C2k Help
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: JMcB on November 09, 2011, 01:01:22 PM
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Its now November, has anyone got any news about the New Contract?
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I thought it had been postponed for another couple of months but I cant remember where I heard that or, in fact, I dont know if that is true.
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I had heard from somewhere (cant remember where now..) that they were waiting til the end of this month to tell us all who they chose for the new contract. I also heard (from the same source) that the decision has already been made, they just want to keep everyone in suspense. Kinda like a gigantic 300 million pound quiz show.
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also hearing rumours that the decision has already been made but its being kept a secret :o
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Heard something similar about the release date the end of November, except in my version the contract is for
?500 million, a nice Christmas present for somebody :chris3:
Anyway whats 1 or 2 hundred million amongst friends :o
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Yeah heard to the contract has been agreed just needs signing off
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Any wonder the NI executive are broke handing out good money for what? Fingers crossed that it will at least be some improvement to the system, but you live in hope.
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Heard that the contract had been awarded to Fujitsu-Siemens but Northgate are contesting it as proper procedures were'nt followed. ???
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Heard that the contract had been awarded to Fujitsu-Siemens but Northgate are contesting it as proper procedures were'nt followed. ???
LMAO sounds like C2K alright!!!!!
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nah it would be more like C2k if they handed the contract to Toys-R-Us.
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nah it would be more like C2k if they handed the contract to Toys-R-Us.
Where did you get such top secret information Si :police:
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I have shares in V-Tech. The company told me they were approached by an educational organisation named C2k about supplying hardware to an entire province.
Apparently we are all going to get a InnoTab each.
http://www.vtechkids.com/
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Apparently we are all going to get a InnoTab each.
http://www.vtechkids.com/ (http://www.vtechkids.com/)
We can only hope at least it would be better that an IPad 2 ;D
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yea, wouldn't be hard.
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How long is the new contract going to be?
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I was told 10 Years
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How long is the new contract going to be?
Probably 50 pages :laugh:
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How long is the new contract going to be?
Probably 50 pages :laugh:
lol :Clap:
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I had been told ages ago that Fujitsu were out of the race and it was down to Northgate and HP. Something about Fujitsu not being able to fulfill the full terms of the contract of something.
Wouldn't be surprised if they got it.
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Its kinda funny the way C2k are deemed to have made the decision but won't tell anyone what it is. Its not like them to stick two fingers up at everyone who has dealings with them...
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I was chatting to someone from C2K last week who used to come into the school she said that the announcement of the contract winner has been put back at least 3-5 weeks, so the wait continues...
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I heard Fujitsu from a source who will remain anonymous. Are Fujitsu in with BT and HP for the bid?
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Think it's Northgate, HP and Fujitsu but I'm not 100% on that
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What I meant was is it a combined bid from Fujitsu, BT and HP?
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Oh right sorry I misunderstood :-\ I'm not sure
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Still not sure how Fijitsu managed to get the contract if they weren't in the running. It was meant to be only HP and Northgate left at the end of the bidding...
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Still not sure how Fijitsu managed to get the contract if they weren't in the running. It was meant to be only HP and Northgate left at the end of the bidding...
Someone got a nice big back hander
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Is it true that Northgate got the contract? One of the guys told me just before Christmas but I haven't heard anything since.
Mystic
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Was just thinking about that myself. Have heard nothing.
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Have heard from a couple of different sources here that Fujitsu lost the contract and it has been awarded to Northgate, guess we'll have to wait on the offical version though.
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I've heard from a few people at Northgate in the last few days that Fujitsu and HP employees have been told that Northgate have been declared the preferred bidder but there's no official word yet as you know.
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Ive been told that Northgate have got it and they are looking to bring in a "Cloud system" in to place.
Oh No....Bye Bye bandwidth....lol
(http://soffrontblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/bad-cloud-computing.jpg)
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That will mean they will need to reboot their own servers when they crash, maybe we will get a fully managed service afterall ( i doubt it)
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Ive been told that Northgate have got it and they are looking to bring in a "Cloud system" in to place.
Heard this as well. Just wondering what will happen to local installs?? We are running Autocad installed locally on 40 machines here.
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Aw there is still good money for old rope then :o
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Is this new contract due to be in service as of April? Or did I just imagine hearing that somewhere.
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i heard april to but could be months or years after that as that could just be the date of the hand-over
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Yeah suppose that's true things never run on time when it comes to C2K
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also if they are going to replace all the kit it will take months for it to be tested and then rolled out to all the schools
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Yeah that's true - we're looking to order some stuff as well but have been advised to hold off until everything is sorted out :-\
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2084726/OnLive-Desktop-New-free-iPad-app-lets-use-Windows-Apples-tablet.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2084726/OnLive-Desktop-New-free-iPad-app-lets-use-Windows-Apples-tablet.html)
This is what will do us out of a job. :o
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what the hell you doin readin the Mail?
