mb2k01

That is amazing!! I saw one of these while off with severe man-flu the other week! I had to check TV listings because I thought it was a joke! I REALLY can't imagine anyone being as thick as the people who are on that show! It's nothing at all like the original (which I can only just remember by the way! )

Not really what you asked, but the first thing I did when I became a Network Manager in charge of SIMS was...... To delegate it to the Assistant Network Manager! Nice little project for him to sink his teeth in to!

Hi Quackers, That's not my understanding of it. With Schools Agreement you have upgrade rights (as well as downgrade rights). As long as a client has a legal version of any Windows OS you can upgrade or downgrade as you please. I can't say that I've ever needed to upgrade from home, so don't know that what i've said is 100% correct, but I'd check with your Microsoft license partner. I think i'm correct though

Folder redirection is a useful feature which is often used within a domain enviroment via Group Policies. The administrator specifies a folder (shared on the network) where users who have the GPO applied to them will have their standard folders redirected to. You can redirect My Documents, App Data, Desktop and Start Menu with different paths

Zuma-ed, No. You're minunderstanding and using the word Firewall too much! (Google Firewall and then Group Policy or GPO and you'll start to understand the difference) What I mean is that although a teacher may well be able to download the exe and get it saved on to their computer, they still might not be able to install it. Depending on the intended use (or user) of the laptop, we will occasionally secure the laptop to make sure that the user can't make changes to the configuration / operating system etc via policies (not Firewalls... )

1) I twill differ for each network, but here, nothing can be installed. Existing addins could be enabled, but not installed specifically 2) You're misunderstanding the definition of Firewall's really. Again, teachers laptop restrictions will differ from school to school, but here they are either a) as secure as a network machine (i.e. they can't install anything) OR b) set up as a standalone laptop so that they can do what they want (but with a filtered wireless Internet Conenction) 3) RM schools would appreicate an MSI which has been tested on a CC3 or CC4 network as they tend to be a bit "special" sometimes! Other schools, like us, will just take any MSI and install it (either manually, via GPO or 3rd party application deployment tools) 4) .zip access will differ from school to school. Here teachers can extract them, but of course if there was an .exe or .msi inside of the zip file they still wouldn't be able to install it.

Thanks to all who replied between me finishing watching Liverpool and getting back to work this morning! Hugely appreciate the time you've spared to reply. Tom - Would it be worth holding off signing up to the evaluation with Claire until after 25th so that I can see the new reporting features? Also, if I did install the eval site-wide, and it became obvious it was something we couldn't live without, would it be possible to just change the key somewhere and carry on using the same installation?

Indeed! It was Tom that I made initial contact with after reading lost of his posts! No nasty suprises yet then! (And I hate hot drinks, so even the lack of that service doesn't worry me!)

Hi All, I've read some wonderful things about Smoothwall on this forum, and as a result of that, spoken with them and had a web demo of Network Guardian today. I've also planned a full-site evaluation before the end of the month....so all looking pretty good! But.... In an effort to gain as much info as possible and make a well-informed decision, I'd be keen to hear from anyone who has something negative to say about the product! (Surely there is something negative?!) Does anyone have anything negative to say about the product/company? Is there something that Network Guardian doesn't do as well as an alternative? Has anyone moved from Network Guardian and gone elsewhere? (If so, why?) Thanks will be issued to all!

Hi Chrisreed, You might not like my post... I spent litterally days trying to fix this issue and eventually found a page on the Adobe site which said they were aware of the problem (which is down to redirected appdata folder) which would hopefully be addressed in a future release. Unfortunately, it's not been addressed yet, and we're still downgrading clients to version 8! With that said, it was quite some time ago that I did my investigation. I'll be interested to know if you have more luck now!

Only SMT, Heads of Year and Department Heads are promised access to laptops. Every classroom has a dedicated network station (desktop) for teaching. For electronic registering, reliable access and minimal problems you can't go wrong with it really.

If there are componants that require installing locally, then it is unlikely (within a secure / managed network enviroement) that a teacher will be able to perform the install. They will be forced to ask someone from their IT support team to do it.

