e-class

The problem you are facing is because unlike workstations, Terminal Servers (or Citrix Servers) do NOT allow users to download printer drivers, which if you think about it makes sense. Generally, on a workstation a user can download drivers as this will only affect just that workstation and only the users that use that workstation. On a Terminal/Citrix server you have multiple users using that same server, therefore if you do download a 'dodgy' print driver, it will affect a whole load of users - not good. There used to be a time, quite a while ago, when servers would frequently blue screen if you added the 'wrong driver'. As mentioned previously, you could do the following: 1)... Allow users to download drivers, via a policy. 2)... Install all the necessary drivers, as an admin on that server, probably best to do this at build time. 3)... If they are Citrix servers then replicate them around using the Console, or use the Universal Print Driver. 4)... If they are simple Windows Terminal Servers, then you'll have to manually go to each and add the driver, or as an admin, simply connect to the printer, which should add the drivers. Alternatively, you could try and script it, if you have loads of printers, but this will mean copying files and exporting/importing registry keys. You might also be able to use 'printmig' which might do the trick of getting the drivers across to all servers? HTH

I'd like your help and advice .... again, please 1)... Can anyone recommend any suppliers to supply and fit projectors in the Gloucestershire area please. Any idea of costs? PM me if necessary. 2)... We are about to go for an eBeam solution (rather than Smartboards/Prometheans) for two of our classrooms. I know its not widely used at the moment (apart from in Abereen, Scotland, so I'm told!) but does anyone have any horror stories for me not to recommend this option to the school? 3)... The school is a Primary school and they are purchasing Textease Studio CT from Softease (Softease - Welcome to the Softease website), a set of simple Word Processing Tools, Spreadsheets etc for small children. I've tried Open Office on the PCs and the kids find it quite hard to do graphs etc (would be the with MS Office) so is there any other simple Office type apps that are specifically for kids. I have been told that Textease Studio CT from Softease is quite popular in Primary schools. Once again, thanks to all you knowledgeable people out there ... makes my life a lot easier when I tell the Governors that other Educational IT Experts have checked and OK'd my recommendations!

We use: TGL Services for our schools.

Thanks for all the replies especially the 'pullies and bells' one, I'll be sure to mention that one to the office staff ... from a distance of course! Looks like a PBX or sommat ... just to tranfer calls. Just thought of one other thing that might help. Both the offices also have PCs which are networked to each other (RJ45 rather than wireless 'cos that don't work either) for access to the internet via a router. I guess I could give them a quick script on the PC that would send a beep/ring to say 'Pick up the phone now ... its for you!!!' or even just give them chat access to each other or something similar? Maybe, even mic up the two PCs? Any ideas, on the best approach on getting this sorted using the LAN connection maybe? Thanks again

Need help solving a phone problem, please! A small primary school has a single phone line. It has two buildings which are in a sort of 'L' shape with the playground in between. One end of the building has the BT master socket and has a phone. We have wired in another phone socket around the 'L' shape so that the other end of the building can also get to a phone. We did this as we couldn't get any sort of good reception with a cordless phone. Excellent we thought both ends of the school are happy! Well they aint! The problem is, now when one end of the school gets a call, they cannot transfer to the other end of the school, as the two phones are not cordless and cannot therefore transfer calls. Both sides are complaining about fielding calls for the other office and the inability to transfer the call on. So I have been given a deadline of until the end of half-term to try and sort out, except I haven't got the foggiest as to how to do this. I've asked and someone has said you need to get a PBX(???) or sommat similar. I've looked on the internet and am even more confused. So, how do I get each side to able to transfer calls to the other without breaking the bank? Thanks in advance.

OK, had a bit more time to do some investigations - both come out about £220..ish Acer: 2 year warranty and replacement lamps are about £200+ NEC: 3 year warranty and replacement lamps are about £130. So definitely looks like the NEC one so far. Also, have now found this: http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=290768&Sku=Q120210 3 Years Yrs 1: Loan-Exchange - Yrs 2/3: carry-in Repair & Return - 6 Months or 1000 hr (whichever sooner) cover on bulbs Replacment lamps seem to be about £170-£200. Are BenQs any better? I've had a search on the net and found these come in about £280..ish, unless someone can point me in the right direction for a cheaper deal? Thanks

A small school I help out has asked me whether the following is a good projector to buy: Acer X1160 Projector Projector EY.J5601.001 - PC World Business Online Store UK - Buy The Best Deals Online. I'm not sure about Acers so is this a good buy? They are after a basic cheap projector as they have very limited funds. It's not going to be doing anything fancy so DLP/800x600 is fine. I've seen: dabs.com - NEC NP100 2000 Ansi SVGA Projector (60002292) Any good? Any other recommendations for projectors around this price. Thanks

First of all thanks to all who have added their thoughts to this thread, it's been really helpful. The school is a small independent community school which has a very small budget, so I'm going to do some more investigations into the Epson ones and possibly look at the RM deals being offered as mentioned by Steve. The Wiimote smartboard idea looks REALLY interesting and am going to try this out so if anyone has tried it and has some experience please let me know, I'd be really greatful. Thanks everyone! e-class

OK, here goes my first posting with a request for some info/advice. I'm one of the IT volunteers that help out at a small local school. I've been asked to find out about buying a projector and/or a whiteboard but the school only has very limited funds so we're looking at budget stuff here. Have researched the forums a bit and seen some Hitachi's and Epsons suggested whilst others suggest staying away from InFocus. I'll also need to take into account the cost of replacement bulbs as well, I guess? Any other ongoing costs I should know about? What about Interactive Whiteboards? I have seen them for about £800+ on the net. What about ongoing costs? If you buy the board, do you get the software with it or is that extra? Have really no idea about this smartboard stuff so any advice is really appreciated, thanks. Apologies in advance for the newbie questions but am not really up to date with the multimedua stuff! Supporting the school stuff is much harder than my normal job, definitely .... Citrix is a doddle compared to all this Thanks P.S. Excellent site with really helpful ideas and information!!