December 2002 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by Grainge, Derek 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

> I was at Capita a while back and I was told the reason they are in bed > with MS is that the turn over in programmers means they have to go for > the lowest common denominator in terms of expertise. I > pointed out that > if they used open source they could use the money saved in software > licenses to pay better programmers to stay! When it comes > down to it the > decision makers just don't understand the options. > > Regards, > > -- > Ian > ... and the story I heard was that M$ own something like 20% of the company. WHich might also explain Capita's adoption of .NET But to be fair - if C# ( ~ Java) and C++ are typical development tools, then I don't see the 'lowest common denominator' argument. Unless you mean Borland = good or GCC = good and M$ = bad. Why do they have large turnover of programmers? Surely connected with staff satisfaction? -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster(a)wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk ********************************************************************************

2 1

SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by psutton 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

Hi Regarding killer school apps, what are the following SIMS and scomis, I know that ALICE is a library management application, I am not sure about the other two, it seems that if we had open source versions of the above, then we could really move forward in terms of getting open source into schools. However not being sure of what these are or what they do makes looking for or helping to develop alternatives difficult.. Paul

5 7

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by Grainge, Derek 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

> Regarding killer school apps, what are the following > SIMS SIMS is a school database management system, about to be replaced by a new version which is based on .NET and MS SQL server. It will have a client interface which is mostly NOT web based. I wouldn't call it a Killer app in the sense you imply. Au contraire. But no schools database is that good really. Supposedly it's based around an agreed data format allowing modules to be mixed and matched by purchasing from different companies. Therefore in theory there is an open structure and a way for home-grown apps to access data. I doubt that Capita would be at all happy for that to happen - for data integrity reasons, not just money. Cheers, Derek -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster(a)wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk ********************************************************************************

3 2

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by Kyle Williamson 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

In terms of Library Management here, we use Eclipse (successor to the old Acorn Micro Libriain (sp?)) and for online book searching we do the following: * Librian (sp?) export data into CSV. * Feed CSV via PHP script into SQL database. * Users search SQL database via Intranet. Works quite well, be good if it was live. :/ - Kyle >===== Original Message From "Mark Evans" <mpe(a)st-peters-high.devon.sch.uk> ===== >> Hi there Paul, >> >> Sims is a modular school management system developed by Capita Systems. It >> contains all the pupil information, including their pictures and timetable. >> When I sya modular, I mean that there are several bolt-ons to the main >> program. The module used for pupil information is called Midas (I think). > >The module holding this information is called STAR, MIDAS is >more for displaying summaries of data. > >Originally CES were going to replace STAR with a new program called >Nova (New Star). Which took over the functions of the previous >COVER package. Somewhat duplicates MIDAS and was ment to replace >EXAMS, but never happened. > >Nova uses a different file database from the rest of SIMS, theoretically >handling data interchange transparently. > >Now CES want to move to "Super Star", which is based around MS SQL >server and .NET. Requires a rather frightening client spec (we >only retired the last 486 a few months back) and shows all the >signs of becoming "black hole Star" so far as paying for the thing >is concerned. > >> There are also modules for staff cover, attendance, finance, and > >The latest version of the finance module is FMS6, which uses >SQL Anywhere. Unlike all the other SIMS modules it has no ability >to restrict access to specific workstations... > >> timetabling. Our SIMS manager has a lot more icons on his screen as well. >> Not sure what they are. > >Depending how you configure it you can set SIMS launcher to display >modules which are not actually installed. > >> I have not heard of Scomis. > >Lucky you :) > >> Alice is a library system as you correctly put it. I originally set it up in >> our school before passing complete control to our librarian. It is developed >> by Softlink - www.softlink.co.uk. It isn't a bad piece of software once you >> get used the way it does things. We find that half of the menu options do >> not get used. It does need an interface re-design, but I cannot see Softlink > >It has a few subtle bugs, like scrollbars not working correctly in >some dialogues but working in others... > >> changing something with works okay. I would prefer a web interface - and >> that reminds we, you can run an Alice Network Server which allows the query >> of books online. > >So long as you have IIS, no thankyou. > >-- >Mark Evans >St. Peter's CofE High School >Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 >Fax: +44 1392 204763 > >-- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com >For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com == Kyle Williamson Applemore College Tel: (023) 80 848804 Ext: 216 Fax: (023) 80 848715 ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are private and intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, the E-mail and associated files have been transmitted to you in error: any copying, distribution or other use of the information contained in them is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this E-mail may be interpreted as a contractual or other legal commitment on the part of Applemore College unless confirmed by a communication signed by or on behalf of the Principal. If you are of the opinion that have received this email in error, please contact admin(a)applemore.hants.sch.uk **********************************************************************

