On Thu 10 Feb, Christopher Dawkins wrote:
I am convinced that diskless terminals getting all their applications and configuration from central servers are the key to a school system. Our BBCs were diskless terminals. Most of our problems arise from "thick clients": the diskless terminals we have require negligible maintenance.
The crux of the matter is in the last sentence. A successful school system does not permit any changes to either the configuration or any part of the local software. I achieve that result with RiscPCs because the OS is in ROM; the hard disc is write protected (other than a specifically public area); all software changes are made remotely from my 'command centre' from where I can unlock the hard discs and lock them again. So we are not dependent on a central server or networking. While in normal use the network supplies internet, intranet, central resources and filing/print, in emergency machines can still be used locally. We neither need, nor have any IT technician, and probably as a result my capital budget is sufficient. (I seem to be the devil's advocate in this group, but I am keen on Linux, honest) -- Martin Devon Stonar School