hallb15

Have you already got the WAPs? If so, which are they? We use Netgear switches and Netgear WAPs here. They just work and are easy to configure.

I would say use robocopy in a batch file and schedule it to run so that it completes before the server is backed up. The downside of this approach is that it won't copy any files that happen to be in use at the time robocopy is run. You can add the /r:0 and /w:0 switches so that it doesn't fail at the first error, but this will still leave you with uncopied files if they were in use at the time. If the files are that important, bite the bullet and buy the Backup Exec server agent you require - I don't think its that expensive, especially if the data on the second server is of high enough importance.

We're planning on keeping the LLN service alive and running it with one PC connected until April 2014, which we can remote into as and when required. AVCO is being replaced by school 2 school (s2s) which is a government service. Any other services we might need will be done on a dongle basis for those that absolutely require it. NB We don't use LLN for VoIP, CCTV, website, sharepoint etc... I'm certainly not paying £790+VAT to get staff emails dumped on a USB drive. Even if it means me doing all 85 staff manually!

I've had some info from ICT4Leeds, although I think this is the same that was sent out to Heads back in April, but at least it confirms pricing. What it doesn't confirm though is what the replacement for Infobase is going to be, and how it will be accessed. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please find attached details of the ICT4Leeds Service offer which is still available. The contract period will be for 4 years and the quote you have been provided with is on a like-for-like basis. The ICT4Leeds service includes access to InfoBase and AVCO. However, these are to be replaced by 1 April and details will be available in due course. An indication of what would happen to a School on 1 April can be understood from the following advice issued to Schools considering not just leaving LLN but also not taking the ICT4Leeds Service. Prior to moving outside the Local Authority, whether on the 31 March 2014 or before, LLN Service Desk will respond to any such news by offering a School advice on a number of issues such as either losing or retaining access to some Leeds City Council services (FAB, SAP, InfoBase, Energy unit URL, collaboration zones and the 4Heads website). Typical advice for a School moving outside the Authority would be: • where a school or Academy requires access to SAP,FAB or Energy unit url, this would be provisioned via a token per person. There is a one-off setup fee of £30 (includes p&p) and a charge per token is £60/annum each. • where a school or Academy requires access to InfoBase, this can be setup at a cost of £30 per person per annum. No token is required and the person is issued with LCC login credentials. • where a school or Academy wants to transfer data to LCC Children's Services, because AVCO file transfer will no longer be available, the process is to use the schools2schools portal. • if a school would like a back-up of their • SharePoint site on a secure USB hard drive, • email and calendar content (PST file) for all users on a secure USB hard drive, this can be arranged but will be at a cost to the school of £790+vat for one or £990+vat for both. This is an identified process provided by Capita. • there is no option for a school to retain VOIP and numbers cannot be transferred. • where a school has cctv provided over the LLN, this will no longer function. • where a school has a website hosted by Leeds Learning Network, a school will also need to ensure alternative hosting provision is made. I hope the above is helpful. If you have any further questions or require copies of any other documents from the ICT4Leeds Service pack sent out in April please contact me.

I use QuickTrack Pro which came free with the Peninsula barcode scanners we bought for our library. Barcode scanners were £99 each though... Before that, we just used excel.

Is it a shark? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Jaws_the_revenge.jpg

One of the advantages of building it yourself (or himself) is that you can upgrade individual components as necessary. £400 isn't a lot, but if you shop around you could get a decent spec desktop PC as a starting point, using a motherboard with decent onboard graphics. Then if he finds the graphics performance isn't up to it, he can add a higher spec graphics card later... If you/he hasn't time to do the research and locate all the components, you could ask someone like Very PC to quote you on a few options...

We've got 3 of these Phoenix II barcode readers from Peninsula. Phoenix II barcode readers for connection to mac or pc, usb. For schools, they come with free Quicktrack Pro database software which can be used for asset management or as a school library package. I use it for both purposes and it works a treat. The support guys know what they are talking about, and will help get your database setup how you want it.

I've only ever needed to swap the batteries, I've never had a UPS itself fail. I don't have any experience of Prolink UPSs though. I always use APC or Eaton (MGE) at a push. I've bought replacement batteries from Uninterruptible Power Supply | Standby Power | UPS Battery | Critical Power Supplies but I just had a quick look and didn't see anything listed for ProLink. Where abouts are you in the world? Also, 18 months doesn't seem like very long to me. What warranty did you get with the UPS?

