Gibson335

Replying just to draw attention to it again, with the added query: does anyone know where things stand regards EMBC and their decisions relating to 2012? For instance, have any costs been decided upon? Thanks.

Without going into too much detail at this stage, we are having problems with 'freezing' when several users save back to the network at the same time. It doesn't always happen, but often enough to be a pain. Thing is, the exact same laptops with the exact same image are being used in another area, and they are not having the same problem. Neither the edge nor core switches show any errors, nor does the wi-fi controller (which has current firmware). Fibre cabling is new and clean and tested OK. So nothing concrete points to the laptops, switch or controller or cabling, and it's not software either because laptops in both areas share the same msi and prism packages. Nothing sits between the AP and the clients, so I don't think environment is the issue, either. I know it has to be one of the above, but there are no clues. I am going to try swapping out the AP, the POE injector being used for that AP, the fibre gig module and the switch as well if I get that far (all in separate stages of course), but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced something similar and had resolved the problem. Cheers.

Have change on you - they have a lot of toll roads in Florida. Remember, you can turn right on a red light (like a left for us) unless there's a sign that says you can't.

Has anyone discovered a piece of software that does the same job on Win 7 clients? Something as easy to use and with no need of a client install? And free - preferably...cheap at least. Cheers.

In my 11 years here, we have have advertised for technicians on numerous occasions and in all that time I have received just a single application from a female. Does my reputation as an ageing lothario precede me, I wonder ;-)

Anyone currently using EMBC who has decided to move away when current contract expires? I'd be keen to find out who you're considering and why. Cheers in advance.

Are you able to provide any more details on the 'issues' you've had? Cheers.

Does anyone out there use Ergo workstations? Have to shop around these days, and I was wondering what the opinions are - if any - of these. Cheers.

I'm amazed by this. We've been using Stone for several years now, and seldom have any problems with the hardware itself. Pre and post-sales service and support has been first class. Given that we generally replace between 80 and 100 each year, and have seen very few failures, I guess it's a matter of take them as you find them - in our case, I'd take them. As for the warranty mentioned above, as per the reply to that it's not unusual to find this with fifth year of a warranty because few places are in a position to hold stock in that way - and Stone's recycling has helped them with this anyway.

We continue making use of them until they die a natural death - even if its for parts.

Like you say - it's a compromise. Set intervals allow for better planning, getting better deals on prices due to bulk ordering, better scheduling of replacements for us in support as well as staff, less images to make and store, improved leasing arrangements...set against cost...which, over three years, may not be so wide as to cause issues in all those other areas. I've had to work both ways - I remain in favour of scheduled replacements. But it's good to hear the other side of the coin, also.

Yeah, I get that. But it's not about retiring them at 3 years, it's about recirculating. We're still using 05 and 06 laptops because they move around and do different jobs...if they remain as frontline machines, not only will we have nothing to recirculate, but they'll wear out quicker or get damaged BER much sooner. The state most 3 year old laptops come back to us in it's a wonder most of them go on to do another year or so of effective use, but a significant number are fit for only spares after 3 years, too. For me the compromise is do we want to prolong their life and put them to good use by removing them from the frontline, or do we cling on to them until they roll over and die, which means either current non-teacher uses won't make use of them or we'll be purchasing just as many news ones anyway to compensate. It's a tough call.

Unfortunately she uses a dedicated workstation (replaced on a four or five year cycle). I understand that she's approaching this from a purely financial perspective, but I have to address many more issus than that - so far the posts have echoed my own approach to reasons why continuing the replacement cycle is favourable.

Keep them!?!? I wonder how they explain that in an LA audit - and how do they address the licensing issues around that?

Retasking is already in my list of reasons not to go that way - other than spares, we use all of our older laptops elsewhere, for TAs, NQTs and faculty stand-alones.

We currently purchase laptops on a 3 year replacement cycle. Our BM has suggested purchasing only when laptops are broken BER instead because 'other schools do'. I'm keen to retain the cycle approach, but thought I'd ask: what do my fellow Edugeekians do? I'm also looking for any viable reasons for NOT purchasing on the fly and for maintaining bulk purchases every 3 years to add weight to my own arguments. Many thanks.

I'm amazed by the 'if I can get in they can' attitude of people not just on here but in general. Many people can't get their cars out of their own streets during really prolonged periods of snow and/or ice; for the same reason cabs can't be used; bus and train services are cancelled. My own school takes the reasonable view that you should do everything you can do to get in, but if you're unable to you are expected to stay in contact and work at home if at all possible.

I'm just trying to get an idea - looking ahead. Windows 7 is for tech desktop support for our techs, the Office 2007 is really a 'familiarisation' for admin staff users currently on v2003. I also should have put 'within 60-90 minutes of Peterborough and/or Leics'. However, I think the Office 2007 course held on here on site for around a dozen users might be even better. Cheers.

Looking for two courses that will help with the support of both Windows 7 and Office 2007-10. They need to be public courses that we can slot one person at a time into, and preferably within 60-90 minutes from Peterborough. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Yes, Andy Burgess is my contact as well. In providing you with 'future-proofing' (as much as that is possible) he'd doing what's best for you, even if it does mean coming in a little more expensive. You perhaps need to discuss TCO with those who make decisions at your place. I have worked with Andy now for 10 years and he has never steered me wrong.

Shayes... We were with CSE and now with Burconix. Have seen their software and are implementing it this year on our Admin network, just because it's user-friendly for the technicians and we now have a need for a deployment tool on that network as well. Burconix are very good to work with, I've found. Flexible, and certainly not 'clock watchers' when they're on site.

I'd like to echo this mail - I can get an outline of the course, I can get its objectives, but no one, not even XMA, seem to be able to provide a breakdown of the training days. Does anyone out there have information on this. I may want to attend the training days, but I want to know what they consist of first. Is that too much to ask for? Cheers.

You might point them to BECTA and their opinion that even on a new network a ratio of 1 to 150 computers is appropriate. Not sure how many schools are that fortunate, but certainly I think you need one more technician to make sure you providing the best support possible.

I'll look into those sites you mention. If so, then I guess I'll have to react accordingly. Many thanks.

Thanks for that. But do you know that for a fact or is that just an opinion? Surely the fact that I have reported on this with recommendations makes it my line manager's problem? After all, whilst I am the NM, final authority goes with SLT. I have no authority to either remove software or purchase any if they don't want to give me that authority.