December 2002 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Meeting yesterday and welcome to new members of the list
by Philip Hands 07 Jul '03

07 Jul '03

Roger Whittaker <roger(a)suse-linux.co.uk> writes: > I've just subscribed various people to the list - please post a > message to say hello and introduce yourselves. Hi, If you were at the meeting, I was wearing a Debian t-shirt (with a red swirl logo on it) --- there's a photo at the top of this article, where I'm wearing similar stuff (except for the penguin ;-) http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/articles/issue6/lu6-Editorial-A_patently_bad_ide… I'm a Debian GNU/Linux developer, and run the UK Debian mirror, and am responsible for producing the Debian official CD images: http://www.uk.debian.org/ http://cdimage.debian.org/ I have only a peripheral interest in educational matters, in that I've been frustrated in the past in my efforts to provide free computers (which were otherwise destined for a skip), but I can certainly contribute on a technical side, and having been involved in Debian (which is completely voluntary, like OSIE is expected to be) since 1996 I may be able to make some suggestions about how to ``organise'' such a thing. For those of you who've not come across Debian before, we're a world-wide voluntary organisation (read, chaotic jumble of mailing lists) that puts together a Linux distribution (and soon a HURD distribution) and gives it away. Debian doesn't pay people to do this, and doesn't sell what it produces, and in most legal senses doesn't really exist (i.e. the machines in the mirror network mostly belong to people like me, rather than to Debian, and the bandwidth is donated rather than paid for). This probably gives a pretty good feel for what Debian is all about: http://www.uk.debian.org/social_contract which you will notice leads into the The Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG), which is where the Open Source Definition came from. My internet machine, that hosts the Debian UK mirror, may be of use to OSIE, since it has about 30GB of spare disk, and a 20Mbit/s connection at a well connected ISP. This machine could act as either a primary host or mirror site for the web site, and could do DNS secondarying etc. as well. Something I'd be interested in working on (although perhaps a SuSE list is not the right place to spend too much time discussing this ;-) would be producing Debian CD images, tuned to the needs of educational users. Debian has accumulated some funds in the UK, and have been looking for a worthwhile cause to spend them on (we never really need to pay for anything that actually makes Debian work, so don't have much use for money), so we could probably afford to have a few thousand CDs pressed, and send them out to schools that are interested. Cheers, Phil. -- Say no to software patents! http://petition.eurolinux.org/ Philip Hands. +44 (0)20 7744 6244 philip.hands(a)uk.alcove.com Alcove UK --- Liberating Software --- http://www.alcove.com/ http://www.hands.com/ phil(a)hands.com http://www.uk.debian.org/

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FREEDUC
by psutton 31 Dec '02

31 Dec '02

For the benefit of Linux format readers the latest issue comes with a cdrom (bootable) with a educational software biased distro, which should keep you occupied until the school term starts again (Agghh), I have also just had a quick test of ymessenger which is on the save cover cd/dvd, this does not support chat groups / rooms yet, which could make it ideal for schools as conferences are suppoted as is chatting to other users, given the issues surrounding rooms schools could use yahoo messenger to perhaps set up chat services around the school or something, and with other schools. Just a thought as this should provide a nice secure /safe environment for the children to work in online, then again this could prove problematic if all the kids start chatting during lessons, and not getting on with real work, (like what I do). Paul

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Squid Log Files
by Administrator 20 Dec '02

20 Dec '02

We're running Squid as a proxy server with IdentD for logging user names (clients are Win2000) and it works fine. In the past, with IIS, every day, the day's before logs were imported to an MS-Access (scream now) database and some users/urls were pulled out, in addition to the filtering we do. It worked really well, but in Squid I'm having trouble doing something similar. I set up a script to try and stop the Squid Service, copy the access.log file to `date -I`.txt, and start it again, but occasionally the Squid service would restart but not keep logging to the access.log file. Currently, Its logging to the access.log file with no rotate. Any ideas on the best way of doing this? Personally I'd like to keep ALL old squid log files forever until I decide to delete them, and have them named by DATE, as its far easier, so LOG ROTATE wouldn't be all that useful. Thanks for ANYONES help in this!! Its beginning to get a bit irratating! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Dug Stokes Senior Webmaster Gilberd IS Department E: dug(a)gilberd.com W: www.gilberd.com

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Apache authentication (continued)
by Bill Antonia 20 Dec '02

20 Dec '02

Hi All Sorry I got the htpasswd options wrong, should read htpasswd -nb <username> <password>

