html

I agree. Even I've stopped using LNM (the product) now!

We rescued the QCA ICT Scheme of Work from the Standards Site before it died. I know it's old hat, but our IT Co-ordinator still thinks is has some good stuff in it. May help. I've attached the pdf files in a zip file. I am hoping that, as have stated the source, this isn't going to break any copyright. (Mods - please remove if I'm wrong!)Standards Site ICT Scheme.zip

Just in case you haven't fixed it, this may help: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows/76031-weird-printer-mapping-issue.html

It is still happening. A different teacher in that classroom this morning, and when I went to check if everything was OK, she mentioned that the printer had printed out some work from 2010. It's that same print job, because she said it was about elephants and that is the job I raised this issue with. Very strange!

If you are equipping a Suite, have them hard wired in like the desktops and find a way to secure them to their positions. We don't have n standard wireless, so may be different now, but wireless just doesn't cope very well with 30 pupils all logging in at exactly the same time. We use mandatory profiles here, and a lot of time the laptop/wifi combo is too slow to load the profiles and goes to local profile. We have specially made laptop cabinets here which are bulit like furniture and won't restrict us to a specific model of laptop. I think some trolley type storage is custom made for a particular make and model of laptop?? As soon as you need to replace one, you are then in trouble. We purchased high end laptops (Toshiba Tecra) rather than cheaper models, and so far they are holding out well (about 18 months down the line), batteries included.

I can confirm that the latest msi is working through Group Policy/Active Directory fine. I have set it up in Computer Settings policy as an assigned application. It installs properly and Hector is now swimming freely again!

Definitely fixed, although you have to turn Hector off before you install the Flash update. I've just got a license to distribute Flash player for the school now, so have the latest msi downloaded yesterday. Double clicking the msi was failing to install with Hector running. I have just logged on as admin, exited Hector, run the msi, and it installed fine, restarted Hector and he is clear of the black box. I think he may have been the reason that a lot of the directly run Flash updates have been falling over. So there is still a slight issue of conflict there, depending how you do the install. I need to check the two test laptops that I put the msi on using Group policy, to see if they've installed properly, after the classes have vacated.

I think this issue may have been fixed. I have just installed Adobe Flash Player 11.1.102.55 direct from the Adobe website (so latest version). I've noticed that the last few updates have asked me to close Hector before they proceed. Anyway, went to the website just now, chose Run and the downloader/installer looked like it had failed, so i exited Hector and it sprang into life again and now Hector doesn't have a black box around him any more. I suspect the msi installer that I have just got licensed to use may be falling over due to Hector running. I suppose that won't be an issue when I use it through GPO though, as it will install the msi before the user logs in and Hector starts up. Off to test...

Text taken from advert: IT Systems Manager Reference: THW/11/006456/013 Salary Details: Grade 8 Points 21 to 24 Allowances: None Contract Type:Permanent Contract Term:Full time We are looking for an excellent IT Systems Manager to lead our IT team in support of teaching and learning and administration in our school. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has: • excellent knowledge of IT hardware & software, including experience of upgrades • experience of MS Server network management or similar • IT Help Desk experience • Experience of IT policies and best working practices • experience of MS Outlook internal email management or similar • Project management experience • experience of AV installations and maintenance • an interest in/experience of Virtual Learning Environments, Management Information Systems, Websites • experience of budget management • Excellent interpersonal skills https://www.hirewire.co.uk/TheDeepingsSchool/PE68NF/MS_JobDetails.aspx?JobId=30744 The Deepings School - A Business and Enterprise College

Yes, it's really annoying, as it's the home page across the school!! And I can't seem to do anything with the puzzle image, so thank goodness for the Google box in the toolbar.

Environment: Windows Server 2003 with XP Professional SP3 clients, Internet Explorer 8. I've attached a screenshot from the settings tab of a Group Policy Object. This issue has been driving me mad for ages. As you should see, on the first page of the screenshot, I have some settings that actually relate to the Site to Zone mapping for Internet Explorer. For some reason, the settings are listed under Extra Registry Settings. I have tried adding what I thought were the correct adm files to the policy, but no joy in getting a better display in settings. Have i got two similar adm files that are cancelling each other out??? Second page of attached screenshot show the adm files for IE that I have. Can anyone shed any light on what I need to do? It would be so much easier if the settings were displayed correctly, so i don't have to trawl through GP editor to find where I need to make changes. adm files issue GP 20111121.pdf