1 0

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by Chris Puttick 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

Time, I think, to pop my head up above the parapet once more and shout "we have an open source school management system!". No, it's not quite finished, but as of this morning it has a fully functional electronic registration system that includes full reporting including graphing using jpgraph, messaging by school, year, class or pupil (such that the next person who takes a register including the pupil/class/year gets the message), full effort check/reporting system that will include assessment management as of the next exam session. Anyone who can put their head around the problems involved in those will realise we dealt with two of the big four. Number three, timetabling, is underway and number four, finance systems, will be resolved shortly with an adaptation of SQL-Ledger (http://www.sql-ledger.org). All web-based, running on Borland Intebase OE, PHP, Apache and Linux (2.2.x thru 2.4.19). And when I say running, I mean with real live users in a real live school (soon to be schools (well, one school and one Inclusion Centre)). Questions? For library systems, look no further than Koha (http://www.koha.org). For ScoMIS? I don't understand that one. Either you refer to the South West authorities support service or to the Superior Court Management Information System. We could sort the latter, although I don't see the application to schools (outside of some of the inner cities :-) ), but if you mean the former, I assume it's a political problem. Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: psutton To: Suse schools Sent: 12/4/02 6:02 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE Hi Regarding killer school apps, what are the following SIMS and scomis, I know that ALICE is a library management application, I am not sure about the other two, it seems that if we had open source versions of the above, then we could really move forward in terms of getting open source into schools. However not being sure of what these are or what they do makes looking for or helping to develop alternatives difficult.. Paul -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com

1 0

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] SIMS. SCOMIS AND ALICE
by ian 05 Dec '02

05 Dec '02

On Wed, 2002-12-04 at 21:24, Grainge, Derek wrote: > > Regarding killer school apps, what are the following > > SIMS > > SIMS is a school database management system, about to be replaced by a new version which is based on .NET and MS SQL server. It will have a client interface which is mostly NOT web based. > > I wouldn't call it a Killer app in the sense you imply. Au contraire. But no schools database is that good really. > > Supposedly it's based around an agreed data format allowing modules to be mixed and matched by purchasing from different companies. Therefore in theory there is an open structure and a way for home-grown apps to access data. I doubt that Capita would be at all happy for that to happen - for data integrity reasons, not just money. > > Cheers, Derek > CMIS is probably SIMS biggest up and coming competitor. The DfES common data format should enable data to be transferred between competing systems more easily. There is an Open Source SIMS replacement in development but I haven't seen it so I don't know how it stands up. All admin should be on standard SQL databases with web front ends and independent of the hardware OS or even web browser. This would be perfectly possible but the government would be best placed to encourage such open standards and don't seem very keen to do it at them moment. SIMS is a monopoly and we all know how long they take to shift. However, like Windows, there is sufficient antipathy toward SIMS to give some encouragement to would be competitors. Support contracts would make an OS product commercially viable. Regards, -- IanL

2 3

Linux TCO
by Phil Driscoll 04 Dec '02

04 Dec '02

Just followed a link from an article on The Register to this PDF http://www-1.ibm.com/linux/RFG-LinuxTCO-vFINAL-Jul2002.pdf which might prove useful for anyone who has to argue their corner on cost grounds. Cheers -- Phil Driscoll

2 1

Microsoft events time machine
by Chris Puttick 04 Dec '02

04 Dec '02

Read report carefully: http://www.vnunet.com/News/1137325 Cheers Chris

2 1

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Microsoft events time machine
by Chris Puttick 04 Dec '02

04 Dec '02

That should have been invents... -----Original Message----- From: Chris Puttick To: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Sent: 12/4/02 1:00 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Microsoft events time machine Read report carefully: http://www.vnunet.com/News/1137325 Cheers Chris -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com

1 0