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Getting my daily TOWIE fix obviously.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2084726/OnLive-Desktop-New-free-iPad-app-lets-use-Windows-Apples-tablet.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2084726/OnLive-Desktop-New-free-iPad-app-lets-use-Windows-Apples-tablet.html)
This is what will do us out of a job. :o
Lets be honest here, yes sounds and looks like the way forward and a interesting development, however what are the likely hood that C2K would ever employ such a radical platform, when you take a look at their LearningNi and other platforms I doubt if they would have the vision to take such a logical and productive path into such an environment. They will probably develop some poor platform and call it CloudNI without testing it and expect schools in NI to use it because they developed it and all using a max of a 2MB connection. Makes me laugh, I cant understand with so many free cloud platforms such as DropBox why they have these blocked, and the kids only have something like a 50MB user account folder, and DropBox offers 2GB free. All these arguments about backing up etc, surely wouldn't be any different than the kids using their USB pens because there accounts cant handle the amount of data they need in the 21st century ?
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they should give us the budget and contract and we can go mental with it ( few nice holidays, cars, computers of ebay, bt infinity , proper wage package - NI ends up with a decent computer system)
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When the Contract dose kick in and things start to get sorted is our beloved forum going to change 2
c2khelp.co.uk to ENnihelp.co.uk
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lol I never even thought of that.
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they should give us the budget and contract and we can go mental with it ( few nice holidays, cars, computers of ebay, bt infinity , proper wage package - NI ends up with a decent computer system)
Could you imagine the mish-mash the schools would end up with. Much as I am not a huge fan of C2K's inflexibity, most schools don't have the know-how to do it themselves.
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Could you imagine the mish-mash the schools would end up with. Much as I am not a huge fan of C2K's inflexibility, most schools don't have the know-how to do it themselves.
I agree up to a point However if the ICT Technicians had the final decision it might work :-\
But the rest of the staff would get involved committees would be formed somebody's uncle would know somebody who he met on a bus who thinks he saw a great computer on some website, and like C2k the people that should decide would be sidelined in favour for the latest piece of junk available that met the buzzwords at the moment. IE Cloud, 5G, Netbook, Flux Capacitor Etc ::)
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I have always thought a hybrid of c2k and schools own networks (calling them legacy is a bit of an insult really) is the ideal way to go. It can give schools flexibility in what they offer and achieve. This also requires the school having a competent ICT tech of course ^^
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I had a NorthGate engineer in last week and he more or less said that NorthGate were the preferred bidder. Also that NorthGate had invested in more office space outside Newtownabbey for an extra 150 people and I said why that? his reply was that since the new contract involved the new provider to take over the SIMS end of the contract these posts would be TUPE over to Northgate (including other areas), because the C2K are losing a whack of their budget then it seems that they are transffering staff over to Northgate. Not to be quoted, this could be a wooden spoon engineer that I am quoting.
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Heard that from directly from the C2K guys, some are looking to leave, Northgate only have to TUPE them across for a period of time and then they can get rid of them afaik. The C2K guys are probably on a lot better money and have better conditions than the Northgate staff.
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This is were I show my ignorance - TUPE?
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Transfer from one company to another but keep your existing terms and conditions.
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One of our C2K reps told me exactly the same thing about them moving over to Northgate and that techies workload may increase on top of what we have now. But I suppose we won't know for sure until we hear officially.
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One of our C2K reps told me exactly the same thing about them moving over to Northgate and that techies workload may increase on top of what we have now. But I suppose we won't know for sure until we hear officially.
In the name of Allah, Abraham, Krishna, Jehovah and Jesus what more could they possibly pile upon us fatigue techies already. Give me strength and to think this whole C2K project was meant to eliminate us in house techies. Well i suppose the more and more C2K make a mess of things the longer it keeps moi in a job. We should have our jobs evaluated after this contract update and our job titles changes to C2K troubleshooters. I am having nightmares already about NorthGates cloud solution I just hope it isn't as pathetic as their online documents area and LearningNI. Life is good praise Allah, Abraham, Krishna, Jehovah and Jesus :afro:
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One of our C2K reps told me exactly the same thing about them moving over to Northgate and that techies workload may increase on top of what we have now. But I suppose we won't know for sure until we hear officially.
In the name of Allah, Abraham, Krishna, Jehovah and Jesus what more could they possibly pile upon us fatigue techies already. Give me strength and to think this whole C2K project was meant to eliminate us in house techies. Well i suppose the more and more C2K make a mess of things the longer it keeps moi in a job. We should have our jobs evaluated after this contract update and our job titles changes to C2K troubleshooters. I am having nightmares already about NorthGates cloud solution I just hope it isn't as pathetic as their online documents area and LearningNI. Life is good praise Allah, Abraham, Krishna, Jehovah and Jesus :afro:
What about Budda ???
