R-O-B

We had a similar problem on our CC3 network. Machines were logging users off and they were losing unsaved work. I had a look at the event logs and founs it was the Netop helper service initiating the log off. This service is used by an old version of RM Tutor and other remote control software. RM aid that due to a security hole students were able to run Tutor a as teacher and control other machines. As we don't use Tutor we un installed it everywhere and removed the package from the server. Found out after we removed Tutor that a switch had crashed and was sending loads of garbled tcp/ip packets which may have caused the problem(long shot I know!). Either way swithc was replaced and not had any problems since.

We are considering getting Bromcom at our place solely for eRegistration. At the moment we use Sims.net for everything else but no teaching staff have access to it. SMT have expressed a preference for using the registration module for Sims which would be cheaper. However I think it will create a lot more work in installing and troubleshooting Sims on 65+ teachers laptops and they will panic when the monthly update runs even though they have been told to expect it. I have also been told that accessing the Sims database puts more traffic on the network than the Bromcom method. This is relevant to us as it will mostly be carried out over the wireless network. The plan is to have all staff accessing bromcom via the web interface to cut down on troubleshooting, software installation and updating on the clients machines. Is anyone else using the bromcom web interface? Any thoughts on my idea or alternative solutions welcome.

We've had Securus for several years and.. Yes the console is a bit amateurish, looks like it was designed in frontpage It's not the most intuitive but we've never had any problems with it's functionality. The price is worth it IMHO, we have lot's of situations where students are using computers without supervision and although it isn't fool proof it provides an extra layer of protection. Once a few students have been dragged in to see the head of ICT for a roasting at the beginning of term the word gets round and the number of violations drops right off.

I'm really surprised to hear that others have been having problems with the software. We run it on CC3 and vanilla XP workstations and have never had any problems. The HD redundancy thing is a bit lame but as it isn't 'mission critical' we don't worry about it. As HDs are so cheap these days they will maybe change that soon. As for the upgrades I'm pretty sure the latest version of the client software updates itself now. Now that Macs are using intel processors they are considering producing a Mac version of the client as well!!

!!Securus Rocks!! We have it and it's great. It costs about £700 a year but is great. It has highlighted kids listening to music, what they are looking at on web, various Blogs about school life including racist remarks about staff and using word to chat with the person next to them in ICT lessons. It makes for great reading and is the highlight of our week. We check the violations once a week and they are great evidence if we need a change in policy to make our lives easier.