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Apache authentication (continued)
by Bill Antonia 20 Dec '02

20 Dec '02

Hi All I've got the .htaccess files working now, thanks to Phil and I am now challenged for a username/password pair, however I still cannot get to the html and php files as the password for the user does not seem to be valid at that moment in time. I have experimented with the htpasswd command and have found that the encrypted password changes even though the same user and password is supplied. This happens unless the command is repeated quickly using htpasswd -np <user> <password> to show the result on screen. This suggests there is a time element in the encryption. Surely the encrypted password should be the same no matter when the command was executed? It seem obvious the client and server have different ideas what the encrypted password should be. Are there any other flags required to get this working? Regards Bill

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Apache authentication
by Bill Antonia 18 Dec '02

18 Dec '02

Hi All I'm having problems setting authentication on any, repeat, any apache web server. Following the book I have and viewing the apache website I have created the the following .htaccess file and placed it in the directory concerned. AuthType Basic AuthName "221 Monitor" AuthUserFile /usr/local/httpd/valid/.htpasswd AuthGroupFile /dev/null Require user bill I have also created the corresponding .htpasswd file in the path shown above containing the user bill and corresponding encrypted password. Starting from loading a web browser and trying the URL, it allows me to obtain the page without any authentication. Placing the above section of text in the /etc/httpd/httpd.conf file, enclosed between <directory /usr/local/httpd/htdocs/monitor> </directory> I am challenged for username/password pair but am not allowed to obtain the html pages I wish to view, even though I know the username/password pair are correct. Any clues? -- Regards Bill Antonia Network Manager Beacon Community College North Beeches Road Crowborough East Sussex TN6 2AS Tel 01892 603000 Fax 01892 664562 -- Regards Bill Antonia Network Manager Beacon Community College North Beeches Road Crowborough East Sussex TN6 2AS Tel 01892 603000 Fax 01892 664562

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library software,
by psutton 15 Dec '02

15 Dec '02

Just got this from seul ed- sound interesting, I will have a link to the other one on my site, when I upload it, in the meantime heres another one. paul Name: Library Manager Description: Basicly Library Manager is an automation program for civil, school or any libraries. You can easily control your library traffic, records and stores with an advanced logging system. Author: Volkan YAZICI Homepage: http://libman.sourceforge.net/ License: GNU Public License Category: Library

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users (NT)
by Brett Roberts 10 Dec '02

10 Dec '02

You need to install identd on your clients, http://identd.sourceforge.net, then using the squid module in webmin , www.webmin.com, use the perform rfc931 lookups for acl's option within logging. -----Original Message----- From: Steve Palmer [mailto:lumpyhed@yahoo.com] Sent: 09 December 2002 14:13 To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users (NT) Perhaps this sounds a little stupid, but how did you manage that? I've been searching for a method to log access via the windows user they are logged on as, but without any login page on the browser - so they don't realise i'm doing it! ^_^ We've had a form of this in the past with Netgear on an ms box, but the kids simply log on as someone else to do their dirty deeds, and if i could log em via the username they are on over the NT server that would be excellent. > > I am running squid and squidguard on Suse Linux 8.1 > and am using ident and > identd to log the users on windows 98 and NT > clients. > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com -- 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

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8.1 offer for schools and new address
by Roger Whittaker 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

The educational price which we've had in the past still applies to 8.1 The text that I always send out to enquiries about this is below: £39 + £5 shipping for SuSE Professional (current version: 8.1) This is the full product including all manuals and 90 days installation support. One copy per institution/department. To order, I need an official school order number - you will be invoiced later. Note our change of address ... All the best Roger -- +-------------------------------------------------+ | IMPORTANT NOTE: | | | | We are moving offices on 25th October 2002. | | | | We shall not be available on that day by phone, | | fax or email. | | | | Our new address will be: | | | | SuSE Linux Ltd | | Appleton House | | 139 King Street | | Hammersmith | | W6 9JG | | | | Tel: 020 8846 3918 | +-------------------------------------------------+ Roger Whittaker SuSE Linux Ltd The Kinetic Centre Theobald Street Borehamwood Herts WD6 4PJ ------------------ 020 8387 1482 ------------------ roger(a)suse.co.uk ------------------

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users (NT)
by Administrator 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

