BJG

I'm currently looking at providing remote access to our internal SIMS server, and wondering if we should be considering migrating to a hosted system. Internet is based on 100MB. I got my fingers burned with a flaky web-based MIS in the past...any opinions on the pros/cons...?

We have a new reprographics tech who would like to implement some kind of electronic booking system for photocopying work etc. He's suggested that we should set up osticket for this. I haven't used it before, so I don't know how suitable it would be...I'm inclined to think it might be overkill, but perhaps not. Anyone got an effective electronic reprographics booking thing...?

I was recently considering these: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MzQ0WDUyNQ==/z/AwEAAOSwVL1WABOl/$_75.JPG K290 Comfort Keyboard for PC - Logitech http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Comfort-Keyboard-K290-layout/dp/B00EE7DVTM I wondered if the ZX-Spectrum-style profile might discourage vandalism.

Just wondering what the current thinking is re: OS for the masses. We're currently on Windows 7 everywhere, when Windows 8 came out I decided to skip it and wait for Windows 10. Now it's here, I'm wondering when to deploy, but I'm in no particular rush. Any thoughts...?

Thanks for the comments - just needed a reality check. I just found another 4108GL crammed with similar modules on eBay for £45, so I've grabbed that as a backup. I guess there's life in the old dog yet...

This is what I'm thinking, though I was looking at a replacement module on eBay for £15 (list price $1000) to change some of the connections and wondering if I was being sensible.

We're currently running an old HP 4108GL with a bunch of modules as our core switch. I've been thinking I should probably replace it, but the miser in me is tempted to keep it going. Additional/spare modules go for peanuts on eBay. So give me counsel...do I need to kick this thing out, or spend a large amount of cash to update something that still basically works fine...? If I was to replace it, what kind of thing should I be looking at?

One of our Smart UPS APC 1500s has been stinking out the corridor with a smell of rotten eggs all day. Told them they'd have to wait until after school to have it disconnected. Think they'll be relieved in the morning...

(Great, thanks ppl.)

Very basic question, but I just need a simple, accurate answer which I'm finding hard to get. I have a machine running Server 2012 Datacenter. If I want to add additional virtual servers, do I need to purchase any additional licences, and what server edition should I install on the VMs...? (Installing Datacenter on the VMs seems odd, but I don't have a key for Standard. I also can't quite believe that I can run unlimited virtual servers without additional licences, which is what I've been told.) Thanks!

...ay, an interesting technology. Definitely has potential, with the right material, presented in the right way. (Personally, mostly I tend to look at the pictures.)

It's currently set up something like this - (not optimal by any means). 1 Active Directory, DNS, Print, PDQ Deploy, PDQ Inventory, WDS 2 File server (department folders), networked applications 3 Networked applications (finance, exams), DHCP 4 MIS (staff/student database – currently Serco, will be migrating to SIMS) 5 Active Directory, DNS, Home folders, IIS (Intranet) 6 Music Dept server (Music home folders); low utilisation 7 Hyper-V, Clickview (video delivery), Library database, EMCO (power management); low utilisation

I might have asked something similar before, but we're still in the planning stages for this, and any general thoughts/recommendations would be helpful. We're currently running about seven servers, mixed specs and ages, with minimal virtualisation. It works OK, but it's time for a refresh. Server 1 Dell PowerEdge 2900 4-core 1.6GHz Intel Xeon E5310 8GB Server 2008 R2 1TB Server 2 Ergo 4 x 2.79GHz Intel Xeon 2GB Server 2003 R2 1TB Server 3 Dell PowerEdge 2900 4-core 1.6GHz Intel Xeon E5310 2GB Server 2003 R2 1TB Server 4 Dell PowerEdge 2900 4 x 2 GHz Intel Xeon E5405 4GB Server 2003 R2 1TB Server 5 Dell PowerEdge T710 2 x 8-Core 2.39GHz Xeon E5620 8GB Server 2008 R2 2TB Server 6 PowerEdge T620 2 x 12-Core 2GHz Xeon E5-2620 16GB Server 2008 R2 1TB Server 7 PowerEdge T620 2 x 12-Core 2GHz Xeon E5-2620 16GB Server 2012 R2 Data 1TB We want to replace this with a new virtualised setup (currently thinking Hyper-V) - maybe keep the T620s and add, what, a couple more boxes...? Sizewise, we have about 1000 pupils, 160 staff, 500 PCs. I'd be interested to know what schools of a similar size with a smooth-running infrastructure have put in place...in a nutshell, how many boxes, and what are they...? Thanks!

Great - thanks for the info...

This summer we'll be switching to SIMS, as well as replacing our server hardware and moving towards increased (if not total) server virtualisation. I'm wondering whether to virtualise SIMS or give it its own box. What kind of physical/virtual hardware do I want to get this thing running smoothly...?

That does look pretty impractical. Hmm...past leaving presents... Guitar tuner, got quite a lot of use out of it. Bottle of champagne, gave it to a tramp on the way home. (I was drunk.) That's all I can remember.

Like, Mary Celeste. http://searchoflife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mary-celeste-mystery.jpg What should I do?

I just ordered a 'Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch small' for my own use and to show round to a few departments (Art, DT, Media). The school currently doesn't have a single graphics tablet, or even work with vector graphics AFAIK. I was wondering what other people did in terms of model, availability, and usage...? Illustrator seems great but expensive. I was thinking of taking a look at Autodesk Sketchbook Pro now that all their stuff is free to schools. Any comments/suggestions welcome... (Also bought myself a Wacom Inkling for home which I'm waiting for...tore open a box in excitement yesterday to discover it was my wife's delivery of hoover bags. Disappointing. Set my heart on a Cintiq when I can afford one...)

Another user here. Easy to work with...expensive though.

OK, thanks people...

Can't seem to get these working here...(Chrome/Firefox) BBC - GCSE Bitesize - History - The Cold War - Video Are they bust...?

I was having a look at Unreal Engine over the weekend. This has probably been posted before, but budding game devs might be interested that it's free for schools, in case you were't aware. https://www.unrealengine.com/education Together with Autodesk's offering of free Max & Maya, and Microsoft's free Visual Studio via DreamSpark, that's a heck of an FPS toolset.

I've been asked for an opinion on a sound system for this school hall... http://media.soundonsound.com/images/forum/https:__farm3_staticflickr_com_2945_15416296981_205ce2ea2d.jpg.png http://media.soundonsound.com/images/forum/https:__farm3_staticflickr_com_2941_15232708169_dd7e184919.jpg.png They currently use: 1) An Amis 120XL 120W amp with four 30W TOA F-1300BT speakers (wall and rack mounted). 2) A Peavey XR684F powered mixer with two Peavey PV115 400W speakers (portable). Apparently smoke was seen "billowing" from the Peavey, though it still works, and they've asked me if it's safe to use. I would guess not. What they'd like is a decent fixed sound system they can use for guest speakers, musicals, school bands (with stage box) etc. Any suggestions for kit or companies...?

What are people currently using for web logging, like, "What pages has X been looking at today, what are the most popular sites over the last month", etc. Used to use SurfControl years ago which seemed pretty good. We've ditched Securus.

Just been playing with the EMCO demo and it looks great actually. Definitely on the shopping list. (I'm thinking of WOLing the whole school at about 6.00am to get any updates out the way.)