Re: Blocking Downloads (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED=20
Caveats: NONE

I did not get a chance to test this but it may be a 50% solution. =20

--Create a folder under the account used by students.
--Set this folder as the download location for Safari and Firefox.
--Log in as an administrator and change the access privileges to the
folder so the student account no longer can access the folder (i.e. make
owner, read and write permissions admin only). These instructions will
give you the basics.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=3DMac/10.4/en/mh669.html

When a student starts a download they should get an error and the file
should not be downloaded. This is not an ideal solution and it is
easily circumvented but it might suffice to limit the issue until you
find a better solution.

Some firewalls, content filters, and proxy servers will also allow you
to set up special rules for individual machines that allow you to block
specified file types. This may be the case for you as well and would
probably meet your needs if you are only trying to conserve bandwidth.
A true traffic shaping/management solution would be the ideal step (i.e.
packeteer, cymphonix, etc.) since you could prioritize traffic rather
than blocking it completely.

_Jason
___________________________________

Jason Johnson - Program Director
Web Services Branch - Walter Reed Army Medical Center Ingenium (ISO
9001:2000 certified)
Office: 202-782-1047
Cell: 202-262-0516
jason.johnson@ingenium.net
jason.p.johnson2@us.army.mil=20

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Renee Ramig
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 2:52 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Blocking Downloads

Does anyone know of Mac product that will block files from being
downloaded? I just want something that is for a couple computers, not
for a network. I turned off admin access, so files can't be installed,
but the kids can still download them.

I am using Firefox, but I can switch to Safari if needed.

Thanks,

Renee

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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED=20
Caveats: NONE

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Re: Blocking Downloads

Not exactly what you are talking about but here is a great tool.....I have
witnessed the use of a program called EduPlatform. Although it directly
does not prevent downloading it does offer some cool features, among these
White List internet browsing. The teacher can simply select the websites
that will be part of the lesson and limit access to only those website.
Students cannot enter an address , they can only select from the list
provided by the teacher. It also has a feature to limit access to the
operating system that the teacher can enable or disable at will. Basically
the program lets you create a lesson file that includes the digital
resources you wish to merge in any given lesson (webpage, followed by .avi,
followed by a powerpoint.) etc. The idea is to keep students engaged and
limit distractions. It also offers features to manage wired or wirless
network environments like Fixed/mobile labs, one to one and computer centers
in libraries and classrooms. Among these features, Real time monitoring,
(Great deterrent if used with a projector), send and receive files, screen
sharing, polling etc.

Giovanni

Giovanni Paoli, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Dreyfous & Associates
gpaoli@dreyfous.com

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Keith E Gatling
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:07 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Blocking Downloads

On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM, Renee Ramig <rramig@sevenhillsschool.org>
wrote:

> I am trying to conserve bandwidth, so deleting downloads on log-off
doesn't
> really help, but great to know if I do need that option.
>

So as I read this thread, I find myself wondering if we're unusual at MPH
for *not* worrying about bandwidth, and *not* trying to prevent students
from downloading files. And now that I think about it, a fair number of us
wouldn't be able to function if the ability to download were turned off. So
many of us email files back and forth between home and school, or expect our
students to email their assignments to us (be they in Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, or a PDF).

In fact, the fact that file downloading except through the desktop version
of Outlook in our Citrix environment has been a huge problem for students
who have sent their homework to their AOL or other email addresses, only to
find out that downloading wasn't allowed, and they had to forward it over to
their other email address. I don't know how this has worked out since we've
been trying to migrate everyone over to using OWA.

And in the case of our Citrix environment, downloading was disabled to
prevent people from inadvertently downloading some virus, spyware, or Trojan
that would take down the entire system (usually by installing some new
toolbar). We haven't had this issue with our Macs.

--
keg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith

Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach people.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Re: NEC projectors

Carl,

We use the NEC 280/380 projectors in out classrooms. The faculty
connect via wireless to the projectors and use their Tablet PC's like
roaming interactive whiteboards. The product works well and we have had
few problems.

This year we are introducing Panasonic projectors into the environment
so our Math and Science departments can use the split screen mode which
will allow them to have their Wireless Tablet image on one side of the
HD screen and another input on the other side (TI Calculator, video or
camera).=20

Good Luck,

Jason Hyams
Director of Technology =20
St. Agnes Academy

=20

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Carl Campion
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:40 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: NEC projectors

Projector question:

A rep for a local AV company brought in a NEC VT695 projector. The =20
image was very nice and it has all the features we need. The price is =20
great as is the warranty.