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Or the Force??
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Hi Guys
Atleast give it a chance, reading from the info on google talking about upto 200mb lines into schools, and from what I have been told the solution NIS are putting in place is very impressive. No that anything would be better than the RM front end. Bring on a complete windows solution!
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I do not doubt that the specs will be impressive but when will they be implemented. Not at the start of the contract, they will be phased in during the length of the contract. (well I think the broadband increse will work that way).
More work being pushed onto techies in school - thanks but I have enough to do with the 'Legacy' or as I prefer to call it the newer computer system.
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Don't like this bit - 'The new infrastructure will also allow teachers and students to gain access to the network and resources securely via personal devices such as smart phones, iPads, tablet PCs and laptops'.
http://www.northgate-is.com/view/news/item/1162 (http://www.northgate-is.com/view/news/item/1162)
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I was reading up on the information from google this morning as well. Staff and pupils being able to access the network from those various devices listed on the Northgate website will probably end up being a nightmare - at the start anyway.
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you think they would inform us first before the media lol... will be interesting to see how it pans out
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you think they would inform us first before the media lol... will be interesting to see how it pans out
Sure start as you mean to go on, ignore the schools, the actual users of the system.
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you think they would inform us first before the media lol... will be interesting to see how it pans out
Why would they inform us mushrooms? lol
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Just read the Northgate blurb on their web http://www.northgate-is.com/view/news/item/1162 (http://www.northgate-is.com/view/news/item/1162)
I can smell the bulls**t from here. :o
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The new infrastructure will also offer greater device connectivity - allowing teachers and students to gain access to the network and resources securely via personal devices such as smart phones, IPads, tablet PCs and laptops. Broadband provision will be improved with schools being provided with up to 200Mb.
:-X :-X :-X :-X
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DEPRESSED
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The five year contract will see Northgate design, implement and manage a completely new and innovative Private Cloud (Insert missing words) environment for all schools in NI, providing secure access to resources online, 24 x 7 from a wide range of devices.
Just realised that there's two words missing from this - 'cuckoo land'.
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I'd like to see what this 'wide range of devices' is. Because this is cloud computing, it shouldn't matter what device you use to access it. I have a funny feeling however that to access this cloud, Northgate will be requiring schools to buy access licences for devices connecting to it. Or some other asshattery that will cripple schools budgets.
They have also been green lighted as a 'prefferred supplier' which means the Education boards think its just fine and dandy that Northgate can slap a 100% mark-up on any item they sell to schools. Fantastic.
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Hi Guys
Atleast give it a chance, reading from the info on google talking about upto 200mb lines into schools, and from what I have been told the solution NIS are putting in place is very impressive. No that anything would be better than the RM front end. Bring on a complete windows solution!
I'm with christy on this, even though she's clearly the mole as she's only posted for the first time today and has been registered for several years.
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Some interesting reading here
http://www.techmarketview.com/ukhotviews/archive/northgate-wins-northern-ireland-education-contract
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This seems to be their Cloud based system
https://www.northgate-academy.com/RegForm/UI/RegistrationForm.aspx
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Some interesting reading here
http://www.techmarketview.com/ukhotviews/archive/northgate-wins-northern-ireland-education-contract
Costing at least 10s of Millions of pounds, Why, what for? I doubt we will notice any difference from Northgate the same old churn of the mill rubbish, with Wireless laptops that dont work, User accounts that can take decades to get logged on (with only 50Mb storage space) and prices of products at least 3 times there value, I wonder why this is allowed to go on with all these government budget cuts it makes no sense to continue on with a overpriced contract who bankrupt the schools when buying IT equipment? :'(
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And wouldn't you know it can't create an account - doesn't work lol
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http://www.northgate-managedservices.com/our-services/service/6/managed-cloud-services/ (http://www.northgate-managedservices.com/our-services/service/6/managed-cloud-services/)
And more here
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I suppose anyone reading this thread will think we're IT dinosaurs, afraid of change and the future. I think if we had no exposure to what life has been like with a managed service through C2k we would probably welcome these changes with open arms, always wary, but willing to give it a chance. I think with us it's a case of 'once bitten, twice shy'. But we've seen what a managed service is like, it's advantages and disadvantages, and will always be sceptical of it.
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Cant login either :o
Aww well maybe it will be alright on the night ::)
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A lot of this makes sense - I can see why SIMS would be better as a cloud based service, as well as Office-type applications.
But there is no way the schools can go entirely thin client - I can't see Sibelius, or Solidworks etc working across a WAN line - not to mention Moving Image Arts.
We had guys out last year surveying for the optic fibre link, and they said it would be a year-long project to get all the schools cabled, so our SIMS servers and backup units will stay until then.