Have you got an old laptop you could trade in? Toshiba are offering £100 cash back on some i5 and i7 models. Trade In - Toshiba

Here's a photo in case anyone was wondering what they looked like!

Yeah, my sweets turned up today. I got the missing pink angry birds fruit pastilles. Loving the personalised Back to school crest on the letter - I almost stuck it on my noticeboard, almost, but I didn't want to advertise the fact I had sweets. (They're mine, all mine!)

We have a Terrastation and a LinkStation here and I've used several Terrastations before. Don't panic yet. From experience Terrastations are built like tanks. You need to see what errors are displaying/LEDs are lit on the unit itself to work out what to do next. There's loads of help on NAS Central here: EM Mode - NAS-Central Buffalo - The Linkstation Wiki Also, if you're feeling brave you could try and telnet into the NAS via ACP commander - more info here: ACP Commander - NAS-Central Buffalo - The Linkstation Wiki

+1 for Image Resizer for Windows. Does exactly what it says on the tin. For printing A4, you'll need a reasonable resolution, but just for dropping photos into documents or a webpage you can get away with something a lot smaller. I find that the default setting "Large" is more than adequate for printing A5 or A4 most uses. It creates files with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 72dpi, which are about 350K in size.

Thanks, Dave. I was after some specific examples, including costs paid to LLN for access to the likes of Infobase, as I've not managed to get a definitive answer other than 'you can get a dongle for that, they are about £70'.

What? So where are they then? Has someone intercepted my mail? Mmmm, I bet the sweetie sensor in the office went off as the postman walked through the door! I shall go and investigate - now where's my deerstalker and magnifying glass?

This is one for the Leeds schools: I know some schools have moved away from LLN over the summer holiday. I was wondering if anyone who has already moved providers has any stories to share about how smoothly the move went, any issues faced etc. Did you have any issues with SIMS or AVCO or any other LLN services like infobase etc... Our SLT is nervous and I could do with some facts to help calm their fears! Thanks in advance

Count me in! I'm still waiting for the sweets from the back to school comp but I'll forfiet those if I can have two entries into stocktober!

That is odd. What about if you boot it up without the ethernet cable connected, can you then plug the cable back in and connect to the network as usual? Sorry just re-read your post and see you have answered that! Have you tried a different ethernet cable? different port on the switch/router? Are there any other new devices on the network?

Unfortunately, short throw projectors are not usually cheap. I am an Epson convert after many years sticking with Sanyo. I've installed two Epson EB-470 ultra-short throw projectors recently and there were very easy to install as they come with a custom designed wall bracket which is superb. The built in speakers are also pretty good for a projector and would be fine for a small classroom. They come with a 3 year warranty, although some places are advertising 5 years (such as AVPartsmaster) I paid £695 for mine - what price did you have in mind?

+1 for the Epson EB-X11. For the price they can't be beaten. We have several here and have been using for over 6 months without issue. They are easy to install and have everything you need for use in a school (and nothing you don't) 3 year lamp and product warranty (for education users) is very good.

Congratulations Siuko! Now I'm 1 step closing to winning the Bee

+1 for Kompozer. It works well as it allows WYSIWYG editing, and direct HTML editing. It runs on Windows or Linux - there's even a PortableApps version so you can have it all self contained on a USB stick.

Do you have any details on the smoke box? It may be possible to conjure up a bracket to modify the mitsubishi mount and allow you to use the Epson EB-X11. We have several Epson EB-X11 and they are quite small in size so you may be able to squeeze it in. In two previous schools I've worked in they've had a standard projector (NEC in one, Sanyo in the other, both 3LCD systems) in the Food Tech room, without a smoke box. They needed more regular cleaning, especially when the weather is hot like this, and the Sanyo was more susceptible to shutting down due to overheating if not cleaned regularly. I just washed the filters in warm water and washing up liquid - worked for me!

We use a combination of radio mics (hand held and headset), wired condenser mics and a couple of shotguns. It does take a lot of trial and error to get the placement of the shotguns and the EQ just right to stop feedback whilst getting the sound levels you want. A decent mixer will help with this. As for the lighting, we went with LEDs as they are much more versatile, run cooler and use less power. Get in touch with Steve at Astounded.com thats where we bought all our stage lighting and PA system from, he knows his stuff, and is very helpful.