SteveB_NI

I have been given the task this week of recording serial numbers of over 150+ items of equipment which we are hoping to dispose of soon - this is all well, but all techy jobs at the mo are being directed to myself so I've no idea when to find time! Hard drive wise - I'm planning to remove the hard drives myself from each machine... not too sure what I plan to do with them yet, but may cut down the initial disposal costs. Should have been done years ago (I wasn't here!) before all this legislation really kicked in! Prob would have been left for years more if a new build wasn't on it's way.

I work for a different school - it's a partnership scheme with a local primary school. They don't have access to web hosting like we do at the Secondary level. I'd rather they hosted it themselves - it's easier in the long term if circumstances change.

Sorry forgot to mention, it is intended the school website will be used primarily for the school newsletter, and gallery photographs of events - this could mean quite a few visits at particular times of the year. Looking into web-mania now - do you not find the 12GB / month somewhat restrictive?

I've been asked to produce a website for a local school, which unfortunately does not have facilities for web hosting at present. Can anyone cast their eye over this idea please before I commit the school to buying it (I have not purchased hosting for many years and would hate to choose the wrong one and waste their already limited budget). Hosting: http://www.dream-hosting.co.uk/gold.php Gold Hosting Plan – Dream Hosting - £19.99 / yr 1. 1GB disk space 2. 25GB Bandwidth / Month 3. 7 MySQL databases (PHPMyAdmin) 4. Add on domain name allowance 5. Unlimited email account (@yourdomain.co.uk) 6. Web based website control panel 7. Unlimited sub domains 8. PHP & Perl support Domain name: £7.49 (2 Yr Min) (.co.uk address) or (.com) The website is going to be coded initially in static HTML with CSS styling, although it will progress to a full Content management system designed via PHP and MySQL in a short time. I'm concerned about the 25GB bandwidth / month - maybe doubling that to 50GB / month would be better (hosting package costs £39.99/yr). Thanks for any help, Steven

Related to time consuming tasks - how many of you manage printer credits for staff / pupils? Is this a time consuming task updating these credits available? I'm worried time involved doing this task may affect time spent elsewhere?

Alongside general hardware / software maintenance issues we always have to deal with, how much of your time is spent developing / performing other computer activities (e.g. training etc)? I enjoy the development side of things - I'm in the process of creating a website, I develop training materials (e.g. whiteboard use) for staff / pupils, and even host a few training sessions. I like to use PHP, and ideally would like to be developing inhouse solutions to aid bookings, helpdesk, equipment monitoring / inventory etc. - This is restricted here somewhat. Also What jobs do you have in the school apart from usual hardware / software support?

PC: Theme Park / Hospital Rollercoaster Tycoon Sim Tower / City Mega Drive: Premier Manager Streets of rage Tekken Playstation 1 and 2: Driver Colin McRae rally I want to play them now dammit!

I would do but I wanted to use it as a personal project of mine too - to allow me to develop my web coding skills - especially with regards to PHP and MySQL. I aim to make it as easily updatable as possible - but I understand flexibility is always going to be an issue.

Currently on my job list is to design / produce a website for a local primary school who we share links with. My plan is to make it fully PHP / MySQL based - thus removing the need for the staff to make any raw code adjustments as it will all be via the online Content Management System. I plan to allow them to enter details of school events, policies, clubs & societies etc - this reduces the burden on me but also complies with their desire for an ease-of-use site. The only problem is finding some time to do the coding work!

Currently on my job list is to design / produce a website for a local primary school who we share links with. My plan is to make it fully PHP / MySQL based - thus removing the need for the staff to make any raw code adjustments as it will all be via the online Content Management System. I plan to allow them to enter details of school events, policies, clubs & societies etc - this reduces the burden on me but also complies with their desire for an ease-of-use site. The only problem is finding some time to do the coding work!