The biggest problem will be the total reliance on the fibre link to the data centre, and also the capability of the filtering system. If we think it hasn't been reliable with a 2MB link, how is it going to manage with 100MB?
If anything, our job will be busier because there will be more devices linked into the system.
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Have any of you tried signing up to that cloud system at
https://www.northgate-academy.com/RegForm/UI/RegistrationForm.aspx
I know it's only supposed to be a free trial but doesn't seem to be working too well for me ???
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Have any of you tried signing up to that cloud system at
https://www.northgate-academy.com/RegForm/UI/RegistrationForm.aspx
I know it's only supposed to be a free trial but doesn't seem to be working too well for me ???
Anyone tried it on a non-C2K machine?
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Not working for me on either C2k or Legacy :o
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So it IS going to be pay-per-user....so they get 300 million to set this up and fleece the schools for using the thing?
Good business I suppose...
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Why do it this way - why not stick everyone thru google??
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Why do it this way - why not stick everyone thru google??
Because even Northgate cannot charge ?300 million just to connect to Google Docs. :(
OR CAN THEY ;D
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Just wondering when we will be told what existing machines will work on the new contract
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Just wondering when we will be told what existing machines will work on the new contract
Probably at the last minute as usual - we're always the last to find out!
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Just wondering when we will be told what existing machines will work on the new contract
Probably about the time the lorry arrives with any new kit.
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If its Cloud based anything should work as they say in their blurb "personal devices such as smart phones, IPads, tablet PCs and laptops" ;D
However as we all know what is promised and what you get can be different ???
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its Cloud based. We won't need any new kit. Just the big 200Mb BB (notice they word that 'up to 200Mb/s' - very few schools will actually get this I am sure).
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I was told all the new HP ones are win7 compatible and there testing the rest. I also heard that the new wifi will have 3 ssid's. Guest, ENNI and as of yet "unspecified" so hopefully we can get a port open for our legacy to use this.
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Just wondering how many servers they are going to have just to keep the log on/ log off process from slowing down to a crawl? How many concurrent users will they reckon they are going to have?
The data centre would need to be pretty damn impressive and at least ten times the size of HP's.
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Folks yes there is a certain amount of cloud stuff so I am led to believe, I think we will still have servers etc in school brand spanking new. going to as this question What exactly is this cloud thing is it not a server farm probably in Belfast accessed through the net not much clouds about!
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From what I can gather the main storage will be in each school with a local cloud (sometimes called Fog Computing) http://www.tsgsites-hostmonster.com/fogcomputing/company.php (http://www.tsgsites-hostmonster.com/fogcomputing/company.php) that will let users log on locally :-\
How they will provide access from home I am not sure possibly Northgates own Cloud linked to local school Clouds or some form of Easylink. ???
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Anyone got any further updates on when things are going to progress?
As a matter of interest, how did/does c2k know what schools need/require in order to facilitate the curriculum. I've asked my boss if any blurb/surveys came to him regarding what he would like to see built into this new contract but he has heard nothing.
Mystic
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It seems that we are going to be kept in the dark as usual, at least we got the email from implementation with regards broadband upgrade, I suppose a lot probably depends on this first. Word is that a new consultation document is probably heading our way, whispers are that may not be ready until September lot of work still to be done. Not sure why they need to test w7 on hp machines as I have it running on machines with lot lower specs!
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Mystic
The consultation will be fill out a spreadsheet of all the PCs laptops and printers you have in the school (strange as they supplied them you would think they would already know what equipment is in your school) then you will be given a date when an install team will arrive these people are usually pretty good, and they will install the new equipment that Northgate say that the school needs.
At no point will your opinion and knowledge of your school be asked for, or if given taken any notice off :-X
PS the installation team will have NO information on the equipment in the school despite you having to fill out the spreadsheet that usually takes a few days. :o
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fill out the spreadsheet that usually takes a few days.
It took me a few weeks the last time
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Oh No not the The consultation Doc again :(
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Oh No not the The consultation Doc again :(
Nooooooo :( what a nightmare that would be!
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They'd be mad to replace the workstations already, sure they're only in a couple of years.
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We're ordering ones as far as I know but if they were replacing current ones don't think we should bother...but by the time we hear anything from Northgate it'll bloody be too late!
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Maybe they don't get the idea of cloud computing if they are refreshing with high-spec workstations? Isn't the idea to have all the processing done server-side?
