Gardinho

We ran it on Windows here for years, and with the wonderful help of @danbuntu switched over to Ubuntu/Linux a few months ago. The best move we made. Benefits for Windows: More universal skill set for managing Windows Server Operating System. Benefits for Linux Free license RSync to alternate server for testing purposes Performance - designed for Linux Support - documentation is more widely spread across the Moodle forums Stability - Linux vs Windows??!!! Security - No viruses Updates can be carried out using github and takes 5 mins as opposed to long winded manual process I had limited to no experience of Linux when we changed over. I'll be the first to admit that I put it off for so long because I was scared to run such an integral part of the school's IT use on a Linux server without proper training. I didn't realise that managing a linux web server was actually easier than managing a Windows web server. You don't actually need to know that much if all it's going to operate is a single Moodle site. Plus the support on the Moodle forums for Linux is excellent. Our new Moodle server has not once fallen over since the day it went live, and users have given us great positive feedback on how much quicker it is now. If you must stay with Windows DO NOT USE Xampp if you have over 25 users or you will run into performance issues: https://docs.moodle.org/23/en/Xampp_Installer_FAQ Because of the load we were putting on our server the XAmpp server service used to crash all the time, which used to drive the users around the bend. For a man of your skills @localzuk, it's a no brainer IMO. I'll also reiterate that me and my colleague here were majorly pro Windows server for as many services as possible. This is where our skills lie. But having seen the difference in performance between the 2 different OS's it was well worth the effort to put it on Linux. Can you not bring it up on both in a test environment and have a look at whats involved?

It's not like you've been irresponsible @sonofsanta. You've got good bank for buck with the OPO! £300 is better than £600!

TBF @abillybob, you're in a different situation to the 3 of us. I'm getting married in August, The other 2 have got kids. I'm nearly 10 years older than you! You do right enjoying yourself at 21.

Well worth being in the doghouse for! I mowed the lawn on Sunday, cooked tea every night for the next couple of weeks, and cleaned the house top to bottom. I've been laying the foundations. I'm sure she can smell a rat!

Tough one. I'd still say new tech is the priority

We've all turned out to be right tight a***s!

I'm trying to motivate myself to do the 70-417 and upgrade to 2012.

No worries. Just don't blame me if it's carp! My OCD will come out when fitting the screen protector, that's for sure!

Actually, you're right. My mistake, standard is £6.99. I was tempted by express, but from what I've read online a lot of people are getting it quicker with standard delivery! Did you get a rear case for it?

Identical order to mine! Well, I got the standard shipping. Will be interesting to see the difference. Let us know how you get on with it @sonofsanta.

I bought one. Looking forward to it coming. I did wonder about the OnePlus 2, but there is so little info on it. I'll be amazed if it's readily available to buy by the end of the year, whatever the rumours are. Besides, the One will still be good spec in 12 months anyway.

Same here! Consider it a reward for clearing the card today

That is definitely reassuring @Garacesh, thank you. Easy decision in the end! As has been pointed out earlier by @sonofsanta, the HTC looks lovely, as do all flagship phones, just not enough to justify the extra cost IMO.

@sonofsanta I'm in the same boat. I'm committed to getting the OPO now though. Well, providing I can keep away from phone reviews for all other handsets between now and tomorrow at 8am!

I'll also add, from the research that I've carried out, it is definitely worth getting the stronger screen protector as the screen protrudes slightly, so any drop on the front it will likely shatter. I'll be getting this one from OP: https://oneplus.net/uk/oneplus-one-tempered-glass-screen-protector The other thing I've found out in the OPO forums is that the most popular and highly rated protective case is this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OSS12Z2/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1GA2AN4FKXWDVW2VZ590&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294

The biggest thing I would recommend is Pine Tar Soap. You can wash the beard thoroughly without stripping it of it's natural oils. It feels so much better than washing it with head shampoo. The smell is seriously manly too!

Thanks Garacesh. You're right about rooting, but there seems to be plenty of useful guides to root the OPO very easily. I'd be surprised if you could find a single member of Edugeek that didn't have the skills to do it! I'll be getting mine from OnePlus in tomorrows Tuesday sale.

I've gone the complete circle now. Having done as much research as I have over the last few weeks, I'm going to go for the OPO. I can no longer justify spending £500+ on a phone, for what I use it for. The difference in price between the 2 I was torn between is about £350, which is just way too big a factor. The build quality on the HTC is obviously premium, but that's not to say the build quality on the OPO is bad. I've read quite a lot of stuff about the customer support on the OPO being diabolical, but I think it's worth the risk. There are so many independent reviews that praise the phone and have it along side the other flagships. I too was originally worried about the size (5.5"), but having had a larger phone in my hand, I think once I'm used to it I'll never really miss the smaller screen of my iPhone 4. The other reason why I'm opting for OPO is I love the look of Cyanogen, and all the benefits that comes with it. I know there is obviously draw backs like there is with every UI, but it looks as close to stock Android that you're going to find. Plus rooting it doesn't void the warranty. The flexibility and control you get and how you can tweak everything down to the fine detail is just an IT nerd's dream. What it boiled down to for me was - Are the drawbacks enough to justify paying so much more money?? Most concerns on the reviews have been addressed with software updates, so for me the only thing I'm worried about is the customer service. The price alone makes it an easy decision for me.

I'd highly recommend this online store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BaldyBeardy Cheap, quick delivery, and personalised advice. Products are amazing too. See the reviews.

I wish I could thank the top comment @Joanne, and unthank the bottom comment

Thanks for commenting @Ant. Is there anything you don't like about the OPO? There has been plenty of time since the original release, so you'd hope many software bugs have been ironed out. I have no doubt that the HTC would be better, but how much better?? The reviews would suggest not all that much. Certainly not enough to justify the price difference. At the end of the day if I get the OPO then don't like it, I can still eBay it and take a relatively small hit on it. The extra £350 can go towards a new 75" TV, which will be my next purchase!

For the cost of the HTC, I could get a OnePlus for both me & my Mrs, with money left over to take her out for dinner! Is that better @sonofsanta

The feedback on here has generally been good for the OnePlus, which is where I do most of my research. Is the software not CyanogenMod? I'm not fully swayed one way or the other. Just playing Devils' Advocate. It's such a massive increase in price though! If it was £100 I wouldn't even think about it.

I agree with you there! And to be fair to her, she's as good as gold. She'd never tell me to not do something. But we do have 100 guests coming to the wedding and it's going to cost a fortune! When I look at the OnePlus & the HTC side-by-side: OnePlus 64GB - £235.99 (If I can get one) HTC One M9 32GB - £600ish I think the only thing the htc has over it is camera, and possibly the fact it plays .mkvs (but I'm sure there will be a format option if you copy something to the device and it cannot play the file). It's interesting that the one+ his been out a year and the new htc that isn't out yet has a similar spec. The price difference is the biggest factor for me when I look at it. The burning question ...... is the higher build quality on the HTC worth £365 more???

It won't take much to twist my arm!