ictstbenedicts

Due to compatibility issues with IOS8 and Dropbox, we are holding off upgrading our iPads to IOS8 until a fix is released. However, we still wish to be able to date APPS on the iPads and wipe and configure new iPads to run IOS7. Using Apple configurator in Supervised Mode forces Configurator to check for the latest version of IOS and download it first to the iPad before doing anything else. We have already tried to block the IP address 23.61.255.24 which is where we believe this Apple IOS8 update comes from but this just prevents the download and Configurator just sits there counting up the hours it is going to take to download IOS8! In the meantime all the other updates and APP downloads sit stuck behind the IOS8 update. As we don't wish to go to IOS8 just yet is there a way of bypassing the IOS update and just updating the Apps? Thanks Mark

Up until now we have been using basic IT project management methods for implementing infrastructure projects (26yrs IT operations experience of what works + common sense). It has now been suggested that we use Agile methods for Infrastructure Projects. Whilst I've come across Agile software development until now I've never heard of it being used for infrastructure How to apply Agile methods to infrastructure projects. | LinkedIn. and methodology - Can (and should) Agile be used for Infrastructure projects? - Project Management Stack Exchange Are any of you out there using Agile project management methods for infrastructure projects? What do you use?

We use Citrix Xendesktop (VDI), you get the full school desktop (in our case Windows 7, including Creative Suite, office etc) in a web browser on any device outside school!

Our current 3rd line support company which we have worked with for over 10 years is in the process of winding down their operations as a number of the team are nearing retirement. Therefore, I was wondering whether the community could recommend some companies based upon their experience. The sort of 3rd line support we require covers the following areas: Network troubleshooting and configuration - mainly surrounding moves adds and changes to the network Exchange 2003/ 2010 configuration and troubleshooting support Project based consultancy as required regarding the above and network security, with opportunities for project work in other areas subject to experience. Our methodology when working with 3rd parties is that of partnership, where we like to be as "hands on" as possible which normally means that telephone support/ remote access is all that is needed, with an allowance for two days p.a. onsite. We are located in West London. Many thanks

Our head of ICT (teaching only) is looking at the possibility of usingTeacher Dashboard for Google Apps Teacher Dashboard for Google Apps « Hapara – Google Enterprise Solutions I was wondering: 1. Whether other schools had had experinece of this software. 2. How have they found the technical support, which seems to be e-mail and forum based Thanks

We are looking to setup Skype video connection with a school in France for our MFL dept. We would like to get the experience from other schools as to what camera/ mic. configuration they have successfully used for this applicaiton. Previously, we have tried a Logitec QuickCam Pro 9000 HD which suffered with poor audio pick-up (range of mic was too short), field of view was too narrow so everyone had to group in front of the camera and we had problems with flourescent lighting in the room washing out the image, with the lights off the room was too dark (during the day)! thanks

We are have a problem with a software solution which does not support multiple network domains, in our case academic and admin. According to the vendor this multiple domain configuration is not common in schools these days and this is the reason for their solution only supporting a single domain. Do you run multiple domains on your network and do you consider the vendors perception of school network topology to be correct? Thanks

A VLE lives or dies through it's content, if it is difficult to create inspirational content, then you end up either with VLE which is essentially a filing system, with a sprinkling of excellent content created by the ICT teacher who loves dabbling with the system. I agree that for a VLE to work it needs SMT support, and needs a team of teachers to plan and develop how it is going to be used by the school. The implementation of a VLE should not be work of an individual. This makes no difference whether it's Moodle or Frog or any other system for that matter. Frog is at a system level managed externally, so is our current Moodle system. This does not make Moodle easy to use, just gives my department one less service to support at a technical level. One of our options was to change vendors and get Moodle hosted on site, this would then give us MIS integration and AD integration. Frog is hosted on site. The issue for the teacher is not about system management, it is about how easy it is for them to create content in that system, without having to understand HTML or appreciating how the system works. One of our teaches compared Moodle to a PC and Frog to an Apple computer (personally I do not agree, but I understand their point). At then end of the day, IT don't have to use the system (just support it) therefore any VLE system has to be attractive enough to the end user to get the majority to want to use it with a gentle nudge. If not, enthusiasm drops and the VLE essentially dies in the school.

