garethEds

Morning all, Last night my print server decided to restart for some reason. Due to this happening several windows updates were installed. These seem to have knackered our pCounter Embedded software and none of our MFDs can log on to the server. Requests are timing out. pCounter Embedded is provided by KOnica Minolta. pCounter is the standard software (v2.87) Has anyone seen this issue and can advise? Server is 2012r2 Trying to find support from Konica - but they are not the best. Thanks Gareth

Apple have missed so much with their configurator tool. There is so much I would like to switch off - but it seems they fail to see it. I wonder who we contact at Apple to suggest things?

Oh darn. It was turned off. Any idea where in Configurator 2 I can set this to be on? Cannot find it at all. Not the best piece of software ever. GJE

Afternoon, I've been messing around with some iPads and Apple Configurator 2 and think I have it sussed (it's good things and it's bad things). However one thing I cannot get to do is set the iPad clock. For some strange reason at 15:09 today (just now) the three iPads I have re-prepared and applied config profiles to have their clock set at 07:22. I've checked their settings and can confirm that I have the Time and Date setting set to Auto. Even when I connect them to the wifi and log into our captive portal the clock does not change. They are connected to an iMac which has the correct time but alas nothing is happening. Any help appreciated. Cheers Gareth

DEP? The Device Enrollement Programme? But don't you need an MDM with that too? I'm trying to find one tool to do it all. GJE

What do people use for iPad deployment? We use a combination of Meraki and Apple configurator. I had a go with AC2 this week (I was bored) and was not impressed. So much potential yet falls short. Cannot hide icons, cannot set homepages etc. Am I missing something? Do I need a solution like Meraki or is AC2 enough? How do others prepare their iPads? We've only 30 or so. Cheers Gareth

Afternoon, I've been asked to look into the provision of Screen Reading software for pupils who will be sitting their exams on laptops. One would assume the exam board could offer advice - but alas they do not. Are any schools out there using such software? If yes - what. Hope someone out there can help, Thanks Gareth

Apparently it wasn't. I've had to get the login details from the Office. It now appears - but as a separate job. English : Eteach - ICT Network Manager Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr 643022 Welsh : Eteach - Rheolwr Rhwydwaith TGCh Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr 642241 Apologies for the confusion. Gareth

English version now up. Apologies.

Thanks everyone so far. Mrs E doesn't like it - but it's not her bucket list. This will be the first and last time. How long? Google Jake Ball (Welsh rugby player) and see his. My hair is already shaved short. My stubble is longer at the moment.

One for the male Edugeekers (please correct me if I am assuming too much) - but as I work through my bucket list which I made over a year ago, I've reached the item on the list that notes I'm going to grow a beard. Never done this before. I've gone a week without shaving but usually it gets too itchy and it has to go - but now this is it. I am into my second week and the growth is a mixture of red/ginger and white/grey. Who out there has beards? How do you look after them? How to you cope with not wanting to shave it off? I've passed the itchy but but now have the sharp ends sticking into my lips. From my research last night I read that I need to grow it for 4 weeks before I start shaping. Beard noobie here - so any advice is welcome. Or shall I just shave it off? Gareth

I'm sure I read (was told) of a local school around my area which started considering charging for packed lunches - something to do with waste and recycling. Or did I dream it? Not sure how I know about this - so it could have been a dream. Yes - confirmed - but it wasn't a school but an authority. GJE

Why not setup a local WAMP server and install Wordpress onto it. Create/Download/Buy a theme and you have your ability to customise your home page. I'm sure there are plenty of examples via Google out there. If it's a local installation there is no reason why you cannot link it via LDAP to your AD and let staff update their own areas. I looked at Wordpress for an intranet once but just didn't have the time. Gareth