I would appreciate any insight on NEC projectors . We currently =20
have been replacing InFocus with Sanyo which arenice units as well =20
but the price difference is enough to think NEC.

thanks

Carl Campion
Director of Academic Technology
Archmere Academy
302-798-6632x823

=20

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Re: NEC projectors

Carl:

I will echo everything that Dmitry mentions below. We use the
LT265/LT280 and have loved them. The ability to send the VGA signal
over Ethernet has given us so much freedom with how the projector is
used. They are fairly robust, have a great resolution, and have worked
great for us! Will be installing more again this summer!

Good luck!

Jeff Ritter
Director of Technology
St. John's School
2401 Claremont Ln.
Houston, TX 77019
713-850-4020

Dmitry Manakhov wrote:
> We like NEC projectors.
>
> I highly recommend NEC LT280 series projectors. They have network
> interface that allows you to connect them to your LAN and project over
> LAN. It is much better that so-called wireless projectors.
> In this setup you still can project to the projector from wirelessly
> connected laptops minus all the antiques associated with the setup where
> projector has its own wireless AP.
>
> We use LT280s and its predecessors LT245 all over the campus and quite
> happy with the quality and features.
>
>
>
> Dmitry Manakhov
> Cary Academy
> Director of Information Services
> (919) 228-4663 (desk)
> (919) 649-6910 (cell)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A forum for independent school educators
> [mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Carl Campion
> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:40 AM
> To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: NEC projectors
>
> Projector question:
>
> A rep for a local AV company brought in a NEC VT695 projector. The
> image was very nice and it has all the features we need. The price is
> great as is the warranty.
>
> I would appreciate any insight on NEC projectors . We currently
> have been replacing InFocus with Sanyo which arenice units as well
> but the price difference is enough to think NEC.
>
> thanks
>
> Carl Campion
> Director of Academic Technology
> Archmere Academy
> 302-798-6632x823
>
>
>
>
>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons,
> attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
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>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
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> RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=ISED-L
>
>

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Re: NEC projectors

We like NEC projectors.

I highly recommend NEC LT280 series projectors. They have network
interface that allows you to connect them to your LAN and project over
LAN. It is much better that so-called wireless projectors.
In this setup you still can project to the projector from wirelessly
connected laptops minus all the antiques associated with the setup where
projector has its own wireless AP.

We use LT280s and its predecessors LT245 all over the campus and quite
happy with the quality and features.

Dmitry Manakhov
Cary Academy
Director of Information Services
(919) 228-4663 (desk)
(919) 649-6910 (cell)

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Carl Campion
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:40 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: NEC projectors

Projector question:

A rep for a local AV company brought in a NEC VT695 projector. The =20
image was very nice and it has all the features we need. The price is =20
great as is the warranty.

I would appreciate any insight on NEC projectors . We currently =20
have been replacing InFocus with Sanyo which arenice units as well =20
but the price difference is enough to think NEC.

thanks

Carl Campion
Director of Academic Technology
Archmere Academy
302-798-6632x823

=20

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NEC projectors

Projector question:

A rep for a local AV company brought in a NEC VT695 projector. The
image was very nice and it has all the features we need. The price is
great as is the warranty.

I would appreciate any insight on NEC projectors . We currently
have been replacing InFocus with Sanyo which arenice units as well
but the price difference is enough to think NEC.

thanks

Carl Campion
Director of Academic Technology
Archmere Academy
302-798-6632x823

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Re: Typing Buddy

No, but we use TypingPal Online (school.typingpal.com) and we've been very
happy with it. They're revising the interface and some other aspects of the
site for the fall. It is a bit pricier than $20 though! :)

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Keith E Gatling
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 4:26 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Typing Buddy

Has anyone here used the web-based program Typing Buddy for typing tests?

I saw it online and thought it was the best of the web-based programs, so we
sent them the $19.95 for the source code, but haven't heard anything from
them at all. Email messages to them have gone unanswered so far.

Does anyone here have experience with Now1Technologies, the company that
makes it?

Thanks.

--
keg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith

Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach students.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Re: Blocking Downloads

On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM, Renee Ramig <rramig@sevenhillsschool.org>
wrote:

> I am trying to conserve bandwidth, so deleting downloads on log-off doesn't
> really help, but great to know if I do need that option.
>

So as I read this thread, I find myself wondering if we're unusual at MPH
for *not* worrying about bandwidth, and *not* trying to prevent students
from downloading files. And now that I think about it, a fair number of us
wouldn't be able to function if the ability to download were turned off. So
many of us email files back and forth between home and school, or expect our
students to email their assignments to us (be they in Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, or a PDF).

