michael2k6

Sounds like you've already made the decision, as has been said I think it's probably just another string to your bow. Something else to do is look at these courses part time and see how much they'd cost... I was looking at similar things, and finding things part time to suit anywhere near me was a massive issue - if i'm out of work and looking to get back into it, there are plenty, but if i'm in work and just looking to learn new skills, it's difficult - so maybe turn your situation into a positive oportunity to get it under your belt while you can I guess if I were an employer, i'd probably rather see on the CV that you've done the course rather than done the temp work (regardless of the job being related to the course or otherwise), but i'm not an employer, so I don't really know!

+1 for the course. Get yourself on it, and get the word out that you can do that kind of work. Open a seperate bank account and register yourself as self employed and needing to fill in a self assessment. Canvas as much as you can with places that people will trust, word of mouth has always been my best source of work. Keep aside 20% for tax (and some for NI, there's a standard rate but I can't remember what it is - though if you're making less than about 3.5k you can apply for NI exemption). Write everything down that goes in and out of that account, and you're sorted. Bear in mind you might need to register for VAT if you start turning over enough but that's incredibly unlikely atlast for now. You'll make far more money doing that if you can get the word out than you will on a temporary job on site, and you've got the confidence and skills to do it from the course. ^ Is my ten penneth.

My parents have a laptop and the battery is nearly completely gone, it lasts under 2 minutes, less on boot. i'm going to make them one of these and see how long it takes them...

PM sent

My last place (was 2006 when I left), we'd just bought in 2 HP 1tb NAS servers to deal with it. The place has 2200 students and about 120 staff. The storage for the music tech and drama studios was seperate to that and into the TB's aswell.

David, Getting your driving license sorted out will open a whole new world of possibilities, so make that a priority. I'm sure other people will be along soon enough to offer some actual advice though..... Mic

Yeh same here really, shame about the timing, i've 3 weeks off starting this friday!

Sorry, I was going on a conversation I was involved in last week where a school was told that they could do exactly that - I know nothing about it other than this conversation. My advice to the OP would be to check with your account manager directly, or PM me so I can put you in touch with the person I've got this information from. I do know that we have a SIF functionality somewhere in the mix and that we're also partners with Capita (i'm not sure that the terminology of partners is correct, that's my own terminology not that of either Serco or Capita, someone please feel free to correct me), so it's not beyond the realms of possibility... as I say I'm just repeating a conversation I was involved in between someone else at Serco and a customer. Mic

If you would like more informtion about Progresso and how it deals with this please give your account manager a shout or PM me for my details, If you're happy to wait, I'm sure you wont be disapointed, but I also don't want any ambiguity about what it will and wont do, I dont' want you wasting your time or feeling mislead! But as I say, from your description, you're sound. Just if you want more details. Mic

I believe Partnership exchange currently works with Facility too and even at consortiums of a mixed SIMS / Facility implementation. But yes, progresso does solve your problem out of the box, as long as when you move to it, you let us know that the schools are all part of the same 'cluster'. Mic

I've been in a similar position to those above, starting at 16, and working for it. I can echo everything that's been said, the trick is to be confident without being arrogant, the line is very fine but if you can don't come across as confident and personable how can they expect to have confidence in you - bear that in mine. Good luck, let us all know how it goes! Mic

Hi, You can add another SQL database on a different instance of SQL, or in the same instance. ePortal, you can run multiple installs on the same machines but this is usually done for large scale implementations only and there is a lot of manual installations, scripting and training needed. it isn't a viable option really for just having 2 database on one box. If you have processor licenses for SQL on that server, add the second database to that box. That will get around needing extra SQL licensing. If you have CALs you'll need to consider that. ePortal / Facility licensing you'll need to sort out through the LA as you are doing. ePortal can go on that spare VM. Facility (primary version) can be installed wherever you like it won't make a difference. If they're just using it for attendance, the overhead on the SQL server will be negligable but the overhead to ePortal will always be considerable, so that's another reason to put it on its own VM. Mic @ Serco All posts are my own personal opinion and not necessarily those of my employers or others who I work with or represent

Nice to hear people talking about Progresso. I might start a Progresso thread actually for some feedback... feel free John. As for the OP, if you give your account manager a call, they'll give you a list of partners that might be able to help. I could be completely wrong about this, but from memory, the API uses the same calls as ePortal, so if you can see the codes in ePortal, you can get them out of the API. If Groupcall is only looking for a set list, then groupcall need to change it, if indeed it doesn't export custom lists in the first place, then this is a change request at our end. In terms of Progresso, you won't necessarily need the API because they can just use a phone on 3g out on the field. Also, while you're looking at costs for third party software, consider the alternative cost of having wifi span the fields / halls etc. It might be that you can do that just as cheaply although that starts a whole different conversation about tablets etc. The last thing for me to say is that the API in Progresso will not affect the current API. The products are completely seperate and this is why the API functionality change would be a change request at present. Mic @ Serco Please note, All posts are my own personal opinion and not necessarily those of my employers or others who I work with or represent Mic

The back I got looked identical too so if you're swapping the phone anyway, then I'd just go with that.