Hi Zuma-ed, If the products were just PowerPoint files then we would have no issue at all here (although other schools may vary). Where downloads would become an issue is if they are .exe .zip or .mp3 because of filtering rules we have set up (basically users are prevented from downloading those files under certain circumstances to ensure network security)

Hi reggiep, Sorry, my previous post was meant partly in jest. I'd love to (and my bank manager would love me to), but unfortunately I'm on a full time contract at the minute. If you want a personal recommendation for a company who would fit right in to what you're suggesting and continue to work with you, then Stone Computers would be who I'd choose. Stone have helped me out on a couple of other network projects by going in and doing the basic installations before I've turned up to customise further. They offer 5-yr on site warranties on their kit, and have fantastic kit! (No, I'm not getting paid for this glowing recommendation!) Contact Jamie Stewart at Stone on 01785 285648 - he will be able to give you straight answers to all you need

8-9K? I'll fly from Cornwall for that!

I'd be interested in knowing this too. Historically we've used Lasertech's recycling program, but have just been refused due to not ordering with them "recently enough"!! I don't rate their refil / compat toners - no end of problems with them despite all the assurances under the sun! I'm contemplating ordering a batch of originals from them just so they come and get my waste (as I've been having a lot of trouble finind a suitable, and free, alternative!)

I completely agree Webman. Nephilim, I'm sorry but arrogance (I’ve read all of yours posts in this thread) isn't the most suitable course of action when approaching this (or any other) issue. If you have read my previous posts you will see that a lot of Network Managers don't have the option to customise filtering to this degree. It is not incompetence at all, it is a lack of resources available to them. Those who do have the In life if you ask someone in a more informed position than you a question, and you get an answer (albeit one you don't like), you should generally believe that to be the truth and choose to explore alternatives if you are still not happy, not simply tell them they’re wrong. Undermining someone else’s position is completely unprofessional and shows a certain level of incompetence itself.

While I would not openly attack Sophos specifically (they have a fine product that is used worldwide without issue etc etc...) I can say I've experienced similar issues to you historically. The positive bit I can say is that Sophos support personnel bent over backwards to try and sort our issues out (which ranged from similar issues to you right down to the client software making workstations practically unusuable due to log on speeds etc!), but ultimately never got the issue resolved. For the last few years I've used Symantec Endpoint and have never had one virus infection (a handful being shown in the monitor along with reports of other issues which had been stopped by Endpoint) It is by far the best product I've used at work. (...Views and opions are my own, not of my employer etc!)

Hi nc-, The staffing situation you find yourself in is probably the results of the staff being there for so long that they were initially hired in the days where you didn't really need much more than an "I can do it" on your CV! Internal promotions probably got them to where they are now! From your description.... you're ready! You want to better yourself, realise that things aren't right at your current place, are studying to learn more and have shown a willingness to improve things at your current place above any beyond the terms of your current position! (All positives which a new employer would love!) If you're applying for a job and there hasn't been much information published in the advert about their system then yes, send an email or get on the phone and ask for more information. It doesn't have to be too detailed, just the stuff you'd need to know (RM or Vanilla, number of servers, number of technical staff, number of clients, MIS software, future developments etc) What you'll be asked will depend on the particular school. You'll find that some will jsut give you a traditional style sit down interview, whereas others will give you a written or practical test (but if you have passed those MCP's and have all of your experience you'll be fine!)

