woody

I have been asked to look at the cost of installing 64 thin clients and obviousley a server to run them on. These will be Win XP. But I have no idea of how to set up a thin client solution. Does MS Server 2003 support thin clients? Basically, can anyone provide me with a shopping list of hardaware / software. Oh, and any suggestions as to where to get it from would be great too. Thanx

I know we are talking about microsoft here, but how can three of their own products not work together particularly when they are designed to? We are talking about MS Exchange server, MS PocketPC and MS Activesync. It shouldn't matter whether it is a HP PDA or not if it has PocketPC on it. So surely MS have looked at this problem if it is so common?

Ok then, so it's not going to work as it should. So how do I do it? What I currently have, is a calendar on exchange, shared and edited by multiple users through MS Outlook. How do I get that calendar onto the PDA?

Cradle

I've just installed Exchange on a server and it is wokring fine (primary use is to share clanders) So the next natural follow on is to link up the dep. head's PDA. Is was synching fine to his local Outlook via Activesync. But now I have changed the server source in Activesync to the exchange server, it just won't sync. I know Activesync sees the server, because if I get the server credentials wrong, it let's me know. But It has accepted the address to the server fine, but when it comes to sync, it just keeps trying, and trying and trying, and never stops trying. Anyone had this problem and overcome it? Ta

Moodle.

We are trialling Net Support School at the moment. The thing I don't like, and I'm sure John maybe able to help on this, is that is doesn't seem to grab the logon names from the AD when you look at the PCs in the list. You have to get them to 'Register' if you want the names to appear. When you have lots of classes and many of them coming in from other lessons, you don't want to be going through that hassle every time. You want the setup time to be minimal. It seems to rely on the teacher seting up a lesson in preperation. You can time it out and everything. But all that is too gimicky. You just want to have the control. You don't need it to teach for you!

We merged our networks last summer and I must admit, it has cut down on a lot of duplicated work. But I agree that the threat of teachers leaving their laptops on, or even blatently allowing pupils to use their account is high. However, all our staff need to access SIMS Lesson monitor and so need to be connected to the admin server. Whether we merged the networks or not, sims would have been accessible in the classroom, and the possibility of a breach in security due to teachers was the same.

I am looking into getting an application server to run curriculum software for departments such as Geography and possibly the KS3 tests too.. The only problem is, we can't afford a proper server spec. So I wonder what people think about using a good desktop machine and putting loads of RAM and HD capacity into it?

Hi Nath, I don't know if you saw the case study for CCTV that CSE have done, but it is my school that they have used. I was very pleased with the job they did and I must admit they wern't too pushy, but it was Reg Towse I dealt with and not a woman. What is the lady called that is bothering you? Anyway, we have been happy with our camera system although there has been teething problems, and I have worked closely with CSE and without blowing my own trumpet, have probably helped them to improve their systems, IE pushed them to look at better security software, other cameras and servers etc. Anyway, what I would say to you is, if you plan to have a few cameras just in the ICT rooms, and you have done some cabling before, then it wouldn't be too much of a problem to do it yourself. But if you are thinking long term, and want to have an extensive CCTV system in place, then ask them to quote for you. We have had 41 cameras installed and although I am glad that we got them to do it because of the sheer scale of the project, I have learned how all the software works and could probably set up a similar system myself if I needed to. It's not that difficult. Anyway, if they keep bothering you, you will just have to be blunt and tell them they are not exactly winning you over by harrasing you!!!

Mr TechMonkey I would like to say THANKYOU VERY MUCH. You eased my increasingly BIG headache. Why the Hell is there not one scrap of info in the whole of office or on the support webiste that explains why that problem occurs, especially when it's such a simple fix? Anyway, not I can get on with creating my random passwords. TA

Ok, in excel 2003 can anyone tell me why the function RANDBETWEEN doesn't work? I'm cutting and pasting from the help example into the spreadsheet and even that won't work. All I get is #NAME? in the cell. :x Oh, and I installed all the office updates. Thanks

Teacher: "How can I repay you for fixing my computer?" Technician: "Private tuition for my child?"

@ DMcCoy Looks like you idea has already been done! http://www.offlinetshirts.com/cgi-bin/ol/comp/compgeek.cgi/compgeek/atshirtnexus.14060254

So how do you download it rather than stream?

Wonder how it would fare with our dynamic wep setup then? Will have to get on the mac and have a go!

My best attempt: The url to go on the back. I also though you could extend the cat 5 cable image from the logo at the bottom all the way around the rim of the t-shirt. I will try and edit that in when possbile.

We have a member of staff who has managed to catch a virus via bluetooth on his phone called CommWarrior We have searched the web but not really come up with a lot. The virus affects the Symbian OS and transmits vie bluetooth and MMS. It sounds nasty but if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. TA!

Thanks folks. Plenty to look at!

@ browolf when you click on that link you posted, it tells you that sygate personal filwall has been discontinued. Thanks anyway!

I used to supply the free version of Kerio personal firewall when staff wanted some protection on their home PCs but I have today visited the website http://www.kerio.com and I couldn't find the download anywhere. It looks like kerio have done a deal with mcafee and now they don't offer the free home version. There where some betas you could try, but not a goor idea for the average teacher to use. SO, can anyone suggest an alternative? A search in google brings up thousands, but I would prefer to go of your recommendations. Thanks!

I've had a go at home with v7 beta. Trying to get used to the tabs. Not sure what the 'verifying this website' is all about on the bottom bar.

This one works in cumbria http://media.putfile.com/playingwithyourballs

We have been getting dell for the last three years through a contract negotiated by Cumbria LEA. We too have recently had one laptop which twice on the run has had problems with the HD dying. Coincidence or something the teacher is doing? I'll leave that upto you. But anyway on both occasions there was no fuss about "well is it really the HD". The first time they ran a few tests over the phone, then sent a new HD out. The second time, I ran the tests first, then rang them up and told them about it. No fuss - a new HD on the doorstep next day. BTW I saw Ergo at BETT and I like the thing they do where the whole of the back casing of the tft on the laptop can have the school logo imprinted on it. I had a good look at it to see if it would easily come off, and it seemed to be well done. Could be a good deterrant from theft. Take a look: http://www.ergo.co.uk/services/screenbacks/index.html This is the kind of thing that will impress the teachers! You specify the guts so you get what you want, and the teachers get what they want!

Welcome to the UK Jonk! Thanks for putting Edugeek on your forums list too! Have you told all your friends about us? The more the merrier!