steveg

We moved, and then moved back. There were no issues with speed, but we use a link on our intranet page to the espresso site, and this just doesn't work using auto login when using an ipad. You can deploy a shortcut to ipads for autologin, but cannot have an intranet link. Steve

I'm going to be using MDT to deploy windows 10 across the site. So far I have modified the install wim to remove unwanted apps (could automate this into the process in the future, but quicker to do it manually for now), and imported this to build a reference image, which includes office and all updates applied. I've just started importing apps to deploy when I push it out to clients, but am wondering if most of these would be better deployed to the reference image? We are a primary school, and essentially only have 2 builds - admin machines, and full curriculum machines with all the pupil software on. If I automate the build of a reference image with all the client software already on it, then this will surely deploy much quicker, and since it is automated, making a new build when the next version of windows 10 is released should take more than half a day or so? Is there an advantage to deploying the software during the client imaging that I have missed? Steve

Visual only is all we do. A server really isn't a portable appliance - how many years will it take for the kettle lead to be subject to the same level of wear as the power cable on a vacuum cleaner? Sometimes if we have planned downtime for something we will do a full test then, but we tend not to worry if it goes over a year between full tests. Steve

It has a Vesa 100 mount, which it looks like the stand it comes with uses. I've brought some NUC pc's from Verypc recently who have been very helpful and supply a mount that allows the stand to be used with the pc mounted to the side. Not sure if it will be compatible with that monitor, depends how exactly the current stand attaches, but I'm sure @VeryPC would be able to help. Steve

I've just done one using dbattach, and mine ended up in D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.SQL2014\MSSQL\Backup as a .bak file. Will obviously depend where you have sql installed to! Steve

5 minutes is about right for dbattach to backup sims unless you have a huge database. Mine is a couple of gig and takes a fair bit less than 5 minutes. It will create a zip file with the backup in when it is done. The Docstorage folder you are looking at doesn't have the database in, that is where all documents / templates etc are stored. I'm pretty sure the backups end up in the sql backups folder, wherever you have sql installed. Steve

Whatever you do don't move to the cloud version, it is beyond terrible!! We have fought on with it for a couple of years, but will finally be moving to Libresoft next week - we had a demo at Bett and it just worked, did everything we want and more and was so simple. Sorry doesn't help much with your current problem, but if it becomes an issue and forces you to move then look at others before going to micro librarian in the cloud. Steve

We are a primary school that was primarily Microsoft based many years ago, but now have a fairly even split of ipads and Windows based devices (laptops and desktops). I wouldn't rule out other platforms just because you have a windows network at the moment, they each have their positive and negative points. The ipads here are far easier to manage than the windows network, and are generally more reliable. On our next upgrade cycle I will seriously look at Chromebooks as well, they have the advantage of being easy to manage, cheap and reliable. With a lot of our software we use moving online, the operating system on the end user device is becoming less relevant. Exposing children to a wide range of devices and technology (while keeping it manageable for support staff) is the best approach. Especially for primary age children we have no idea what technology they will be using by the time they reach employment, so need to teach general skills on a wide range of technology. Steve

If you can identify the data subject then it still applies. If there is only 1 Ben in your department and you write emails about Ben, then he is easily identifiable and therefore you would have to. If it isn't possible to work out who it is then you wouldn't, but I cant imagine anyone would write emails about someone that the other person couldn't work out who they were talking about! Steve

Their right is to data about them. Their name on it's own is not data, but their name tied to anything else is data. Most of the emails which contain their name will have some data about them in some way, and they will therefore be entitled to them. Whilst you can redact other individuals names, it is best to provide as much context to the email as possible, although the advice we receive is it is better to over-redact something and then release more if it is queried, than to release something you shouldn't have. It is most likely going to be a manual process. In the first instance, I would go back to the subject and clarify their request, are there specific emails that they are hoping to see, maybe only ones sent by certain members of staff? We have also looked at changing our policies here, so emails are automatically deleted are a certain period of time for the vast majority of staff, the fewer emails there are, the quicker the job is! Steve