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..i forgot all about the consultation doc... nightmare
i would have thought the hp's would stay and just recieve a complete software update
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..i forgot all about the consultation doc... nightmare
i would have thought the hp's would stay and just recieve a complete software update
i think they should keep the workstations and upgrade to Windows7
However add more ram into the TLP Laptops
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My Wishlist would be ::)
Faster Broadband
Replace TLP Laptops
Replace Servers and let us keep the old servers if school wants
Upgrade S/ware
Keep Hp Desktops but upgrade to Win7
Not too much to ask is it ;D
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My Wishlist would be ::)
Faster Broadband
Replace TLP Laptops
Replace Servers and let us keep the old servers if school wants
Upgrade S/ware
Keep Hp Desktops but upgrade to Win7
Not too much to ask is it ;D
i don't want them to touch the workstations. All our own software that we had to install would need reinstalling, takes ages. Bad enough having to do it several times a week when machines have to be rebuilt.
Wonder if they're moving away from RM Connect?
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Wonder if they're moving away from RM Connect?
I was told they are, but don't know what to.
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Folks rm connect is definatley gone, think its going to be a combo of win7 and something like noodle. I would think they are going to have to run both systems in paralell until all schools get done. I would hope they will upgrade the tlp's as they are shit with rm on them. I would image that we are going to have a busy time reinstalling local apps again!!!!
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What's noodle?
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Its a free vle used by universities etc. Check out foylecloud.com its built with moodle
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The servers are getting pretty old now so I reckon they will be replaced - but hanging on to the SAN box.
Microsoft support for XP terminates April 2014, so an OS upgrade is required - likely Win 7.
Logically the servers and OS upgrade would be at the same time - the new servers are mostly pre-configured, as soon as one is installed you start rebuilding the workstations; at the same time copy Learning resources etc. from old to new server. The SIMS database will go into the cloud, freeing disk space on the old SIMS Server.
The C2K/Northgate way may be different of course.
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I can?t see the machines being replaced if they can handle windows 7 already also the cost for replacing all the machines would be far to great at the moment. Although replacing the servers or even using virtual servers and consolidating them down to just one or two servers boxes could be a way to go. But I would say servers changed and the os on workstations changed
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What's noodle?
lol, sorry, I thought noodle was something to replace RM Connect, honestly didn't realise it was a typo.
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should be running Linux distros....when will they ever learn?
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should be running Linux distros....when will they ever learn?
when they find out where all the flowers, young girls, young men, soldiers and graveyards have gone. :afro:
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should be running Linux distros....when will they ever learn?
when they find out where all the flowers, young girls, young men, soldiers and graveyards have gone. :afro:
Gosh, Pete Seeger's still alive - 92 years young
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from what i have heard machines will be upgraded to windows 7. up to 200mb internet line. cloud portal in each school and running office 365. all apps will be pulled down from the cloud when needed. This is supposed to be happening from april onwards.
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Oh dear, I am not sure if half of the machines in school would be able to cope with Windows 7, they can bearly cope with XP?? Jesus loves those who try i guess.
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they are looking broadband done by end of the summer
then LAN (reimage core machines to windows 7) done by the end of Oct.
LNI gone anybody that doesn't have a VLE will use fronter, Schools using Moodle will be left to the end.
They hope to have a meeting with schools in the next few weeks to outline the plans.
Printer are not part of the service, as someone had mentioned earlier.
Cloud is called myschool.
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What's noodle?
lol, sorry, I thought noodle was something to replace RM Connect, honestly didn't realise it was a typo.
Maybe he means moodle.
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Anyone know if there's going to be money supplied for additional resources for schools like there was with the initial rollout, where you could buy more workstations, better printers etc?
What will happen to the C2K laptops and the slightly older C2K machines that we've purchased. We moved all the laptops into the classrooms and have around 50 Dell optiplex machines (dual core) - probably capable of running Windows 7 if most stuff is going to be done through MySchool. If these are no longer supported we're ging to lose around 100 workstations. If we have to pay to keep them on the C2K system then we're also stuck as there's no money.
Hope they've thought this through from the schools' point-of-view.
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Hope they've thought this through from the schools' point-of-view.
Would you believe it but a pig just flew past my window :) lol
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Actually, if everything is done through MySchool why do we even need c2K machines? Surely we can just buy a lot of cheap desktops?
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here is a link to the service we can expect
http://www.northgate-managedservices.com/industry-sectors/sector/2/education/detail/10/my-school/
C2k are saying that this system will work on any O/S, any browser and any computer
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Hope they've thought this through from the schools' point-of-view.
Would you believe it but a pig just flew past my window :) lol
Wouldn't be surprised in your neck of the woods, probably the annual Lurgan pig tossing championships.
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When the cloud is up and running you should be able to connect anything to it, old 286s can be revived raspberry pi will be everywhere a new age in computing will be ushered in ;D ;D ;D
OR it could all go TITS UP ::)
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And off course the free trial link doesn't work.
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And off course the free trial link doesn't work.
.....still. They don't want us to see how crap it is.
