Gibson335

That looks like it. I used to have a batch file that did this job, scheduled to run overnight.

Still not resolved here :-(

What's particularly annoying is that whatever has been done to the Microsoft server system, it's affecting all mail users, even those like us who have their own Exchange boxes.

Assumed you would have, but to be honest it's really the only proper way to go. If you really can't find anything, have an Amazon browse for self-help books/DVDs as at least you may find a starting point.

Art classes at local college? Better in that environment than from on-line, book or DVD tuition.

A 'server failure' is being cited as the cause by the support line tech we called...hmm, some server failure...and no failsafe?

If the two schools are to have separate DFE numbers then I think they are regarded as separated regards MIS as well. However, if the same number is used then you should be able to have a single instance.

That would be funnier still if it weren't so close to the truth

No, I think I understood you - I just know (as we all do) that others have a habit of getting involved, and may want to inject something along those lines into any questioning. It happened here when a member of staff got involved. If the questioning will be entirely down to you then that's the best way to go, of course.

Chromebooks, perhaps, with RDP into the networks. But as was pointed out before, people really need to start with the objective and work backwards, so identify what it is they want to achieve with these devices, then provide the most appropriate device. It's good to keep staff on board, but seeking their opinions as to type of device would be a dangerous way to go - simply find out what the goal is first.

We even proposed it as cost-neutral to begin with as we'd take the laptops and put them in the rooms, and when they were replaced on their normal cycle it would be with stations instead. Apparently, staff simply can't live without their laptops, though - even though they complain like mad about shunting them all over the site every day. We even 'have' to provide cover staff and trainees with laptops as it's 'expected of us'.

Been trying to get this agreed for years - even with the support of the BM the rest of SLT won't listen...apparently if we expect teachers to prepare lesson plans, etc, etc, then we must provide them with a device they can use at home. It's funny how, when they want something they simply point at another school and say 'they have it' as if that alone proves it must be a good thing, yet when you point at a school and say 'they don't have it' people suddenly have a different criteria by which to assess things.

Might be worth having a look at this: Reset Student User Password Free Tool for Schools, Business and Education - Burconix

It's good to have a long-term plan, but make sure you have plans B, C, D, etc...to fall back on because in my experience something will come along just about every year to invade those plans.

I document pretty much everything I can ever think of. Has proven to be an invaluable time-saver at critical moments. A year or so back we 'Fluked' the whole site so now have records of device to data point to patch panel to switch port, etc, plus vlans...

Whatever you're doing, get LM/SLT backing.

It's not just about performance it's about condition and reliability. We know from experience that most of our staff laptops get some awful abuse over the years, and to maintain stability across the site it's better for us to replace as we do. Equally, having the ability to move stations on into other areas is useful, so we designate some areas as being on a 4 year cycle instead of 5. We tend to find that, irrespective of image refreshing, older machines are simply less reliable. It also comes down to budget, availability, volume, and support team time constraints. A lifecycle should be a guideline, not set in stone, but it should represent known quantities.

Our workstations are on 4/5 year lifecycle, with the stations in main areas moved into other areas for their fifth and final year of warranty. Laptops are expected to be in main use for 4 years, become spares in their fifth, and stand-alones in their sixth. In all probability many will require a replacement battery in that time. We have few pads/tablets and none are older than 3 years yet, but everything I hear puts them in the 3 year category if you're lucky.

My initial thought would have been, 'I don't believe you' but then little surprises me anymore. Crazy notion. Ours are in our backup media safe and the BM's safe.

Agreed. When consulting with them regards the use of Office on a TS a few years back, I got four different answers from four different people at Microsoft.

I'd say this was right, but then as has been mentioned, their schemes are confusing (even to their own people, let alone us end users).

Perhaps even a greater move to coding - that certainly seems to engage many. The return to computer science is upon us, but given the poor uptake I've seen on the networking side of things here I'm not sure many kids are looking at a future in ICT.

Good grief - lighten up. It was a light-hearted reference to the posts on Page 2 comparing licenses to yoghurts with or without spoons. Apologies for wasting your time.

OK, which version of Yoghurt then?

I just want to ask one thing - which version of Spoon are you all using?