simpsonj

Played the FFVII Remake demo and loved it. summed it up nicely when he said you can feel the love as they crafted this game. Great graphics, voice acting, interesting tweaks to the story line, and the music, the music is perfect. Yes, the combat isn't perfect, but neither was it in the original. It is much quicker to blast through the grunts though, and the boss battle was much improved over the original game. It seems to be taking some elements of FF13 and FF15, and I see some potential there for a good combat system.

Thanks for that, stored under in a wiki just in case! Do you know which update was the culprit?

I couldn't get Scratch to work direct from a network share, so I used a method similar to @FudgeyBear, and used a script to copy the files onto the local drive, seems to work fine. 1, Download Scratch 2, Unzip the .exe file 3, From the $PLUGINSDIR, unzip the app-32.7z file 4, Copy the contents of the app-32 file into a shared network folder 5, Create a script Robocopy /copyall /s /e "\\SERVER\NETWORKSHARE\Scratch3.6" "C:\Program Files\Scratch3.6" 6, Create a GPO to create the folder Scratch3.6 in C:\Program Files\ 7, Create a GPO and assign the start up script created in step 5 That should do the trick!

I couldn't get Scratch to work direct from a network share, so I used a method similar to @FudgeyBear, and used a script to copy the files onto the local drive, seems to work fine. 1, Download Scratch 2, Unzip the .exe file 3, From the $PLUGINSDIR, unzip the app-32.7z file 4, Copy the contents of the app-32 file into a shared network folder 5, Create a script Robocopy /copyall /s /e "\\SERVER\NETWORKSHARE\Scratch3.6" "C:\Program Files\Scratch3.6" 6, Create a GPO to create the folder Scratch3.6 in C:\Program Files\ 7, Create a GPO and assign the start up script created in step 5 That should do the trick!

Actually much prefer version 10 over version 7... Used to have issues connecting to all the PCs in a classroom with 7, with one or two different ones dropping off and coming back over the course of a day. Version 10 has been absolutely solid in that regard. But then we don't use it extensively here...

This is an opportunity to gain a Level 4 Network Engineering Qualification (CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Server+ and CompTIA Security+) whilst working in a positive, friendly secondary school. Full details of the role and how to apply can be found here: https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?t=network+engineer+apprenticeship+level+4&jk=98b6626b2f77143d&_ga=2.67965458.2074352355.1576486620-1088215669.1564588722 PM me with any questions!

Another troubleshooting tip, make sure the SMART Service is running, a few times I've installed the drivers, nothing has worked, and it's because that service no longer seems to run automatically.

So we won't be able to activate any new installations after July 1st. Super. I guess best bet is to try the free SMART Notebook 19 on the various (really old) models of board across the school, and then plan to replace those it won't work with. Out of interest, I presume this is just for the SMART Notebook software, not necessarily the drivers? Most staff here seem to use Powerpoint rather than SMART Notebook itself.

Necro thread raising again... Just in case anyone else has this issue, I found the easiest solution was to add file://* to the Allow access to a list of URLs (Admin Templates/Google/Google Chrome GPO).

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think students are allowed to see a countdown of time remaining in exams: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/how-do-you-do/212529-alternative-laptop-clocks-exams-3.html

On our dell's the switch is disabled in BIOS where possible, uninstalled in device manager where not. The above prevents airplane mode being turned on via the WiFi icon, either on the logon screen, or when logged on. Ideally I would prevent WiFi being turned off at all, but as a workaround I've disabled students from having access to Network Icon in the System Tray, and the Notifications and Action Center. Fingers crossed it cuts down on the number of 'this laptop is broken' complaints!

Apologies for the necro thread raising, but after an hour or so of head desk dealing with a 0x80070005 error message, I finally found the solution. Using either Server 2016/2019 or RSAT on Windows 10, Create a GPO in Computer Configuration - Windows Settings - Security Settings - System Services and change the Radio Management Service from there, instead of using GPP. Now to find a way of disabling clicking the WiFi button and turning WiFi off that way...