In fact, the fact that file downloading except through the desktop version
of Outlook in our Citrix environment has been a huge problem for students
who have sent their homework to their AOL or other email addresses, only to
find out that downloading wasn't allowed, and they had to forward it over to
their other email address. I don't know how this has worked out since we've
been trying to migrate everyone over to using OWA.

And in the case of our Citrix environment, downloading was disabled to
prevent people from inadvertently downloading some virus, spyware, or Trojan
that would take down the entire system (usually by installing some new
toolbar). We haven't had this issue with our Macs.

--
keg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith

Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach people.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Re: Blocking Downloads

Ah, I think that the ability to prevent downloads is only in the 10.5
Parental Controls.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM, Renee Ramig <rramig@sevenhillsschool.org>
wrote:

> I am using 10.4. When I click the Parent Control link in Account, my only
> options seem to be to control Safari as a browser. However, the only thing
> I can seem to do is add approved websites they can use. I just want to
> block downloads.
>
> I am trying to conserve bandwidth, so deleting downloads on log-off doesn't
> really help, but great to know if I do need that option.

--
keg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith

Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach people.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Re: Blocking Downloads

I am using 10.4. When I click the Parent Control link in Account, my =
only options seem to be to control Safari as a browser. However, the =
only thing I can seem to do is add approved websites they can use. I =
just want to block downloads.

I am trying to conserve bandwidth, so deleting downloads on log-off =
doesn't really help, but great to know if I do need that option. =20

They can't install the files after they download them in the account I =
have now (as they don't know the password). But, they can still =
download it taking up bandwidth.

I have installed Content Barrier from Intego, so I can block things like =
streaming, but I still can't figure out how to just block all downloads. =
It would seem like this should be an easy thing to do :)

Thanks,

Renee

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators on behalf of Greg Kearney
Sent: Sun 6/22/2008 12:35 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Blocking Downloads
=20
A couple of approches here. First is to use the built in guest account =20
which would delete anything downloaded upon logo off, second is to =20
turn on parental controls on the selected account and then limit =20
downloading, Third you could limit downloading by controlling the dist =20
permissions and the ability to write files to the particular =20
directories.
'
Greg
On Jun 22, 2008, at 12:51 PM, Renee Ramig wrote:

> Does anyone know of Mac product that will block files from being =20
> downloaded? I just want something that is for a couple computers, =20
> not for a network. I turned off admin access, so files can't be =20
> installed, but the kids can still download them.
>
> I am using Firefox, but I can switch to Safari if needed.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Renee
>
>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, =20
> attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
> RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L

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Re: Blocking Downloads

A couple of approches here. First is to use the built in guest account
which would delete anything downloaded upon logo off, second is to
turn on parental controls on the selected account and then limit
downloading, Third you could limit downloading by controlling the dist
permissions and the ability to write files to the particular
directories.
'
Greg
On Jun 22, 2008, at 12:51 PM, Renee Ramig wrote:

> Does anyone know of Mac product that will block files from being
> downloaded? I just want something that is for a couple computers,
> not for a network. I turned off admin access, so files can't be
> installed, but the kids can still download them.
>
> I am using Firefox, but I can switch to Safari if needed.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Renee
>
>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons,
> attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
> RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=ISED-L

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Blocking Downloads

Does anyone know of Mac product that will block files from being =
downloaded? I just want something that is for a couple computers, not =
for a network. I turned off admin access, so files can't be installed, =
but the kids can still download them.

I am using Firefox, but I can switch to Safari if needed.

Thanks,

Renee

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Re: Best Platform for a New School

Or,

If eliminating servers is too far off the deep end, make sure you plan
to virtualize as many as possible. There are many options for the
virtual world besides VMWare and enough planning could save you a great
deal.

Andrew J. Speyer
Director of Information Technology Services
Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
[voice] 203.697.2105
[help desk] 203.697.2572
aspeyer@choate.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Norman Maynard
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:31 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Best Platform for a New School

>
>
> 3. Plan on eliminating all servers. Difficult, if not impossible, but
go
> in with the ideas that you don't need them. Instead, look for hosted
> solutions (ASP) for your needs. Most are designed to be accessed
through a
> browser for most functions so the platform for the majority of your
users is
> irrelevant. For the few power users that need a client instead of a
browser,
> buy whatever the client supports. (Hosted may look like it costs more,
but
> you don't need IT people with really deep skills--you need those with
broad
> skills).
>

This is intriguing.