Afternoon All, We congratulate @rich_tech on his new job with a healthcare company. Leaving us in the lurch to find someone new. ;-) - He is sat next to me whilst I write this before everyone get's going..... ;-))))) The job advert will be going live, hopefully this evening on eTeach (I will post the link later). It's a Level 4 job under the Swansea City Council Pay Scheme. Richard's job currently involves as its main duties: Network Management / ICT Support of a busy welsh language comprehensive school (~800 pupils) and its staff (~60 staff). Covering around 500 devices (PCs, Servers, Chromebooks, iPads):- Technologies in use throughout the job are:- Virtualisation (Hyper-V setup with multi vms with Veeam backup) Windows Server 2008R2 - 2012R2 Windows Desktop Support - 7 at the moment but looking at 10 Microsoft Office 2010 onwards and Office365 support Hwb Management (Welsh Government Office365 Tenancy) Google Apps for Education Administration - (including chromebook management) Apple Device Deployment and Management (including iPad imaging with Apple Configurator/Meraki enrolment) Active Directory / Group Policy Management Internet Filtering - LEA provided SmoothWall AV Equipment Maintenance and Installation Exchange 2007 Administration Planned works in line with Change Management and Maintenance needs of the school Print System Management (pCounter/Embedded/EveryonePrint) Network Management - DHCP/DNS/IP Ranges (including access control to various systems) CCTV and Security Equipment Management Wifi Management (Keys / Liaise with LEA) Telephone System Management (Toshiba Strategy) / VOIP on the horizon Support of Various Educational Software Packages Fault Diagnosis and Remedy Inventory Management / Asset tagging Working with the LEA as second line support to the school on certain aspects Liaise with suppliers when and as needed Answerable / Support to the Line Manager @garethedmondson) - the genius that he is. Moral support to the Line Manager Second decision maker to the Line Manager Hours are currently under discussion. Any questions - ask @garethedmondson directly via DM. Cheers everyone, Gareth

Loved the old BBS systems. Used to hang around on the Arcade BBS. Hard to believe they still keep their archive going @ The Arcade BBS Home Page - I get the feeling that it is still going - but am not sure. Wow - my name is still in the archive: http://arcade.demon.co.uk/filepages/file73.htm I remember trying to set my own up using ArcBBS Ohh the days. Gareth

I'll do it :-) I love messing with WordPress. Out of interest, why can you not do it yourself? Gareth

I don't know. I've not used it. It was recommended by the LEA. You buy your android box and go from there. I'm sure there is a free version and one you pay for with a bit more functionality. I was told to setup the main Google Docs account that you are going to use with it first. I can ask if you want me to. Gareth

Whoops - that went straight to my email login. Doh me.

We've been looking at this which uses Android devices: http://www.digitalsignage.com/ It was recommended to me by someone at the LEA. Gareth

No. I never bothered. I didn't take the Windows 10 project much further as I had to concentrate on the teaching. I may look into it in the near future when the exam groups leave for the Summer. I'm happy with Windows 7 :-) Gareth

Thanks for that @3s-gtech - I don't have access to the backend systems. The whole system is stored on Azure and I've not been given access to it. ANy ideas how I would check? Gareth

I'm inheriting the system :-) I'm also in the process of sorting out child themes. We run the Enfold theme but it was installed as a one fit alls. I've managed to get our child theme installed but need to experiment with moving the 10 sites over to it. It's coming - but slow. Gareth

Morning all, Just want to check out some stuff this morning. Hopefully someone can help. I've started supporting the LEA Wordpress MU installation. We have around 15 sites running on an older version of Wordpress. It is currently 4.2.4 but not the latest (4.4.2). The Dashboard is telling me to upgrade but I don't want to do it in case it messes everyone else's site up. I also wonder whether I need to do it as everything seems to be working fine. Anyhow can I press update but only have it apply to my website? I'm happy for my site to be the test site. Then once I am happy it works without issue on my site - upgrade all the othe sites one at a time to the newest version. Cheers Gareth

YOu could always give the main guy an email.. [email protected] Tell him I sent you. Nice chap. Gareth

Yes it is getting interesting and because I use my real name on Edugeek I am backing out. I have my opinions and they are not popular. Don't stop on my behalf though. Gareth