kingswood

No problems installing Leopard; joining it to a Tiger OD Master, and no issues binding to an AD domain. I'm liking it. Paul

Perhaps if more businesses were using Macs there would be more of an issue with bugs in OS releases. But there is still a large install-base out there and they are vocal! An OEM copy of Windows isn't as expensive as you think. What anti-trust investigation are you referring to? I don't buy a Mac for iMovie- it's part of the excellent software package you can get with an Apple product for buying the hardware but isn't *tied* to the system (like IE and media player were). If comments are to be constructive, why are you referring to Apple users (or some of them) as "fanboys"? I didn't find the second part of your post constructive at all. In fact it was a little inflammatory! Paul

Our design department started using this process before the summer. I haven't had a chance to look at what they are doing with it, but I seem to remember them saying something about mugs and t-shirts. Could find out for you if you like? Paul

As with sites that trash Vista the way they do, this one is no different in that it is a *subjective* evaluation of an OS. In other words the writer should say "in my opinion" or "in my experience". I could say that I have been running Leopard since release and it has been perfect (which it has). Airport is fast and fine; Safari has yet to crash; networking is fine; application support for me has covered everything I used in Tiger. I could then say that because of my experience with Leopard Vista sucks the big one! Of course that isn't true. Vista and Leopard are (for me) pretty much equal on looks and features. What adds value to Leopard for me are things like Bootcamp (letting me run Vista on my MBP alongside Leopard); Time Machine (which is excellent for me); and spaces. There are improvements in speed and the finder is a great step forward (though not without its faults). The point about migration problems is a valid one. It's a mature attitude that admits each operating system release no matter the software company that pushes it out will have issues. It's no different in the world of Mac to Windows all the way through to Linux and Unix. It's a strange mind that believes all the marketing hype and gets annoyed when Apple or Microsoft "don't deliver the goods" on release day (secret goods or otherwise). The real world says avoid the marketing hype and actually use the damned thing before jumping up and down and ranting and raving. The author also comments that the 300 (or so) feature updates in Leopard add complexity to the mix. Some may well do that. But that also is the nature of the beast. In my opinion both Microsoft and Apple can never please all the people all the time- and nor can they leave their respective operating systems in some kind of feature stasis from fear of making migrations from older systems a little painful or making the overall system slightly more complex. I too have come a long way in my own enjoyment of Vista (I was just looking at stacks in the OS yesterday and wondering whether Apple borrowed them from MS or not!). Vista is a very nice operating system. I enjoy using it and think Office 2007 on Vista is a very powerful combination for any school or business. But I am a Mac user by choice. It has all the features I need, and the software I use. It's stable, fast, and maturing nicely. Use whatever OS you want and enjoy the eXPerience! Of course all that is simply my subjective opinion Paul

Who would define the criteria for this mark Tony? What standards would a school have to match to get it etc? Paul

That would be my plan too- Leopard Server and clients in and configured by the end of the summer. Paul

Yep- can certainly be done. In fact I tend to test a group policy at home and then migrate it to work if it is sound. Here's a good introduction to the whole thing: http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/fc94a947-2ab7-4551-8027-64017b3322f81033.mspx?mfr=true Paul

We now deploy SIMS.net through Ghost images and it works fine. Enjoy!

Hi. Good choice of certification. I completed the Cisco Networking Academy but never took the exam (it was a few years ago now). When I was studying the course I was always told to grab the study guide by Wendell Odom- you can find the new study set here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Certification-Library-640-802-Guide/dp/1587201836/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/203-7842877-4411902?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191615619&sr=8-5 His book is definitely the best I have seen though deep. Todd Lamle also writes a good study guide and any router simulation software packages you can get would be good. If you can get a cheaper 1600 series router (three if you don't mind the cost) and at least two 1900 series or above (25xx series are better because of the new VLAN component in the exam) switches. It's a fantastic course and will teach you a bucket load about networking in general, and Cisco routing and protocols in particular. Enjoy it and let us know how you get on! Paul

Fantastic idea. The amount of ICT teachers I have had almost argue the point with me is astounding. I mean- throw away my MCP and HNC etc and just hand over the reigns to a teacher who because they have "ICT" in their title think that being an administrator on the network is some kind of power right. I like your idea of filter views. Of course another way of doing it is by setting permissions for a group of your creation (teacher_admins or whatever) and then mapping a drive in a logon script so that teachers who need access to home areas can get it within the limitation of their own accounts. I had this method suggested to me this past month. Great idea though Tony- thanks! Paul

I like the idea of Classlink/TS and laptops. If anyone is using something like TS or Classlink over wireless could you PM me with your experiences? I am currently investigating options for our new build and we are planning on having lots of laptops...yuck.

