Chris_

Doesn't have the same appeal in a girls school!

Don't quote me on this, but I believe the free version of Qlab will do MIDI show control and play a single stereo channel of audio. With regards to getting the pupils involved... if there were pupils wanting to get involved in the technical bits then that would be wonderful!

Good choice! We've got a Smartfade 1248. Quite a neat little desk with some useful features such as MIDI show control. I'm going to be looking at using Qlab to run all the sound cues, and send MIDI commands to the desk to advance lighting cues for our next school production

Sounds like the Kramer VP-211K would do what you're after. Connect the fixed PC and audio to one input, then when a teacher plugs their laptop in to the second VGA/audio input the switcher automatically switch outputs. VP-211K - Single Output - Kramer Electronics CPC: http://cpc.farnell.com/kramer/vp-211k/2x1-vga-xga-switch/dp/AV09477?CMP=CPC-PLA

Are you after a company to sell you some microphones, or a company to come in, setup and operate microphones for an event?

This is true. On the PCs we've bought from Stone/Viglen we've been able to request that they are loaded with Windows 7 or a blank HDD to save us that task.

We use Managed Hosting | Dedicated Servers & Cloud Hosting | UKFast for our school website. Not had any issues since moving to them from RM.

We've not had any issues building various different PCs on to our CC4 network with the standard RM build process. We've bought batches of PCs from Stone (Stone provide driver packs and support for RM CC networks), Viglen, and refurb HPs from @ICTDirect_Dave.

I don't think that's the cost is an issue for them!

I'd been looking at the Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio as a low cost feature packed vision mixing device, but the lack of physical controls was a the main drawback. This looks like a perfect device!

For controlling mainly dimmers and a few simple LED fixtures in a school I'd recommend something like the Zero88 Jester or ETC SmartFade. As much as I like using more advanced lighting control systems (Chamsys/Avo), in a school environment where it's to be used by staff/students, having a simple desk with physical faders would be the more user friendly. Like others have said, if you leave, will other people be able to pick up the surface/ipad and make lights happen!

We've got a mix of Casio projectors here that we've been installing over the last 3 years replacing old Epsons. Quite a lot of the XJ-M130's, a few XJ-M131's, a few of the new Core, and a XJ-M150. No issues with any of them so far.

Looks like OverClockers UK are selling one the same as that Norco one, pre-order only though https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk-professional-5-x-3.5-sata-hot-swap-into-3-x-5.25-drive-bays-oc-h500-sa-010-op.html

I expected you would have installed it already!

Hello! I was wondering if there was any software you could recommend that your maintenance teams use that enables users to submit maintenance requests, get allocated to the relevant member of the team and dealt with. The system that we currently use is awful, and was probably very outdated before we started using it. The support for it is also pretty much non-existent. I know that there are plenty of IT helpdesk based bits of software out there but I'm looking for something more geared towards site/building maintenance. And if there's a mobile app available for them then it would be a bonus as all our site team have smartphones. Thanks in advance!

We had a bunch of old PCs and some boxes of HDDs collected to be recycled. I'd be surprised if any of the HDDs still worked the way the collection driver tossed them in to crates!

Yes. We are using them.

You could try JPSL Technical Services. I've used them a few times and they're always very reasonable.

Have you looked at using the PaperCut Global Print Driver? I haven't used it but it sounds like what you're after: Global Print Driver

They've been mentioned in relation to digital signage, I assume they've been working ok: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/153552-small-windows-8-pc.html#post1316830 I looked in to using one for a HTPC but reviews said although they were fine for 1080p content, they would struggle with 4k, although I don't own a 4k TV or have any 4k content so it's a little irrelevant!

We use JPSL Technical Services to supply and install various AV equipment around our site.

From the HSE: You need to have two feet and one hand on a stepladder at all times when carrying out a task No, this isn’t true. When you need to have both hands free for a brief period to do a job using a stepladder (eg putting a box on a shelf, hanging wallpaper, installing a smoke detector on a ceiling) you need to maintain three points of contact at the working position. This is not just two feet and one hand, it can be two feet and your body (use your knees or chest to help with stability) supported by the stepladder. Ensure a handhold is available to steady yourself before and after. Source: Work at height Common work at height myths

Here are the adaptors that convert 802.3af POE to passive POE. Not sure where Meldrew got them for £4. Ubiquiti PoE Converter 802.3af 48V to 18V - Indoor | LinITX.com | Wireless and Networking

We were advised by our managed print provider to simply put them in the bin.

CPC. Get a trade account and there's no minimum order amount for free shipping. And next day shipping up to something like 7pm which is handy when you need that $something tomorrow!