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working now they must of heard you
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.. nope its not lol
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Ok Office is one thing, but how about solid works / Photoshop / Playing videos etc work with a cloud based system like that where the apps are in the cloud then file transfers surely will kill the internet connection? ??? ?
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If we are able to connect ANY hardware with ANY OS then could we use Compaq E500 laptops with maybe a Linux distro on it?
Could we plug a laptop like that into a C2k switch and get it to work or would we have to install the connection only software?
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from the c2k website
http://www.c2kni.org.uk/news/nENniLeader.html
the new network for schools in Northern Ireland
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As part of this service Eircom will deliver superfast connectivity to the Education Cloud, providing schools with up to 200Mb of bandwidth.
Ah the old 'up to' card. I wonder how many schools will even get close to 50meg?
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Mystic
The consultation will be fill out a spreadsheet of all the PCs laptops and printers you have in the school (strange as they supplied them you would think they would already know what equipment is in your school) then you will be given a date when an install team will arrive these people are usually pretty good, and they will install the new equipment that Northgate say that the school needs.
At no point will your opinion and knowledge of your school be asked for, or if given taken any notice off :-X
PS the installation team will have NO information on the equipment in the school despite you having to fill out the spreadsheet that usually takes a few days. :o
Cheers..
I should have been a bit more specific. What I meant was, in terms of the software side of the curriculum, what is being provided and was anyone at school level involved? Mind you, when the provide courses for teacher using beta sofware, it just show how much collaboration there is between their own departments in the board.
Mystic
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Just read the blurb this morning about the C2k Catalogue Managed PCs.
We have approx 107 machines that are not on their list. The are a mixture of Dell 520's, 745's and 755's. The bulk are Dell 755's. I wonder what 'options' will be available? Probably options that will cost a bit of dosh being handed over.
Then we have the printers. I wonder will we be able to add printers to the system or will this still be a case of Northgate getting ?58 to map a mac address to the system.
Hopefully the roadshow's will shed some light - if I get to one ;-)
Mystic
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Hi Folks
JUst to let you all know, well those that maybe interested we had a site visit from virgin media was told that all schools have to be completed by November, they arrived at our school with 13yr old plans of a building that has been demolished and rebuilt, no wonder he was having difficulty. Anyway I think any school that requires digging/pipes laid will be done during the summer hols, the school is then sent a letter asking for permission to dow work on the school grounds and then all should be done in a day or so!
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They must be sub-contracting every telecomms company to get this work done! BT, Talk Talk, Virgin Media and Eircom all involved so far...wonder how much this new contract is going to cost in tax-payers money by the time its finished.
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?170 million
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?170 million
EACH!!!
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I got an email from aircom askin contact details for times over the summer when the schools closed
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What's the betting they will be looking to come into your school when it is closed, they have no plans, don't know what equipment you have and you are out of country on holiday ;D
Mystic
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Already had BT here having a look at the equipment and what needs to be done.
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Virgin Media have been here for site survey. Told we're getting 100Mb. I Pity whoever is doing the cable installation as its close to 1 mile from the main road to the front door of the school :)
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Was told ours would be done within a month. Guys from BT were out last week carrying out a site survey.
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Bt guy just left there, apparently theres a school who will be closing next year and they are still getting there wan connection lol
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Still haven't had work of a site visit :( Going to be one of the last, I can feel it in my waters lol
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No word here either for a site visit
zyber
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Looks like virgin media are doing ours.
Anyone know the story with all the older c2k machines that dont/cant meet the spec they want for the new network(and cant be upgraded as the school is skint).
Will c2k want these back and will i need to dig around the various graveyards of machines to get some sort of inventory done? Will the school get charged if there are ones missing? I keep finding old broken down machines that have just put under desks and forgotten about :s monitors, keyboards and all!
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See a digger driver here the morning to dig trench for our fibre cable
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Looks like virgin media are doing ours.
Anyone know the story with all the older c2k machines that dont/cant meet the spec they want for the new network(and cant be upgraded as the school is skint).
Will c2k want these back and will i need to dig around the various graveyards of machines to get some sort of inventory done? Will the school get charged if there are ones missing? I keep finding old broken down machines that have just put under desks and forgotten about :s monitors, keyboards and all!
get in touch with your elb. they should dispose of them for you.
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New router to be installed on Wed with Northgate doing the install. Seems that there will be space for a legacy connection according to the email. Will let you know once I know more :)
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Have you your fibre in yet or did you already have a fibre connection Si?
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Looks like we might not have to spend as much as we thought to upgrade the memory in the 745s. Just had a look inside and they have 4 memory slots of which 2 are used (2 x 512mb). So took 2 out of another machine, popped them in and the full 2Gb of RAM was recognised. Just cut the upgrade bill in half :)
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Looks like we might not have to spend as much as we thought to upgrade the memory in the 745s. Just had a look inside and they have 4 memory slots of which 2 are used (2 x 512mb). So took 2 out of another machine, popped them in and the full 2Gb of RAM was recognised. Just cut the upgrade bill in half :)
We were planning on upgrading ours to 4GB each. 2 would be the minimum for Windows 7
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I agree Bill, but money is tight this year so any saving is welcomed :) Will be asking that they set aside extra money next year though for more memory.