Stress. Yes. I train in martial arts and am studying a degree- so lots of things outside work mean I am distracted. Try and find something outwith IT to enjoy- nothing techie related. That's why the people who exercise are relieving so much stress- letting out some physical response will always trump drinking or tablets. The body releases chemicals that relax you naturally. Plus you lose weight etc. Not a bad thing. I am currently training to take part in our national Karate championships so when I get home work takes a very deep back seat. Work is for work. Outside is for living. Get out there and enjoy something (or someone Paul

STP is the way to go- but make sure there are no hubs around somewhere- makes for a headache http://cisco-engineer.com/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=1 Paul

Now if it was a JET 4.0 engine DB you could follow this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303528 We are having the same issue with the errors Tony and we run SQL 2000 right now (waiting for the update to 2005- should be on the 19th of this month). I'm not sure that the most of the issues you saw were anything to do with MSDE, because when I left work yesterday Allan was still applying patches to fix whatever caused the 89 errors we got re-running the census check before today. On first run we got over 70 errors (same as yours); we fixed them. Re-ran and got no errors. Great (we thoughts) all ready! We re-ran to make sure (validation process) and got the 89 errors (more than before). We have a print out of the first successful run to prove to ourselves that it actually did work... We are down to 15 warnings which apparently is OK. But that's before doing the same thing today to get it sent off. And Allan isn't in- and I'm no DB admin either. Hopefully the move to SQL 2005 will sort a lot of this out. Good luck mate!! Paul

Obviously this may just be our experience of Capita/.ICT support but we have found them helpful, prompt, and willing to investigate and work with us to find solutions to even the dumbest problems we come across weekly. No service provider will ever match the expectation of its users. We work in ICT. We should know that! But for me Capita have been excellent and always willing to help. And that has meant the difference between sweating heavily for a long time or surviving another hectic week of outages and issues. Paul

Hi. I use this: http://homepage.mac.com/holtmann/eidac/software/smcfancontrol2/index.html See if that helps. Also you might want to check for firmware updates for your model here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303880 And also look at resetting the power management controller: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303446 You could also turn off the iMac, unplug all cables and let it sit for an hour or two and then reconnect the cables and switch on. I have heard that this can reset the fans. If none of that works you may have a faulty iMac. Contact Apple support and see what they say. HTH Paul

I'm sorry but most of that simply isn't true. Whilst the argument still prevails from techies (usually because they don't understand Mac OS X) that it is "only for design shops" or "not for the enterprise" or even "more expensive and harder to support" alternatives to Windows will not gain ground. And that's the same for Linux too. It simply isn't true. The only basis for an argument you really have is that to dual boot your licensing costs will go up. Storage is not an issue if you invest in some kind of NAS device, and the point about doubling software deployment methods/costs is really a mute one. How many times have you had to jump through tiny hoops to get software running on your Windows network? I haven't had to worry about software deployment on OS X since getting ARD. Period. And if I want to I can create MetaPackages and get them out or I can put them into an image. Same as I would using Prism and Ghost together. And how long does it take you to set up a backup device??? :?

All the very best. An excellent thing to do as well! Paul

Yes. We had a fantastic round of quotes from them recently, and I actually couldn't believe that Dell managed to creep in there (albeit with systems not as well configured) and win the bid. I will be contacting Mikesoft again in the near future to give them another chance at supplying us. The sales team were fantastic and I felt a little sad that it didn't go their way. So I would have no hesitation now in saying that you should at least have a chat with them. They are very flexible and always pleasant. Paul

sadly the wording from RM is looking like they'll be limiting the number of people TUPE'd - Russ/Tony are trying to clarify to what extent RM intend to TUPE and in what circumstances they'll of offer their own contracts. http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10970&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 Thanks for the link- I missed most of that conversation so it's valuable to look over and see what opinions are on this. I think you are correct. If you look at recent reports on BSF (from the BBC) the whole process is screwed. If you have been affected by BSF at your school you will know better than I that this is true. The goal- whether they state it so or not- is to move ICT support to their managed services and staff. If the goal were to keep local staff employed at their current level of pay (or better- dependent on "impact" and "skills") then the cost would be way too high for RM or any other managed provider and would defeat the goal of ICT services in BSF! Some of the questions you noted were missing from the report- so it would be good to read RM's response to those particular items. More direct questions, straight answers, and more clarity from government and unions would be a good place to start. Paul

Congratulations! Enjoy the journey!!