I have 2 books on CSS which I was given as presents: 1. The CSS Anthology (101 Essential Tips, Tricks and Hacks) Link 2. Build your own website the right way using HTML and CSS. Link Both are from SitePoint- they include source code throughout the book & downloadable. I really love the writing style of these books & have quite a number in my collection - including PHP books & Web design appearance books. They also offer an opportunity to download sample chapters of the books before you buy. I taught myself CSS by taking myself down to the library of my old university - I would sit there, read through each chapter & type the code into my laptop (not using the downloadable code) - I learnt so much it's untrue. Still do it to this day - when I get a chance.... about to learn more advanced PHP & thinking about doing a good testing project.

Was this before or after you signed that contract? The only thing I would go back to BT for is to enjoy the opportunity of "free" wireless access in numerous places throughout town - cafe's etc. Even my other workplace is a BT Wireless open zone. I'm happy with Virgin Media believe it or not

"didnt get paid financially, but in kindness ; ) depending on who the person it is, depends what you want out of it." hehe!

I often get the office to pass calls through to my mobile / call me on my mobile then I contact them on landline ASAP as I'm usually out and about the school - not even I know where I'm going to end up. This only happens though when I anticipate an important call coming through - or someone coming to visit. I also give my mobile number of our field engineers which often come out to fix equipment / server issues - this is purely for convenience & I know they won't abuse it. As regards to the topic - I've fixed a number of teachers pcs in my own time (breaks / after school etc). The first one I fixed - just after I started here caused me to have to get stitches in my thumb after an incident with the casing!

I found this 3 pack of MS Optical mice from Dabs.com : http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=3MQ7 I plan to replace the mice in a few computer suites so we'll probably buy quite a few of these 3pks. I particularly like MS mice - so hopefully these will be ok

Anyone recommend good, preferably cheap optical mice? We bought a lot of these: http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=SB02621 but they have started to be returned to me due to the cursor not moving, not responding to clicks etc. I'm on the look out for good optical mice for the computer labs but nothing too fancy. The pupils here look after keyboards and mice exceptionally well so I'm not too concerned about them going walkies.

It may be better - but I'm gonna test a few laptops prior to booking them all out. Just incase it makes no difference

Also how do you all handle the "inconvenience" of essential maintenance? I booked a trolley of laptops out for maintenance on Friday & discovered that my problems with random disconnection affects all but 4 of the 20 laptops in that trolley. I need to re-image these 16 laptops but I have found the trolley is booked out pretty much solid for next few weeks - looks like I'm gonna have to rebuild 5 or so at a time & keep the others in service Or if I'm feeling nasty on Monday I may pick a day and cancel all bookings for that day.

hehe I took a drive around some back streets of Belfast the other day... & came across a similar sight. Long time since I've seen a burnt out car in Belfast!

Aha - thats all very well.... but what if it's the head that has got the laptop

Amazing pics! I have to confess though that when I clicked on the topic title I thought there was going to be pictures of a shuttle pc & components etc. Oh dear!

Sorry off topic but - Out of interest.... Someone in school till 10pm?! I thought our opening hours were bad! Is it a community school?

Woohoo - a good result! I phoned LapSafe again today, and they immediately took my details & said they would send a connector out to me free of charge - which will be with me ASAP. Very impressed with them - wonderful polite service. (How ironic in a bad experiences forum!)

A little update... Shortly after the call to the rude company, I contacted my friend who has an IT business who offers a repairs service. He agreed to do the work for us, and has already collected the laptop & looked into it. I didn't realise we could pick and choose who to ship out repairs to but thankfully we can! I would still like to replace it myself though - unfortunately however it may not be the board. The initial company phoned back later that day and stated they were experiencing difficulty in finding the parts required. Once I finally could get a word in I told them in no uncertain terms that I was not happy with their service and although we had used them in the past, we would look elsewhere in future. Not a big deal to them I guess, but it made me feel better! I'm hoping to get my friends company more involved in the school - for things like supplying us with toner, printers etc.

Out of interest trekmad - how much roughly did Lapsafe charge to come out & replace it? I've got the laptop trolley opened now thanks to your instructions - just gotta remove those bolts in silly positions after lunch!