Nope, its cos I hit the wrong button. Its been a long morning. Dug Stokes Webmaster Gilberd IS Department E: dug(a)gilberd.com W: www.gilberd.com -----Original Message----- From: Chris Puttick [mailto:chris@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 09 December 2002 13:51 To: Brett Roberts Cc: ''suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' ' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users (NT) Interested to note that I got Brett's message but not Dug's. Is this possibly related to the quietness of the list in recent months? Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: Brett Roberts To: 'Dug Stokes'; Brett Roberts Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Sent: 12/9/02 1:40 PM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users I have a list in /var/squidGuard/db called allow_local where I add url's and domains I want to allow. Can I use acl's to resrict some users to accessing only these? -----Original Message----- From: Dug Stokes [mailto:dst@gilberd.essex.sch.uk] Sent: 09 December 2002 13:09 To: 'Brett Roberts' Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users Yep, just use an ACL - I used: acl banuser user1 user2 user3 http_access deny banuser With webmin (www.webmin.com) its really easy! Dug Stokes Webmaster Gilberd IS Department E: dug(a)gilberd.com W: www.gilberd.com -----Original Message----- From: Brett Roberts [mailto:brett@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 09 December 2002 12:52 To: 'squidguard(a)squidguard.org'; 'squid-users(a)squid-cache.org'; 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users I am running squid and squidguard on Suse Linux 8.1 and am using ident and identd to log the users on windows 98 and NT clients. Is there a way in which I can use ACL's to use the usernames to deny access to certain users? -- 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 -- 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 -- 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

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ODBC - seemingly OT but not - honest :)
by Phil Driscoll 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

We are trying to connect our OpenOffice.org clients to our MySQL server, using any technology which works. Some of our clients are Windows (NT and 2K) boxes, the rest are LTSP terminals. First job is setting up the Windows clients. It is very easy to set up a single client using odbc. Once the myodbc driver is installed, it's simply a matter of twiddling the ODBC stuff in the control panel, and then configuring OOo with the new data source. However, this is of little use to us :( We want to implement a system that configures the ODBC connection when a student logs in, so that they are connected to their own database. Since we use Samba as our PDC we should be able to write a script to facilitate this, but... I've googled the web and searched the registry, and everything points to the fact that the details are stored at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI\. However, installing the myodbc driver on another machine and then copying in the ODBC.INI\myconnection registry settings from a machine set up using the control panel does not cause the connection to be available. I suspect there is something else I need to do but I can't find any useful information anywhere :( Does anyone have any ideas? Cheers -- Phil Driscoll

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users (NT)
by Chris Puttick 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

Interested to note that I got Brett's message but not Dug's. Is this possibly related to the quietness of the list in recent months? Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: Brett Roberts To: 'Dug Stokes'; Brett Roberts Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Sent: 12/9/02 1:40 PM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users I have a list in /var/squidGuard/db called allow_local where I add url's and domains I want to allow. Can I use acl's to resrict some users to accessing only these? -----Original Message----- From: Dug Stokes [mailto:dst@gilberd.essex.sch.uk] Sent: 09 December 2002 13:09 To: 'Brett Roberts' Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users Yep, just use an ACL - I used: acl banuser user1 user2 user3 http_access deny banuser With webmin (www.webmin.com) its really easy! Dug Stokes Webmaster Gilberd IS Department E: dug(a)gilberd.com W: www.gilberd.com -----Original Message----- From: Brett Roberts [mailto:brett@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 09 December 2002 12:52 To: 'squidguard(a)squidguard.org'; 'squid-users(a)squid-cache.org'; 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users I am running squid and squidguard on Suse Linux 8.1 and am using ident and identd to log the users on windows 98 and NT clients. Is there a way in which I can use ACL's to use the usernames to deny access to certain users? -- 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 -- 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

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users
by Brett Roberts 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

I have a list in /var/squidGuard/db called allow_local where I add url's and domains I want to allow. Can I use acl's to resrict some users to accessing only these? -----Original Message----- From: Dug Stokes [mailto:dst@gilberd.essex.sch.uk] Sent: 09 December 2002 13:09 To: 'Brett Roberts' Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users Yep, just use an ACL - I used: acl banuser user1 user2 user3 http_access deny banuser With webmin (www.webmin.com) its really easy! Dug Stokes Webmaster Gilberd IS Department E: dug(a)gilberd.com W: www.gilberd.com -----Original Message----- From: Brett Roberts [mailto:brett@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 09 December 2002 12:52 To: 'squidguard(a)squidguard.org'; 'squid-users(a)squid-cache.org'; 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using identd to log users I am running squid and squidguard on Suse Linux 8.1 and am using ident and identd to log the users on windows 98 and NT clients. Is there a way in which I can use ACL's to use the usernames to deny access to certain users? -- 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

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Using identd to log users
by Brett Roberts 09 Dec '02

09 Dec '02

I am running squid and squidguard on Suse Linux 8.1 and am using ident and identd to log the users on windows 98 and NT clients. Is there a way in which I can use ACL's to use the usernames to deny access to certain users?