Like you we are looking at changing our Moodle system, for similar reasons. Had Frog in yesterday to show us their system and everyone were very impressed. We have looked at a different Moodle solution alongside Frog, but in terms of usability and functionality there is no competition. As a non-teacher, I appreciate the problems teachers have getting to grips with Moodle. The interface is so unintuitive. It's a shame resource is not thrown at developing a decent graphical user interface for Moodle. It is so 1980's. People love drag and drop and a visual interface, they are not going to go backwards to learn how to use an interface which hinders their creativity. The VLE must work for them, otherwise they will not use it. Whilst it is okay for us who are technically skilled and flexible because we have to use different interfaces to manage our IT systems, we have to accept that teachers skills are generally elsewhere and therefore the tools we supply should accommodate their skill-set. The way I see it, Moodle only works where you have an organisational structured to permanently hand-hold staff in getting the most out of the VLE. To do this costs a lot of money, as at least one person has to be paid to do the job. Going out and getting an VLE which is user friendly as well as delivering what the teachers need be it at a cost is overall cheaper and more effective than the DIY approach. Basically, yo need to see and understand the bigger picture when choosing any IT system and a VLE is no different. I await "incoming fire" for daring to knock Moodle and for supporting teachers ICT needs!

We are in the process of planing a deployment of a minimum of 50 clients using VMWare ESX server with a Citrix VDI client. Citrix (surprise surprise) are leading the field with their client technology. Lag issues with Video and graphics intensive packages is resolved internally using the latest Citrix client software, lag may be an issue remotely due to internet bandwidth being the limiting factor, most likely at the pupils end. We are implementing a 100Mbit fibre connection in readiness for VDI. The real benefit is for the pupils as we can now provide remote access not just to the network, but also the desktop and the applications running on it through a web browser from the pupils home. So full access to the schools network and resources becomes 24/7, pupils have access to the applications so there is no excuse for pupils to say that they did not have the software on their home PC! Staff also get full access meaning they can access the full SIMS client from home, removing their need to use SIMS Learning Gateway (SLG).

It works in the same way as in the corporate world. The only difference is that the licensing is considerably cheaper than the select licensing charged to corporates clients. When I came into education seven years ago from the corporate world, the discount was approximately 75% less! For every VDI PC you will need a WinVECDforSA SNGL SubsVL MVL PerDvc which is on an annual license fee. Mark

Although the website is up and running now, this seems to be all that's working. Sent an e-mail to Ozan last Wednesday, no reply. Logged two online support calls yesterday, still unassigned after 26hrs. Tried e-mailing Technical Support:[email protected] (as listed at About Us | OP Software - Solutions for Education) e-mail bounced, mailbox not found! Just tried phoning their telephone Sales number only to get voice mail. As there are no other telephone numbers, I've seem to have run out of options, other than paying a personal visit to their office! Not looking good. Anyone else experiencing problems contacting OPSoftware in the last two weeks? Have you had responses or are you still awaiting a response?

Although the website is up and running now, this seems to be all that working. Sent an e-mail to Ozan last Wednesday, no reply. Logged two online support calls yesterday, still unassigned after 26hrs. Tried e-mailing Technical Support:[email protected] (as listed at About Us | OP Software - Solutions for Education) e-mail bounced, mailbox not found! Just tried phoning their telephone Sales number only to get voice mail. As there are no other telephone numbers, I've seem to have run out of options, other than paying a personal visit to their office! Not looking good. Anyone else experiencing problems contacting OPSoftware in the last two weeks? Have you had responses or are you still awaiting a response?

http://www.opsoftware.net/ and https://opsoftware.ict-helpdesk.net/ are now both up.

Thanks for the reassurance.