I think, and I may be wrong, but the way I was testing it was to: Open EWP - Click New - Enter all the exam details - Then click print Of course, having a blank / test EWP file would help, but then it's: Open EWP - Open Test file - Test print - Close Test File - Open New File As others have stated, it's a great product, so thank you! This is very much a minor issue!

I have found a much higher success rate if I copy the link to the PC and reference that instead. For example, I have a GPO that creates C:\Shortcuts. Then I have another GPO that creates shortcuts into that folder, which I then put into the xml file. Why this works better than network shares, I couldn't tell you, but I nicked the idea of off someone from Edugeek and it has worked for me. That said, I haven't tried it with URLs...

Ah, yes, the Lenovo T450 doesn't have a DVD drive. We bought in USB DVD Drives for those that needed them and attached them to the dock. At my school, staff love having a laptop. They make meetings, both internal, external and with parents, much easier. Training is easier as everyone can bring their laptop to the training and either make notes, or carry out guided tutorials there and then, rather than waiting until they get to the classroom. It enables staff to work from home, especially for those that don't have their own PC, or where it is impractical (family PC etc). I get why, from an IT standpoint, laptops for staff aren't an attractive prospect. Desktops are a simpler solution to manage, far less likely to be damaged, and cheaper to repair/upgrade. But I would argue that a teacher's IT needs aren't just based in the classroom, and having access to lesson plans, meeting notes, emails etc from anywhere in the school is very useful. Therefore, from a teaching and learning point of view, I think laptops are the better bet.* *As long as they are fully supported financially and the drawbacks are made clear and mitigated, wherever possible, right from the start.

Sorry, one last thing, ensure you include the cost of laptop bags as well (around £10-15 per laptop).

Oh, and make sure that you have a budget for replacement laptops, laptops for new members of staff that have just joined or interns etc

From my experience, I would recommend: 1, Buying laptops that have docking stations 2, Check that the docking station has the same connections as the classroom (VGA/HDMI etc) 3, Ensure that you have power adapters for each laptop, each docking station and a few spares 4, Buy batteries at the same time, as these are often the first thing to go 5, Buy a few spare laptops as well 5, Ensure that you have a renewal cycle to replace the laptops after 3-5 years We use refurbished Lenovo T450s, coming in at around £250 from BIST plus a docking station (£42, with charger) from Just Laptops, who are excellent at finding the right model docking station for your needs! This is the third round of staff laptops over 9 years, and we wouldn't go back to desktops. Staff find it so useful to be using the same machine at home as they do in school, and can ensure all the prep work is done in advance. Staff do forget power leads, though this is less of an issue if the docking station is in place. Laptops have been damaged over the years, but nothing that can't be mitigated. As long as your leadership team understand the complete cost (I.E it's not just buying laptops for staff once, but every 3 years, and the need for spares) then it can be successful. Finally, I would recommend that IT staff have the same make and model as it helps troubleshoot issues, especially if you run into them first!

Neverware?

Veyon, previously iTalc, might be able to do this for you, or at least, start the installer off, taking some of the pain away. If the software is on Ninite that can make life easier too, at least to install the software. Otherwise you're looking at scripting/powershell if you don't want a server involved.

From a gaming point of view, he might like Outer Worlds, very Sci-Fi... Or signed book? That said, not sure they would arrive before Christmas now...

Did anyone find a solution to the synonym issue? If not, how would I deploy ExamWritePad, or is the best method to run it from the server?

As you mentioned he likes The Grateful Dead (as does my dad) has he seen the Long Strange Trip. It's included with Amazon prime, but I've linked to the DVD/Blu-Ray if you wanted a stocking filler!

To potentially save a bit of money, have they tried the dictation / reading aloud that's inbuilt into Office 2019? I believe Google also has an equivalent in G-Suite.

Give Millgate a shout, they can usually find spares for my laptops!