On this idea of 'Me Too':
My thoughts are that 'it' would have to integrate pretty seamlessly.
http://www.capitaes.co.uk/simsdotco/products/S_net_p.asp
The above link is a feature list of the Capita SIMS product and has such
niceties as:
'builds on your current investment in SIMS by working on current school
data'
'allows data to be imported from other MIS systems'
'is designed to enable schools to comply with the national Information
Management Strategy'
The whole Capita / SIMS juggernaut is not something that anyone could easily
push off the road, I would have thought.
Now,
http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/alberto20000919.php3
is an article that says Linux and PHP could be used to interface with the
current SIMS database of MS SQL (which I believe they use).
This way, creating a Web based set-up that could run from any computer, Win
or Lin ((Mac or Acorn (?)) could be created.
In terms of skilling, human resources, change-over costs and change-over
risks, the adoption of third party bolt-ons is a concept that could have a
more eager uptake.
This would make for manageable small projects that could be achievably
produced by groups of keen teachers and also by student project too(!) -
Don't know about you lot, but every year my A'level students struggle to
find projects and the exam boards seem to love database interfacing as a
topic.
Migration could take place later, as all the bolt-ons started to form a
complete package.
Just my humble opinion folks. What do others think?
Bruce.
-----Original Message-----
From: MJ Ray [mailto:markj@cloaked.freeserve.co.uk]
Sent: 04 May 2003 22:39
To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com
Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Free school administration software
- project has started
David Bowles
Yes there are opportunities for innovation and the adoption of open source resources within schools, but a 'me too' replacement for the too well established 'SIMS' system is unlikely to be one of them.
Well, the need for a free software IMS system was one of the most oft-repeated themes that I heard from the floor at the recent conference, so I think we have to start trying. If we leave it too long, too many more places will be pressured into overpriced proprietary systems. I'm not involved in any other specific school software projects and student tracking is something that causes me trouble right now. So, my time is not being taken away from working on other education software. If you feel that some other project will benefit more from your time, go to it (and let us know what happens...) MJR -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com