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Mail scanning
by JOHN LOW 06 Dec '02

06 Dec '02

I entirely agree with Christopher's comments. However, you do need to be able to access archives of mails I think. Until recently qwe allowed Hotmail etc, on the grounds that if it wasn't on our server, we didn't need to get involved. Ha ha! One set of threatening emails sent by a student soon undid that idea. Don't scan or read but have them if the pastoral people feel something serious has happened. Of course you need an openly published policy for this. Same goes for staff...! John Low >> I want to scan the pupils incoming and outgoing e-mails for offensive words >> so that I can enforce our acceptable use policy. > >Don't. >Please don't. >It's not polite. >It means you don't trust them. >It has the makings of a police state. > >But worse, once they cotton on to what you are doing, they'll thoroughly >enjoy the game of emailing each other with offensive things that bypass >your checks, looking for words you don't know and ways of disguising them >that you won't spot. > >Many years ago a boy here got published in the school magazine one of >those non-rhyming non-scanning poems so beloved of trendy young English >teachers. It consisted of a four-line verse followed by a three-line one. >The first verse was something like > > From the Elysian fields ... > Under the something tree ... > Cooing away like doves ... > Killing the ..... > >and this was obviously a triumph of creative writing. It's a battle you >can't win. Instead, just come down heavily on occasional things for which >there has been a good reason for you to see. > >-- >Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG >01371-822698, mobile 07816 821659 cchd(a)felsted.essex.sch.uk > > > This e-mail is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not represent those of St Mary's Hall.

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Mail scanning
by s-clarob＠st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk 06 Dec '02

06 Dec '02

I want to scan the pupils incoming and outgoing e-mails for offensive words so that I can enforce our acceptable use policy. Any one got any ideas that are preferably free? Thanks Robin.

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mail scanning
by Chris Puttick 06 Dec '02

06 Dec '02

Spam Assassin http://spamassassin.org . But be warned most of the problems will come from internal mails which will never reach the gateway,so ideally this needs to be run on the actual mail delivery system. Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: s-clarob(a)st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 12/6/02 11:54 AM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mail scanning I want to scan the pupils incoming and outgoing e-mails for offensive words so that I can enforce our acceptable use policy. Any one got any ideas that are preferably free? Thanks Robin. -- 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

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Installing Suse 7.3 on an NT domain
by Rob Keeling 06 Dec '02

06 Dec '02

I am trying to install a Suse machine onto our school network At the moment we have. Samba 2.2.6 installed, with winbind support. All NT users and groups are visable to the suse box. However I am now trying to mount our nt home directory (with pam_mount) and get things running. There seem to be two problems. If an NT account has expired Suse doen`t offer the chance to change the password via pam_winbind. I can`t work out how to map the home directories with out them existing on the Suse box first (we have 1200 accounts). Can anyone point me in the right direction? (An idiots guide would be good) Rob Keeling Network Manager Queen Elizbeth`s Grammar School Ashbourne

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CMIS (for those interested)
by Chris Puttick 06 Dec '02

06 Dec '02

Just thought you'd like to know: http://www.serco.com/newsStory.asp?sCode=810 Cheers ChriS

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

05 Dec '02

On Thu, 2002-12-05 at 22:36, Grainge, Derek wrote: > > 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. Lowest common denominator as in the technologies the people they are targeting for employment know about. (Probably the technologies some of th decision makers know about might be more significant). Unless you mean Borland = good or GCC = good and M$ = bad. Not about good bad or indifferent but about what the decisionmakers perceive to be easiest to support. > > Why do they have large turnover of programmers? Surely connected with staff satisfaction? Maybe they don't pay them enough? Who knows - what is the general turnover in programmers outside? Have you any evidence that M$ have a 20% stake in Capita? That would be interesting if it is true. Regards, -- IanL

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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 ********************************************************************************

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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

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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 ********************************************************************************

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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 **********************************************************************

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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

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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

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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

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Microsoft events time machine
by Chris Puttick 04 Dec '02

04 Dec '02

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

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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

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