On Sat, Dec 27, 2003 at 11:49:24AM -0000, Adrian Wells wrote:
Insisting on an offline system has all sorts of issues which do not appear to be thought through.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this Mark. I would always urge users to use "off-line" (i.e local email server) as opposed to on-line
I'm interpreting "off-line" to mean that everything is stored on the laptop itself.
(hotmail et al). One has complete control over virus scanning, corporate ID,
I'm intrepreting "on-line" to mean a situation where data is stored on another machine accessable by a network protocol. This includeds IMAP(S) as much as HTTP(S).
backup & duplication control (important for 'professional' users), access
The moment you hand over the laptop over to a teacher you cease to have much control over it. Typically you can expect that very little backing up or updating will be performed. Storing all email on the laptop adds complications if the machine breaks down, if it comes into the possession of third parties and if it is reassigned to another teacher.
etc. Although becoming less of an issue (although I see broadband soon becoming as slow as modems), is the unnecessary use of bandwidth. On top of this I would also recommend an OE (or similar) reader as I've not yet found
A lot of these type of programs are responsible for wastage of bandwidth. Through inappropriate defaults such as sending outgoing messages in "bloat mode". -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763