Questions on Notice

Sydney Region CC Training Day Term 3 2005

Why are the CC Days not hands-on?

The CC Days were never intended as hands-on days.

We are not trying to teach how to use specific applications. The range of skills amongst the group is enormous and we could never produce a hands-on session of any type that would interest everyone. The realities of providing hands-on for, in some cases, over fifty people are also a limiting factor.

The CC Days are specifically to provide you with regular, updated information that you need to do your job effectively.

In addition, details of useful products, websites and people are highlighted to assist schools in developing a way forward with ICT.

These can be followed up at school using school computers. Also the value of networking between CCs is very important.

Why are Apple-specific sessions so under-represented at these CC Days?

This is a misconception. Every attempt is made to ensure that all sessions are relevant to both Apple and Windows users. Even the industry presentations cover products suitable for both platforms.

Occasionally, Apple-only sessions have been run, such as an iLife session run in 2004, but the evaluation of such sessions has been poor because Apple-schools represent less than 20% of Sydney Region schools, therefore, 80% of the audience is not interested.

Similarly, if a Windows-only product like MemoriesOnTV is shown, the Apple schools are not interested.

Overall, it is hoped that all schools can get benefit from most parts of the day. Unfortunately with our venues, we do not have the luxury of breakout rooms and presenters able to attend all six days in order to provide for specific single-platform sessions. We are hoping to produce an additional Apple-only day in Term 4 or early next year.

SSPs seem to have a lesser T4L ratio than they had under CISP. Why?

Under CISP (1997-2003) SSPs received an allocation of 1 computer for every 3-4 students. An SSP with 80 students, would have received somewhere over 20 units over the three year cycle. Under T4L, SSPs were treated the same as all other schools, i.e. 1 unit for every 8.23 students, supplied over 4 years. So most SSPs would have received no more than 3 units this year.

It is expected that SSPs will be re-evaluated to fall under the small schools model (P5/P6) and receive an increased allocation in 2006. There has been no final decision on this as yet.

Is there a specific process that should be followed when lending school computers to staff to take home?

It must be remembered that we are discussing assets purchased using public funds. Firstly, ALL computers MUST be detailed on the school’s assets register and allocated an asset number. All “loans” of school assets to staff (or students), must be documented. There should be a loan register that details the asset number, the date borrowed, the borrower’s name and address where the asset will be held and the date returned.

Loans deemed as long term loans should be shown as such and loans where the computer is being regularly carried between school and home should also be so noted. All loans of school assets must be approved by the Principal. A stocktake of all assets should be taken annually, requiring all long term loans to be brought back to school and sighted. These are Audit requirements.

Another consideration that must be taken into account is the issue of Insurance. The Managed Fund covers equipment stolen from or damaged on School grounds (except for during school hours) and does not cover equipment taken home. The borrower’s Home Contents Insurance must cover the item while it is in the possession of the borrower.

Where can I get a sample School Internet Access Policy that I can adapt for my school?

http://www.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au

Sydney Region Website… Support… Technology… Downloads… A Sample School Internet User Access Policy

I'm a new Computer Coordinator. Is there any such thing as a "training manual"?

http://www.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au

Sydney Region Website… Support… Technology… ICT Links… Computer Coordinator Resource Manual (MS-Word format) Also have a look at the many resources on the TRIFFID Site (http://triffid.det.nsw.edu.au)

I have a stock pile of laser jet and ink cartridges. How can I dispose of them in an environmentally-friendly way?

The companies listed at this URL will come to your school and provide a box for used photocopier and printer toner and ink cartridges. They will then collect when the box is full. There is no charge for this service.

http://www.corporaterecycling.com.au/members_nsw.shtml

Using T4L ASI computers, many websites will only show the first page - to go any further freezes the machine. Why and how can we fix it?

This was a problem with the original DET SOE. If your ASI T4L PC is still taking 30 seconds on the startup screen to choose Windows XP or Rebuild Computer, you need to download and run UpdatePC.exe.