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Did anyone else get the email about users?
No more web provisioning anymore... :-)
need to make sure all non teaching staff are in sims or they wont get access to the new system
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Did anyone else get the email about users?
No more web provisioning anymore... :-)
need to make sure all non teaching staff are in sims or they wont get access to the new system
Just read it on exchange, wonder if our office staff know
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Have you your fibre in yet or did you already have a fibre connection Si?
No work was needed apparently Stephen...guess we must have fibre running close enough nearby.
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Got that mail yesterday.
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Could someone post a link to this I have went blind in me old age!!
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Could someone post a link to this I have went blind in me old age!!
http://www.c2kexchange.net/documentcentre/Documents/Personnel%20-%20Staff%20Checking%20Guidelines.pdf
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Now watching the videos from the roadshows that are now on C2k exchange
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Got our BB installed and working - legacy held them up a bit, but its now working too. Seems like we are one of the first schools to get it (bar the pilot schools whose ICT Technicians are moles).
10Mb/sec Broadband still seems kinda sucky though. No details as yet on how we ask for more bandwidth.
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Got our BB installed and working - legacy held them up a bit, but its now working too. Seems like we are one of the first schools to get it (bar the pilot schools whose ICT Technicians are moles).
10Mb/sec Broadband still seems kinda sucky though. No details as yet on how we ask for more bandwidth.
Is this a downgrade or an upgrade?
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legacy held them up?
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yea, couldn't get internet access working on the legacy network. By the time they get to the rest of you, they should know how to fix it in minutes ^^
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I don't think you can ask. If I remember correctly at the roadshow they said that they actively monitor the usage and increase it as and when required - school isn't even notified of the increase.
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im not lifting a finger when they come . i wont be changing anything on our legacy.
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Watching the videos, they say the broadband is automatically increased if needed, probably to a certain level then a bill will fall through the school's letterbox
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I cant find the dam videos
can someone post a link ;D
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maybe its capped until the new system is in place as nothing is cloud based yet as you were surviving on 2-4 mb bb before hand
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Here is the link to the videos
http://www.c2kexchange.net/ednet/home/default.aspx (http://www.c2kexchange.net/ednet/home/default.aspx)
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The riverbed is taken out of the loop though - dunno why - I'd have thought they would integrate it alongside the new bb for super-fast network optimisation...
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I think it is because the Riverbed belongs to HP so Northgate cant use it ::)
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Are you sure the riverbeds dont belong to C2k??
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Pretty sure I remember hearing how HP where installing them to boost internet speed. ::)
But God knows who paid for them :D
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Pretty sure I remember hearing how HP where installing them to boost internet speed. ::)
But God knows who paid for them :D
The taxpayer.
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Did Northgate not install them
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Surely we only got them as C2K paid for them, don't think Northgate and HP were handing out freebies.
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I thought it was the local C2K engineers that installed the riverbeds
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A northgate guy told me weeks ago he was to go do some training on the riverbed units, and he assumed that they would be supporting them
But sure the field guys know less than we do :blank:
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anyone got wind of the curriculum software that will be available? what will replace Frontpage? what will replace Photoshop 7?
zyber
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what will replace Frontpage?
Think they are pushing the use of Mediator for web design, we use it here for KS3 but use Dreamweaver for GCSE and A-Level.
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Gosh!! 'You's' must be loaded to have Dreamweaver. we tried getting it here and it was going to cost a couple of grand :o
No doubt the software issue will have an interesting twist.
Mystic
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Gosh!! 'You's' must be loaded to have Dreamweaver.
We bought this in years ago. Think from memory when I was pricing it Northgate were gonna charge something like ?100 per workstation. I did a bit of digging around and got the site licence for around ?1500. Once we had that C2K just deployed the software onto RMMC.
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Saw this on C2k Exchange
Will schools be able to create their own packages for distribution across the network?
Yes, schools will have the ability to package software which can then be distributed to users across the network. Further information on how this will work will be provided in due course.
Looks like we are going to be able to install software back to the old Rm 2.4 Connect days. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Anyone else notice the Dell D630 laptops are missing from the list of covered workstations on that page on C2K Exchange. This had better be a mistake. the original email they sent out said they were covered.
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Noticed that as well but they still seem to be supporting them as we had one rebuilt last week.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't supported, the numpties behind the C2K implementation account are the ones that told me the Optiplex 745 machines could be upgraded and added as full workstations.