Spotted this in the local newspaper, and posting below is from newspaper web copy: Web Systems Technician Bourne Academy Headteacher: Mr L Reilly BSc MEd 11-19 Mixed NOR 1213 Web Systems Technician Salary negotiable according to experience Required from January 2012 Would you like to forward your career in one of the most successful secondary schools in the country? If you do, then this exceptional opportunity may be for you. We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, innovative, well qualified and committed Web Systems Technician to join our IT Support Department, full time for 37.5 hours per week. The successful applicant will help facilitate teaching, learning and administration in the school through the provision of 24/7 network services, IT maintenance and monitoring activities. You will also be responsible for developing and updating all web based systems for the school - with particular reference to website pages and the virtual learning environment (VLE). Bourne Academy is a popular and over-subscribed all ability school in South Lincolnshire, just 12 miles from Stamford on the A1 and 16 miles north of Peterborough, where there is a high-speed rail link to and from London (Kings Cross 45 minutes). This is an exciting opportunity for someone wishing to further their IT career. The successful candidate will have: * Relevant IT qualifications and IT experience; * Relevant in-service training ie: software applications, SIMS, VLE; * Proven ability in web design and development/authoring web-based systems; * Competent knowledge of web design (HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS); * Good working knowledge of: - Microsoft Windows desktop operating systems (XP Pro & 7 Pro); - Apple Mac OS X desktop operating systems (10.5 & 10.6); - Computer hardware eg: PC build, Mac build, set up peripherals; * Proven communication, organisation and interpersonal skills; * Initiative and able to work with autonomy as well as part of a team; * A levels or equivalent; * Ability to 'think outside the box'. Closing date for applications is noon Monday 21st November 2011. Interviews will be conducted week commencing Monday 28th November 2011. Bourne Academy - Vacancies

We're getting this too now, as I have just moved our network home page from Learning Alive to Google UK. I followed the help links on the Google site to see how to sort this, and, as I know it is most likely volume of traffic caused by pupils searching in bulk, looked for the contact us option. And guess what: I would have to create a google account to contact them!! What happened to being open and traceable??? I know it should go away, but it is a complete pain having to explain what is happening to each teacher who logs it as an issue.

I've found this pdf really useful, as I've had to learn AD/GP myself too. It is produced by the folk at 2Simple software, but would be equally applicable for other stuff, and goes into more detail than anything else I've ever seen that comes with educational software: http://support.2simpleweb.com/public/docs/networks/2Simple_GPO_installs.pdf I agree that some software can be installed just to a share on the server, and then you just create a shortcut to that to run the software. So you won't need to use GPO/msi for everything. If the school still has Viglen Classlink, does that mean they have relented and given you the administrator login?? We moved from that back in 2003 as it drove me nuts not being able to do anything useful without reference to Viglen.

Ooops! Sorry, posted this in a new thread instead of here. Link to new thread: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/e-safety/85256-parenting-digital-age-film.html

Have been sent a link to this short film by the Parent Zone staff. It is a new resource they have developed that can be used as an opener for an e-safety meeting with parents. Parenting In the Digital Age - YouTube The Parent Zone website has a little more info: The Parent Zone

We use VB Script for our printer mapping too. We have had various issues where one or two machines don't map. Are you getting a scripting error on screen when you log in? If you are, try and REM out the line thrown up by the error and see if the script will run then. It may be an issue with the driver not being pulled to those clients from the server. It's a while since I had to fix that one, but from memory I had to manually reinstall the driver on the server or update the driver on the server, and then the clients started to pull down the drivers. This is on Server 2003 and XP SP3 clients. I think the issue first popped up after installing SP3.

Yes, thanks for this article. Really useful.

Ah ha, so that's what it is! Thank you!

PRIMARY SCHOOL ICT NETWORK TECHNICIAN 37 hours per week To start in January 2012 Salary: Grade 6 Point 18 (£17161) Closing date: Monday 31st October 2011 Interview date: Monday 21st November 2011 Due to the continued growth and expansion of our primary ICT support business we are looking for an ICT Technician to join our dynamic team. You will receive excellent support and training. You must have: * Experience in windows based server systems. A thorough knowledge of how to manage a server and its clients * Network printer management * WIFI management and support * A good knowledge of how networks work from the switch to the server * A clean driving licence and own car In addition to your technical skills you will also be expected to have excellent people skills. You will be representing the school and working closely with senior management in many schools. You will be expected to communicate clearly and concisely. EPM - Educational Personnel Management St John's Church School

I have a pair of shoes and a pair of ankle boots that have lasted four years in almost constant use through autumn/winter, from Padders. I also like M&S footglove range, as some come up wide and I have small (size 4) fat feet! I'm fortunate, in that the Padders factory shop isn't very far away in Northants, so the boots only cost £14! Leather uppers and that much wear has to be good value. Padders shoes - the favourite choice for wide-fitting comfort footwear. I do wear skirts, but long length, and it's fun getting tangled in the hem when I'm crawling around under desks.... HSE please don't read!