Hi RabbieBurns, Are you using Server 2003? It might be worth checking GPO's that might be applied higher up the tree to check they aren't set to conflict - I have come accross lots of instances where this happens (even though it shouldn't if you think about the usual rules) If it all looks like too much work and you already have redirected desktops/start menus then you could always make a work-around and place a shortcut to Internet Explorer in the redirected start menu and dektop folder so that all users pick that one up. Just set the properties in the shortcut to be something like "iexplore.exe" "http://whateversiteyouwant.com" that way when a user clicks on the shortcut to IE it takes them straight to the site you specified! (Although I have it working via GPO i still do it this way - so in the event of something not working I can easily switch the shortcut properties and force users to a "somethings not working" page on my Intranet)

This is a very old post, so it might not be of any interest any longer, but... A previous post about hiding addressed from the Global Address List will work, but if you have to do that for every member of staff it will 1) Take ages and 2) Stop staff from being able to pick up eachother! A better solution would be to sit at the Exchange Server, open System Manager and create two seperate mail storage groups - 1 for staff and 1 for students. On the properties of each group you will be able to specify which address list they can pick up. (Of course, if you only have the one "default address list" which contains everybody, you will have to make two for students and staff to be able to assign them, but with good AD management (or a quick session on ADModify) and some filtering rules it is fairly easy to do)

Inside the relevant application (e.g. Word), go to Tools > Options > Save > Then change the path where it says "Default File Location" That's how you do it, but if your asking for a permanent solution on a network client you might find it doesn't stay the next time you log on and you need to speak with your network administrator!

There's a fair chance that if you are in South England, that you will be in a similar sitation to me - i.e. on the SWGfL and using RM SafetyNet Plus. Unfortunately, that means you have the same limitations I currently do - i.e. have filtering on for all, or turn portions of it off for all (no group filtering available etc!) The school you described coming from will either have turned it off for all, been outside of that ISP or invested in third party software to allow internal customisation. I will your thread up with too much more conversation so that people keep contributing to it(!), but if you want to PM me about anything (maybe find out what i've looked at so far, get an indication of prices etc) then feel free.

Hi B_M, That scenario sounds very familiar! I'd guess that filtering is probably not at the top of your list after hearing all of that! Just one of many things on the "to do" list? Out of interest, what part of the UK (actually, I'm only assuming UK!) are you in? I might have missed it earlier in the thread but, what is your position at the school? Are you a Teacher of ICT or the Head of ICT? Does line management of the Network Manager fall to you?

Hi B_M, This is quite a long reply, and in some places quite critical of some of the elements of your posts, but I hope you are able to see it's meant to be a useful / alternate perspective of the situation which may help you.... I am curious. Have you sat down with your Network Manager and asked for a more in depth explanation? Has existing protocol been something that Leadership have discussed, or just something that has been inherited? The reason I ask is that your posts seem to heavily suggest you doubt the ability of the Network Manager in your new school, whereas in reality it could just be a case that your previous schools have discussed alternative filtering provisions, and your new school hasn't (which would be a Leadership issue not the Network Manager alone). So maybe your automatic assumption of your new colleague is a little unfair? In any case, I can see both sides of this situation - I’ve dealt with similar teacher requests for relaxed filtering (see *1), but I've also investigated strategic solutions which may offer improved modular filtering because I have been personally unhappy with existing provisions (see *2). *1 - The general perception I’ve had to overcome in the past is that the filtering system acts as a barrier between the teacher and their ability to deliver a quality lesson - which is a completely unacceptable claim! In all instances I’ve come across another solution was available, or the initial request was unstable in the first place (e.g. providing access to a YouTube video where unsuitable comments were seen under the video and links to suggested content were not acceptable!) *2 - I have been lucky (or unlucky!) enough to agree with you on a restrictive filtering solution, but also be in the position to change it! In my circumstances the restrictive solution was RM SafetyNet Plus. It does a good job, but isn't modular. There are many alternatives out there which can either sit on top of it, or be used in its place - but these all have cost implications (and a lot aren't minor cost implications either!) The solution I am likely to implement (unless something else comes along which I’ve not seen yet!) is Impero. I guess in summary I would advise sitting down with your Network Manager informally. Ask if anyone has explored alternatives before, and make him aware (if he isn't already) that decent alternatives exist. If he is happy to go off and research then leave him to it for you. If he isn't, or says he has and it was previously turned down, then discuss it with other department heads, and then Leadership - make them aware there are better alternatives, but that they will require an investment which in turn should improve teaching and learning + make network management easier.