apoth0r

I'll kick things off by telling you guys what I'm upto at the moment with regards to my course with Advent Training. After being suckered in by the salesperson I started the CompTIA A+ about 2 years ago and quickly lost interest, having gone to one of the workshops they arrange for you I had a new revitilisation for getting through the certs. Passed my essentials and Technicians exams with relative ease and have now moved on the the MCDST stuff, which is a little like the A+ but alot better and a little more involving, having worked in the industry for 6 years in various roles I kind of find them mundane but at the same time I do learn little things that have certainly helped me recently. My plan is to get to at least "IT Professional" Standard by the end of the year and hopefully have my MCSE by the year after that. I'm studying the 2003 programme but it's all relative, and resonably easy to upgrade through your own learning, which i plan on doing! Anyway what you lot doing??

I use Symantec also, fine piece of kit. Think there is a 10 station ghostcast type trial that you can download, well worth a go as it makes life exceedingly simple. Although remember McAfee doesn't like the ghostcast server by default

I don't even get angry about those kinds of posts anymore, my girlfriend is a primary school teacher and I have the upmost respect for her profession and what she does. I think it's a shame that some people have to be outspoken and look for fights with other members of staff who just wish to bring their skills to the table. I don't think I have ever really met anyone like that idiot in all the schools I have worked at, which is a significant number having consulted in Nottingham for a couple of years. Let us all pat him on the back, say "chin up and all the best" while we strive for I.T perfection

Disenchanted by the very few idiots in the profession, extremist views, overconfidence in their own ability, defensive nature created by unions and a general lack of forum etiquette.

Awesome work chap, been looking for something similar for ages, didnt want to sign up to it if i didnt need it but having a play might just encourage me to! Muchos gracias!

What's the added for 17" monitor/keyboard/mouse?

Will let you know closer to the time, I'm sure you will have an alternative when funds available

How long are you going to have these on offer for / how many do you have at this price? I might be looking for a similar solution in the future as a SBS. Thanks

Just beat me to it Edu-IT, have a thanks for your ninja like speed!

Vote me as president of the world and all I.T techs get a free pizza lunch (or anything else you fancy!) Yes, I know how it is!

Hi guys, I've just updated our too drab looking moodle theme using the 'Clouds - by Julian Ridden'. You can see an example of it here - Welcome to the Unity College VLE If you are playing with themes for your schools why not post here to let others see how you are making your Moodle more visually appealing for your students. Thanks Steve

That Gordon Ramsey show in the U.S is absolutely brilliant, if taken very very unseriously :-) Spent many a Friday night with the missus laughing at that show, I nearly said rolling on the floor but that's after.....

Have you applied yet mate?

Well if it's a primary school attempt then i'd definately start out with the basics of HTML. A bit of searching and theres plenty of tutorials you can use designed for the teaching of HTML with children. It's about getting the first bits in and then just letting them play with the tags to make things look different. It's great when you start seeing their personalities through their work, I wish I had more time when I taught, really was good fun and very very rewarding as they continually built on their experiences and even did a bit of troubleshooting for one another!

Already have mate!

Wondered why I couldn't get Simon on the phone yesterday, he's bloody there! Leaving his customers to fend for themselves, *humph* Hope you're all having a good time, will try and come to one event soon! Need to become more organised me thinks!

Clan Stealth babeh!

I work full time also and my business involves a full service. I work with the head to come up with an action plan, see what they have already in place, where they would like to improve and what would be a sensible and realistic achievement for that school year. Sometime it moves fast, sometimes it moves slow. Like many top dogs on here have said in the past, theres more to tech support/consultancy in schools then just knowing the I.T side of things. Having taught ICT for 2 years in primary schools I know far too well the problems that come with pushing technology into schools. It's not about pushing it's about finding a need and generating a positive attitude towards technology, you can setup as many PC's / Laptops / Gig networks / whiteboards / projectors / spotless servers. If the teachers aren't on board it won't benefit anyone. Generating the motivation for technology is my job and by giving good examples of how it can benefit is the reason I do this. I can't make people use technology in schools but I can certainly generate enough interest for people to give it a really good go! On a side note - I do charge businesses a lot more for my services, but my passion remains in education and I want schools to see this in my fee's.

Come into work! 1) I don't get pissed off or frustrated by trying to do some work at home with all my gadget distractions! 2) I get some work done! 3) I can listen to spotify all day! 4) Edugeek if im feeling particularly hilarious today! (I'm in a good mood, wh00p wh00p!) :D

No more gaming!!! You need some nostalgic q2, let me fire up the 33.6k modem and kick y0 ass like the good old days!

I charge £15 an hour depending on the schools circumstances and my travelling expenses. My services are not below standard, I just believe in value for money and believe schools should not have their resources taken away from them.

Well that's my point, it shouldn't be the case!!!! I'm just trying to promote a case for the rediculous prices consultants ask for. I'm trying to create change in Northants primaries, fed up of their small budgets being wasted when there is potential for awesome equipment instead!

Yes I know most of you are in-house staff but for the few that do outsource certain tasks what are you being charged, and does it reflect the quality of the service. Do the companies you use take into account the educational differences from business and are you given generic solutions for a specific problem? Thanks in advance

I'm hitting the boring bits at the moment 20-271 Yawnnnnnn

Congrats mate, hope you have a well earned break from the books for a bit! (So I can catch up!!!! MUAHAHAHHAHAA )