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Supported until April 2014 apparently, then a decision made by the department regarding funding for replacements.
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I
Supported until April 2014 apparently, then a decision made by the department regarding funding for replacements.
s
Is this the D630 laptop?
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ISupported until April 2014 apparently, then a decision made by the department regarding funding for replacements.
s
Is this the D630 laptop?
Yup
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Have some T3400 Dells here that cannot get a script run on for gamemaker as they are not supported.
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i have had calls logged regarding the d630s and they still seem to be covered for now anyway...
also have eircom coming out on wednesday for site survery, they need the asbestos register for when they come out plus plan to take pictures etc of the cable route
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Had a northgate engineer out last week to replace a key board on one and a backlight on another. Still covered.
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BT coming out tomorrow to do survey in preparation for broadband upgrade.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't supported, the numpties behind the C2K implementation account are the ones that told me the Optiplex 745 machines could be upgraded and added as full workstations.
Hi Bill
What exactly is the craic with Dell 745's. What way can they get built? I've looked at ours and from memory they are 2.8GHz machines. I seem to get different opinions from different sources. I don't think the 755 spec is much higher. The Techy guy say we know more than them.
Mystic
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The 745s can't go on as full machines, I was misinformed by C2K implementation. We had someone from Northgate out who told us the right way of things. Apparently Northgate are working on some sort of financing for C2K workstations, rather than paying for new machines up front the cost can be spread over several years.
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Apparently Northgate are working on some sort of financing for C2K workstations, rather than paying for new machines up front the cost can be spread over several years.
Wonder what sort of interest they would add on to that, probably in line with Wonga.com and charge around 1800% APR or the soul of your first born child!
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Apparently Northgate are working on some sort of financing for C2K workstations, rather than paying for new machines up front the cost can be spread over several years.
Wonder what sort of interest they would add on to that, probably in line with Wonga.com and charge around 1800% APR or the soul of your first born child!
lol
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Load of waffle here
http://www.agent4change.net/policy/ict-provision/1551-northern-ireland-ramps-network-for-curly-wurly-costs.html
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I did not know that two curly wurlys cost ?300 million :o
If you read the waffle I think the misquote below is spot on ::)
"Never before in the field of human history was so much said to mean so little" ;D
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casper don't you have twins to look after? what are you reading that ...... ahem ........ stuff at that time of night for ?
:lol:
tel .............. no truer words. sums up devilgate. :D
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To be honest BHB my wife was looking after the twins last night some I had some time on my hands and was actually looking to see if this site came up when searching for 'C2k help', it doesn't lol. During the search I also came across a freedom of information request looking to know how much C2k had paid for the use of SIMS.
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How were you searching? I've just searched for c2k help with google.
see attached for results
[attachment deleted by admin]
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From Exchange
Dell D630/D512 Laptops - Teacher Laptops (or catalogue) will be re-imaged and managed until April 2014
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Hi Folks..
My boss has just asked me what print management software is being used in the new system. Can anyone confirm whether it is 'PaperCut' or something else.
Mystic
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I know that this is not much help but at this point in time I doubt that even Northgate know :o
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Cheers Telone..
Just on a similar note.
Has anyone been approached by third parties about print management software (and any other software/Hardware). We've had people dropping into the school leaving their business cards and saying that they are working with Northgate / C2k on certain aspects but I have no way of verifying their story. We've been caught out before where we have been given assurances that everything was authorised by Northgate/C2k only to find it wasn't. When I request written proof that it has been authorise I get all sorts of stories and spluttering.
If they don't pass my first question regarding Northgate/C2k Authorisation, I don't go any further. It may sound horrible but I don't have the time to firefight between Northgate/C2k and a third party.
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I have had printer supply firms plaguing me on how the contract has expired and they can now supply inks and toners, I just told them if the SELB has not sent me out documentation on the change of supplier I am not changing supplier.
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I have had printer supply firms plaguing me on how the contract has expired and they can now supply inks and toners, I just told them if the SELB has not sent me out documentation on the change of supplier I am not changing supplier.
Stephen the firm wouldn't KBS by any chance.
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That is the name of them, Supplies team have a contract extension and are still the only board suppliers. The girl out of KBS left Supplies Team and is trying to pinch their customers, however if you are a controlled school and order from them you are breaking the law.
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They have been ringing here. They want to know supplies team prices and are saying they will beat them.
zyber
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They are on the tender list but only for brother supplies
zyber
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A certain company doing the rounds (not mentioning names but it's not hard to work out based on similar stories here) made the mistake of sending me an email marked as high priority. It was a generic sales email - definitely not worthy of high priority.
The poor salesperson phoned me just before break...
I think you can guess the rest lol
Btw who's left Supplies Team for there? Even initials will do as I deal a lot with Supplies Team. Fantastic company to work with.