Thanks Colin, email sent! Steve

Currently looking at some new desktop pcs, and one option I am looking at is the intel NUC barebone pcs. They seem pretty good value, up until the point where I need to add a windows licence! Is there a cheap way of getting any windows licence for these? I know where are sellers on amazon etc that sell windows licence keys really cheap, but not sure on legalities of these and using / purchasing them in school. We have ees, so the licence can be any version of windows. Steve

Definitely virtualise it, if for no other reason than to make backups and restores much quicker. On the new server I'd install hyper-v, and put the SIMS and curriculum server (assuming this is a domain controller/ file / print server?) as 2 separate virtual machines. Allocate 8gb ram to the sims server, and 4 to the curriculum. Ideally you would want a bit more, and it's not expensive. I'd retire the oldest of the 2 current servers (save electricity), and set the other up as a hyper-v host. Run 1 virtual on there as a domain controller, and run DHCP across this and the curriculum server. If either host fails then you will still have basic network and internet access. If the main server fails, it should be a quick job to restore the 2 virtuals to the other hyper-v host. (assuming it has enough storage) Steve

They certainly look the same, and the 2 laptops are the same size. How much would it cost to send them? Thanks Steve

Do you happen to know if the hinges are the same as in an x121e? Thanks Steve

We recently moved to netsupport, and have enabled this feature. It will only be triggered if certain high priority keywords are typed, and at that point we want to know who was using the computer, as they have either broken the school rules, or we have a serious safeguarding concern. Despite all having individual accounts, our year 6's have started increasingly using someone elses account, when they leave the room for example. Whilst we continue to educate on the risks of leaving a computer unlocked it does happen, and being able to catch who is actually doing it will be very useful. Details of the use of this are shared in our acceptable use policy, which all users sign. Steve

I bank with Barclays, so buy their travel pack. This gives the same level of RAC cover that you get, and multi trip travel insurance for £10.50 per month, so slightly less than you pay for RAC alone. Steve

I have done this in a primary setting with VNC before, with the software set to allow view only on the teacher pc. Slightly trickier in a secondary environment, as you wouldn't want the pupil to be able to access any screen at any time, in case there is confidential work etc happening. VNC may still work, but not installed as a service, so the teacher could manually start it when the child is in the lesson, although I've never tried it like this. Steve

Have a look at Capita My account knowledgebase article KB400958 - it gives the recommended backup procedures for SIMS, which will also apply to FMS. Since virtualising our SIMS server years ago I haven't ever done a database restore, its much quicker and easier to just restore the whole server. Still do the backups just in case! - Obviously doesn't work if you share the sql server with other databases. Steve

I'm pretty sure, but may be wrong, but if you do the backup and restore from DBAttach then this sorts out the user issues - you don't need to restore the Master Database. Steve

I've got the amazon version of the G6 as a work phone, also got my dad and my daughter one too. Def worth going for over the non Amazon version, as it has twice the storage space. I've found the camera to be pretty good, and heard no complaints from my dad who takes a lot of pictures. They do occasionally reduce the price on it, think I paid £199, so whatever phone you go for may be worth waiting till black Friday? Steve

I guess it depends how many windows 95 and NT 4.0 machines you still have on the network? :-) With the folders I would move them all to a 'todelete' folder for a few months just to be sure they aren't being used. Steve

In-house has the big advantage that they can be ready almost instantly, ideal for new starters, lost badges and when Ofsted come and staff suddenly admit to having lost their badge 6 months ago! Would also say that we use Digital-id too for all of our supplies, and have been very impressed. Currently using a Smart 30 printer, doing around 100 badges a year. Steve

17 seconds in, must have asbestos fingers! Steve

I've always found Laptop Keyboard, Laptop Screens, Laptop Batteries, Laptop Power Supplies, UK Based, Two Year Warranty! very helpful when I've been after harder to find parts. Steve