Well, I have read through the BSF report that Tony knocked up in response to the meeting with RM and others. I have to say that it doesn't sound convincing. In summary: TUPEd jobs are secure for the length of the contract - though this may change ("no bid at this time specifies that this is different"). Pensions will be carried forward Wage matching will be in place- compared to the relevant RM structure. Salaries based on current work and skills and "the impact you have", and those with "exceptional skills" or "high impact" will have this reflected in their pay. No salaries will be cut or capped. Flexible working- often as NMs and technicians we (out of the love of the job work extra hours outwith our normal working hours. It seems RM are saying this will be paid "at normal rate". Union response and involvement, innovative schools, and the use of open source software seem to be points which RM are taking a wider view of or are in need of collaboration on. I liked that RM were very positive about the need to keep support staff in place to act as enablers of the BSF vision. This is surely encouraging- whether TUPEd or in place as normal through the school in direct employment. Re-grading and reductions in staffing are balances to this promising outlook though- RM seem to at the same time hold the caveat that "it is hard to claim that all support staff remain in their jobs". As Tony mentions in the report, evidence is needed either way. I'm not sure about the terms used to reference TUPEd jobs and length of contract- it seems too open ended. I wonder whether RM will change this contractual promise when reality bites and they need to be more flexible about re-engineering the structure of ICT Support within the BSF paradise that will be? I am also not sure what is meant by the vague phrases that were used in reference to wages- according to "impact" and skills levels. Who will set these skill levels and who measures "impact" and by what standards?? It would be good to see far more union involvement in this process to act as a balance to the whole. It seems that RM are concerned about the lack of consultation and collaboration from unions, but has anyone asked the unions about BSF directly? The emphasis in the report on making sure to read the fine detail and contrast that with current levels of service and support requirements is sound advice. I know that Tony has argued for some time that being a technician or NM in a school should (must?) mean more than a technical source at times of need; it has to show impact on teaching and learning. Analysing the terms of managed services that attempt (for whatever reasons) to reduce the skill level of support on site and having written into contracts the impact support has on teaching and learning might help keep this to a minimum, but I can't help feeling that managed service providers use this a ruse to gently nudge the more competent out the door and open the way for cheeper support staff with less experience and more company connection. Anyway, there is a lot of work to do and for some people this whole process has no doubt cost them their sanity already. The fact that RM- as one of preferred bidders and suppliers to BSF- has opened up even this much is a bonus. However it seems to me that they are struggling to not only justify their market lead in this new area, but also finding it hard to honestly explain and justify how they can make it work for existing staff and schools. And that is really what this is about. Cheers Tony for the updates- good work on the report. Keep it up! Paul

Haven't got a script that does it, but I do use something called "Agent Ransack" to search both staff and student areas for MP3s etc. It finds them by username and you can take screenshots etc. I believe the software is free. Been using it for nearly two years with great effect! Edit: Duh! Are you using Server 2003 R2? Because if you are you can run reports using FRSM. And you can screen those files too. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/storage/default.mspx http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/0b7566a4-ace9-4872-9246-86d26573983a1033.mspx?mfr=true What I do is run a file screen on .EXE files that users have in their home areas. I will have to run one myself on music files too just to see if it works like it says on the tin. Paul

I didn't see that as flaming at all Tony! I think it is good that someone like yourself can get in there on our behalf and see what's really going on. Now I would *love* to come along to the meetings myself, but I have to say that I honestly don't have the time! So it's great that by proxy you are there and feeding the information back to us (no doubt out of your own time too). The report is going to be interesting to say the least. Now I am off to nurse a poorly tummy...had a nice meal out on Sunday that tuned out to be not so nice Chicken...tikka...yuck! Paul

I think the only arguments that may hold some truth are those focused on management of the system should you leave, interoperability with Windows 2003 Server and services (and this would be a concern SIMS-side obviously), and collaboration with outside providers (though this is a long shot argument because I assume you have been choosing partnerships with vendors that share your open source goals?). You could attack this so many ways that it's stupid- and I'm not a fan of Linux in education for the same reasons county outlined to you. However, you have made a significant technical investment in the technologies for now and want to defend that implementation, so hopefully lots of people on this forum will step in (Geoff?). In any case, I would look at getting Red Hat on your side first of all. If you look at this page on their main site: http://www.redhat.com/rhel/server/ At the bottom they give a pretty good run-down of their interoperability and security etc. I would even go further and ask them directly for their assessment of the risks and then perhaps offer to switch your Linux-based system over to Red Hat entirely and therefore nullify a few of their arguments in one go: risk, security, and interop. Further to this, if you have a Linux company such as Red Hat behind you acting as support and consultancy the other arguments county listed become more mute. I guess where I focus is in the appropriation of support and interoperability services. You might be different and you may want to keep your Gentoo systems. In that case use the same methodology and attack the thing that way- contacting Gentoo and Linux sepcialists local to you for help and advice. I don't want this to be too long. I don't post here much anymore, but I hope I have said something that prompts some creative thinking. And I hope it goes well for you. Keep us all informed!! Paul