You get this from http://esdt.det.nsw.edu.au

NOTE: DO NOT run UpdatePC on ANY server or non-T4L computer!!!

Why is it with Windows 2003 Server that many directories on the server say they are disconnected when they are not?

The ASI T4L servers installed by Region during terms 2 and 3 used batch files for the login scripts. These scripts have proven to be unreliable and are being replaced with another scripting system.

Newer installations have already been updated.

We will be remotely converting all ASI T4L servers over the next few weeks to solve these problems.

Why is it necessary for Primary Schools to have so much security in WinXP/2003 Server? It just gets in the way of computer management.

Many schools that used to have Netware servers but have moved to Windows server are noticing a difference on the client side.

files or otherwise cause problems.

Previously, XP clients connecting to a Netware server were mainly configured as local administrator. This means anyone can do anything to the local computer, including websites that install adware and spyware and children (teachers?) who accidentally or deliberately delete With Windows server, the workstations can be locked more securely to prevent these sorts of problems. For users that require more access to the local PC, the security can be relaxed a little, but it’s better in the long run to get used to it.

How do you know when its time to upgrade your server?

and a suggestion - ask people to turn off mobile phones or at least silence them in meetings.

Good question – and suggestion! We have schools in Sydney region with servers that are over 8 years old and they are still functioning – these are typically old Netware or Apple servers.

These schools usually also have a newer server, but the old one still works, so it was kept on line, mainly for more storage space.

Most schools however would look to replacing their server after four or five years. The new T4L cycle is a good one for servers. The key reasons for replacing a server are lack of speed and lack of disk space. A four year old server may have had 40GB of disk space maximum. A new T4L workstation has 80GB!

Then comes the question, should you upgrade a server by adding more hard disks, RAM etc? It’s more a question of whether that money would be better invested on a new server with warranty.

An old generation iMac had its failed Hard Drive replaced recently and the OS reinstalled at an Apple service centre. iMovie was later installed from CD. When iMovie starts, it prompts the user that Apple Quicktime DV is not installed and iMovie will be unable to capture video from a DV camera. The existing version of Apple Quicktime was uninstalled and then reinstalled with the DV capture option ticked. This did not solve the problem.

Downloaded and installed the latest version of Apple Quicktime did not solve the problem either. What could the problem be?

This is a very specific question. General questions are more appropriate for Questions on Notice

We know the Year 6 Computer Skills Assessment was put on hold this year. Is the CSA likely to proceed next year, with both the pencil and paper and online assessment, just one OR with none of these?

MEMO DN/05/00187 from Trevor Fletcher

From 2005, the practical component of the CSA6 will be discontinued.

However, for 2005 only, the 2004 CSA6 practical test will be issued to schools during Term 2 as part of an electronic computer skills assessment package to be used locally. The on-demand package will assist teachers to assess student information communication technology skills. The package will provide teachers with a class summary report as well as provide students and parents with detailed certificates of student achievement.

During 2005, the CSA6 will be redeveloped along the lines recommended by the consultation groups ready for its reintroduction to primary schools in 2006. Following consultation with the Primary Principals’ Association and the NSW Teachers’ Federation, it has been agreed that the new CSA6 will be an on-demand, competency-based assessment delivered electronically.

From 2006, schools will be able to administer the test when and where it is most appropriate. This flexible approach will enable student assessment when a student is ready to be assessed in contrast to cohort assessment on a set day. Call Jim Sturgiss – 9707 6285 for more info.

Why has the DET adopted XP as the standard for all communications when not all computers in all schools have XP to read the data being sent eg. Principal's returns etc. Would it not be better to send with a common platform that all computers can access?

We assume you mean Office XP.

correspondence.

State Office provides correspondence using the tools it uses.

All schools have computers with the latest version of Office (Windows and Mac). Schools also have access to the latest versions of the MS Office suite through Software Sales for the price of the media only. Also note, all versions of Office since Office 2000 can open new versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents (unless newer features have been specifically used). This is not the same with Publisher, but Publisher is not being used for official Other documents are sent in the cross-platform PDF format which requires the free Acrobat Reader. Newer versions of Acrobat reader are available from the DET software downloads site.