Fair play. Every back these guys sell can't be like this, theye got some ridiculously good feedback. I've messaged them and asked what i should do about it so we'll see what happens.

Hi guys, I did mine last week. I paid £30 for the back, which was advertised as genuine part with a 12 month warranty, came iwth the star driver, and the new back had the frame, lens and flash difusers on. But, now whenever I take a photo with flash, I get a whiteout, it's like it's filling the inside of the phone with light, but it might be the drop that did it. I'm just going to take the back off and test it now... any ideas?

Yup. Adrian flux. Have you changed the log book with the DVLA? THere's a ridiculous process you have to go through but if you dont and the insurance doesn't match, it might be void. I've got a mini which was a 998 and is now a 1293, i've changed that on the log book and on the insurance - Adrian Flux don't have a problem with that, I've declared everything. Mic

Hi, To my knowledge, the PDA version works by detecting windows mobile and renders a different set of pages based on the XML file settings in the eportal installation. As John says, this may have changed since I last looked at it, the sales team will be able to help you further I'm sure. As an aside though, I just logged into eportal on my iphone and I see your point. I should say, Safari isnt supported - can you get firefox onto an ipad? I've just tried it and I can still type the code into the box, so its a case of clicking in the box, typing L or O and clicking in the next one. Not sure if that's any good - it wouldn't be on a phone due to size, but it might be on the ipad. Progresso is indeed very much mobile and built for those interfaces. Mic @ Serco

LMAO i'm such a moron I almost suggested you dial 150 from your land line Hope you get it sorted soon. Just got a Tivo jobby put in and moved the V+ box upstairs and binned off the old pace box i had up there. That's going ok so far...

Glenda - notice simcfc73's spelling mistake... i was just making a cheap play on words. I like open source, generally speaking I was referring more of something such as... an open packet of tomato ketchup, which was balanced on the centre console, and is now on the passenger seat.... messy!

Open sauce can get very messy

Congratulations

Hi, There is no current plan to automate the backup process. This can be logged as a change request on our forums in the usual manner if you would like to persue it. You can schedule a SQL backup using the SQL Agent as long as you are comfortable with backup and restore of SQL databases in this way. Support would be able to offer very limited advice on this area, and we can't be held lible for this backup process working as it's not our software. Most of the schools I speak to do implement this though and I do know a few who have had to use it *cough* @john. Mic @ Serco The above post is my own and does not necessarily represent the views and opinion of my employer or their associates.

P.S - What Robk said is spot on, I just think he made it sound too easy! It's too easy to get it wrong too.

Hi, There are some very specific settings you need to configure in SQL both in the installation and the creation of the database. I can't stress enough how much you shouldn't be doing this without relevant traing and or documentation, you really don't want to compromise the integrity of your data. You also need to make sure before moving the data that the timetabler doesn't have an extraction of the timetable out of the database for scheduler. If they do they need to integrate it, then take a new extraction from the new versions. Scheduler isn't updated on the server as Robk says but on the timetablers machine. Scheduler, ePortal and Admin versions must be compatible versions at all times. With every version of Admin comes a version of Scheduler - this isn't always the case with ePortal, so always check the site if you're unsure. I got your PM with your details and will give you a call in the morning when I can between meetings to see if I can help at all with yourself and the LA. I really strongly advise against going any further without some official guidance. I should also say at risk of upsetting Edugeek that we do offer a consultancy service- it sounds to me like you don't need it if it's part of the provision your LA provide, but you're no doubt going to breach your support SLA with the LA and with Serco if you go ahead without guidance and training and have issues in the future. Sorry this sounds so strict - I'm just very concerned about your data, it's not something you can leave to chance. Sometimes problems don't rear their heads for months afterwards and are then incredibly difficult to rectify. Kindest Regards Michael Sanderson The above post is of my own making and not the opinion or view of my employee or any of its associates.