steve

If you're using lesson register in SIMS, there is a nice new feature coming in the May release. Students on report cards are highlighted in registers and you can easily drill down to the report card and add comments

Per CPU is per physical CPU not per core. Prices I have (Pugh Nov 06): £114.4 for Standard SQL, plus £16 per CAL £740.8 for Standard SQL (1 CPU) So for a single CPU, if 40 or more CALs - licence per processor For 2 CPUs, if 85 or more CALs - licence per processor SQL CALs are extra under the schools agreement, not included in core CALs. For sims we are going the per processor route - 2 quad core, licence per processor for 150 users.

A schools agreement subscriber has core CALs as part of the deal. These include: Server Exchange Office SharePoint SMS http://www.microsoft.com/calsuites/core.mspx

I use zen for hosting our joomla website http://www.zen.co.uk/Hosting/Hosting.aspx The take PO's / cheques.

SOLUS isn't changing (yet), just the hosting - to increase bandwidth and availability. From what I've just read, it seams they are just making sure - some sites may not use a proxy.

Up to 77 now I will finish it!

Theres an enterprise version of Google Toolbar http://www.google.com/tools/toolbar/T4/enterprise/

I've been looking at FITS off and on for a couple of years, I'm still not convinced it won't cause more work than its worth. I don't want to create a paper chasing exercise, or a stick to beat ourselves with. It could be an area for development but doesn't describe what's happening now. @GrumbleDook: Thanks for reminding me about the ICT register, I'll have a look...

We are in the process of preparing to renew our ICT Mark. The ICT department have been completing the self-review framework and have passed on a few bits to me. Below are the questions I need to answer, anyone have any additional thoughts? 7b-2 Access - Technical Support Technical support is provided and managed effectively by specialist staff to support teachers and pupils and to minimise the disruption to learning caused by technical problems. Systems are in place to manage and monitor the performance of technical support. 7c-1 Management - Procurement ICT resources are procured following best practice guidelines. This is part of a systemtic approach to providing sustainable resources and services to meet the school's vision, in line with the school's current and future needs and to provide value for money. 7c-2 Management - Evaluation of ICT resources The outcomes of the systematic and widespread monitoring and evaluation of the ICT resources both within and beyond the school, underpin the ongoing procurement strategy. Thoughts, ideas, comparisons all welcome.

I found this software Me.Ri.Quota Not tried it myself though

Our school is open 51 weeks a year, with a public sports centre and creche. So the site is open 7am to 5pm virtually every workday. I've always had the schools master keys thankfully, otherwise as it would add hours to our workdays.Only senior teaching staff, IT support and premises staff have these keys. The only place I can't get in easily is the principals office and the finance office, which isn't a big deal. I did have the alarm codes but haven't needed to go in on a weekend for a couple of years - the wonders of VPN :-)

Good, but the best bit is looking at the related videos!

I went to a meeting about this recently at our LA. We are trying to stay away from it as much as possible. Propossed that the LA does all procurement and the supplier supports the equipment and internet access. My school is entitled to funding for 111 pupils, so managing these in-house would be a nightmare. Choosing the pupils is the only thing we hope to be left with, even this will cause some major issues.

The version we have (now 12 months old) just ran from the disc, so copied it to a folder and ran it from there.

Looks like the unions and government are talking about this Hopefully they'll not make a mess of it like the current job evaluations.

We have a recurring issue where every so often our OWA stops responding for no apparent reason. A reboot or diable / enable of the outward facing NIC cures it. Perhaps a similar issue?

Its amazing what I keep in our office :-)

One of these? See attached pick ..... If so drop me a PM

On version 2, 2.5 and 3 ActivVote is installed with ActivStudio.

ActivVote is installed as part of ActivStudio, no need for a seperate install. Other than the splash screen ActivVote looks and works pretty much the same.

I had a bad batch of TDK CD-R's once. Wrote a letter sendng a sample - got a new box in the post a few weeks later.

How many / what type of processors you going for Tony? After reading that SQL 2005 can be licenced per physical processor (regardless of the numbers of cores) I'm tempted to go with the following: 2x Quad Core Xeons 2.66Ghz X5355 8Gb Ram Running on W2K3 64-bit (I asked Capita and we can run 64-bit on the server)

Don't have a work one as I hate using laptops for long periods - its my big hands and those small keyboards. I do own a laptop, but it only goes on my travels.

They were a monopoly when i grew up with only BBC1, BB2 and ITV available.

From a recent meeting with the LA, a school can choose and learning platform they like - as long as they purchase in the appropriate way. LA's have been advised to lead on the purchase of learing platforms to realise the collaberative benifits of the systems. To get a prefered supplier the LA has 2 options - a mini tender of the approved BECTA suppliers, or a full eu invitation to tender of anyone interested in supplying (due to size of purchase). Most are opting for a mini tender - sending a statement of requirements, shortlisting 2 or 3 for a more detailed look, then a recomendation. Our LA, and many others, are holding onto the grant earmarked for the learning platforms. If you purchase their recommended solution you'll get the money if you go elsewhere you get nothing.