Principals and/or the front office should maintain newer computers as more and more correspondence is sent via email and web links.

DV cameras are not detected on Win XP computers after being detected the first time. Problem occurred after the installation of SP2.

Problem is affecting all JVC and Panasonic DV Cameras. Different firewire cables, different computers running various versions of Win XP (including Pre SP2) and different cameras have been tried. Microsoft has a patch that is included in SP2 that is suppose to fix this problem but it has not. This patch is also available as a hotfix for SP1 installations. Camera manufactures are pointing the finger at Microsoft.

OK, thanks.

This site talks about this problem: http://www.rme-audio.com/english/techinfo/fw800sp2.htm

You should also be very careful when using firewire connections. Never plug or unplug a firewire cable when the camera is switched on. Always turn off the camera first. It is possible to “blow” the firewire port in the camera or the computer. More info here: http://www.wiebetech.com/pressreleases/FireWirePortFailures.htm

What are we to do with the web services kit that has been sent to the school? Is it still banned?

The WebServices project is still banned by the NSW Teachers Federation. However almost 1,000 schools have attended training.

untouched.

Schools have received funding for WebServices training recently, but the NSWTF is advising schools to leave those funds As for resources, put them in the Teacher Resource room. It is expected that WebServices will eventually be un-banned. 2006 pay claim?

http://www.nswtf.org.au/edu_online/73/websfund.html

How does Deep Freeze accommodate Windows and anti-virus updates?

You schedule Deep Freeze to turn itself off, reboot the PC, download the updates, turn itself back on and then shutdown. There are instructions for doing this at the Deep Freeze website.

http://www.faronics.com/whitepapers/DFEnt_SymantecAntivirus.pdf

http://www.faronics.com/whitepapers/DFEnt_MaintenanceAutologon.pdf

Why do the T4L laptops not come with Ghost imaging installed? Is there any way this can be changed, as it would help in rolling back setups or restoring when problems arise?

Because the hard disk in the laptop is only 30GB as opposed to the 80GB in the T4L desktops. There is simply not enough space to accommodate the local restore solution.

We have a boot CD which you can use to make a ghost image, and restore a ghost image to an ASI laptop. The image can be saved on another computer or a server.

The ISO image for the boot CD will be placed on the Sydney Region website. Note that the Rollout occurring from Semester 2 will no longer use Ghost to do the recovery image. The SOE v2.7 has moved to Altiris Rapid Deploy.

Why does Sydney Region NOT recommend the use of roaming profiles?

Roaming Profiles are a system under Windows 2000 and XP where the user environment is copied to and from a server and follows users no matter which computer they logon to. This user environment includes: •Desktop background, settings, icons and other objects placed on the desktop. •The contents of the My Documents folder. •User specific Start menu icons. •Cookies, Internet Explorer Cache and other temporary files •User specific Application settings and data. Roaming Profiles were developed to operate under conditions such as: •Good network infrastructure •Where all users typically use the same computer all day. •All OS versions are the same. •All Application versions are the same – especially MS Office. The realities of a School Environment mean that it is not ideal for the use of Roaming Profiles. In schools, up to 8~10 users a day can login and out of the same computer. Networks may not be optimal, and the synchronisation of Roaming profiles can be very slow. School computing environments usually consists of various OS and Application versions.

Unfortunately the use of Roaming Profiles has a number of disadvantages and issues: •Can lead to longer login and logout times •Excessive network traffic at the beginning and end of each lesson, •Problems relating to inconsistent versions of OS and Applications – especially MS Office.

There are other ways to achieve the major aims of profiles through the use of Group Policies, Folder Redirection and Logon scripts. These are recommended by the Region.

I liked this session. How do I go about submitting my own “Question on Notice?”

Glad you asked.

http://www.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au

Sydney Region Website… Support… Technology… For CCs… Click the Link on “Questions on Notice” You can only submit Questions from a school computer as this is a DET Intranet function. Remember, the questions you ask should be ones that would be of interest to other CCs.