Any specific examples?

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Re: Best Platform for a New School

Why not both? We use Windows servers for our administrative needs and
have many Macs in the classroom. With Parallels you can get the best of
both worlds. A dual-platform school does require a little planning but
it fits the "best tool for the job" philosophy.

Andrew J. Speyer
Director of Information Technology Services
Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
[voice] 203.697.2105
[help desk] 203.697.2572
aspeyer@choate.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Renee Ramig
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 12:09 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Best Platform for a New School

I have found that most administrative users will need / want PCs as
Jomar indicates. No matter what platform you choose, you will spend
less time on dealing with hardware issues if you are able to have a
single platform throughout your school. So, in general, I would
recommend staying with all PCs and if possible all with same operating
system (e.g. Vista ugh!).

If you do find there is some need for Macs for specialty classes like
advanced video, I would put these in one area, dedicated only to the
classes that really need these computers, again to save time dealing
with hardware and compatibility issues.

Renee Ramig
Director of Technology
Seven Hills School
=20
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. John
Powell
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Jomar McDonald
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:35 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Best Platform for a New School

I am going to suggest Windows PCs/Servers, even though I'm a mac user at
home. You're running a high school and building it from the ground up
so this is your shot to get it right from the start. Macs are consumer
PCs and are not geared for the enterprise market at this point. You
should strive to implement an enterprise class instrastructure that will
be the backbone of your core business. Also, macs will always cost
double to receive the same effect you can get from Windows PCs, no
matter how creative they are with their pricing. You want a
standardized environment that can be centrally managed to save on
personnel resources and frustrations.

Also, your software applications needed for the business side of your
school will determine the platform you need to run. Most robust student
record/financial database applications will need Windows/Windows Server
(read: Blackbaud). Mixed environments require more and more resources
to maintain them, you'll need an expert for every differing system.
Keep it simple..

Hope that helps some.

Jomar McDonald
Director of Technology
The Frances Xavier Warde School
751 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60610
W: 312-798-4064
F: 312-337-7180

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of David Liebmann
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:43 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Best Platform for a New School

I am the founding head-elect of Greenwich Village High School in NYC,
which will open in September 2009. Of the many tasks before me, one is
choosing between Mac and PC. I am sure there are strong opinions on
either side, but I am curious to hear from those who might have insights
into the best choice to support the majority of school operations,
including the business functions of the school.

David Liebmann

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Re: Part-time teachers and use of school laptops?

Fred:

I agree with everything Marilyn noted. We went through a period where
the School did not provide part-time faculty with laptops and it became
a big stumbling point. The next phase was providing used laptops to
part-time faculty. Support issues were constant. Finally, we decided
to give all faculty, whether full or part-time, a laptop that is
replaced every three to four years. One of the best decisions we made.

Andrew J. Speyer
Director of Information Technology Services
Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
[voice] 203.697.2105
[help desk] 203.697.2572
aspeyer@choate.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Marilyn Kelley
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 1:58 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Part-time teachers and use of school laptops?

Fred,

All teachers - full and part time receive a laptop and are required to
attend training. Providing laptops for part time teachers is not
inexpensive, however, we are asking all faculty to take attendance
online, use the online software for entering
grades/comments, create online curriculum maps, and communicate using
the school's email system. Since desktops have been removed from the
classrooms, all teachers need a laptop. If the new part time teacher is
truly an addition (new class/position), the
understanding is that the school/division (not the technology
department) needs to not only fund the cost of the laptop, but also
increase the technology budget by 25% of the cost of the laptop (laptop,
software, lock, backpack). The technology budget
must contain the monies for ongoing replacement (4 year replacement
cycle for faculty laptops). The experience is that the part time
positions do not disappear, but may expand the following year.

Marilyn

------------------------------------------------------
Marilyn Kelley Director of ISS
mkelley@blakeschool.org (v) 952-988-3408
http://www.blakeschool.org

(f) 952-988-3412

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential
is invisible to the eye." The Little Prince

A forum for independent school educators <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 12:30 PM +0000 wrote:
>As our Upper School grows and prepares to graduate it's first class, =20
>we are increasing our course offerings. To facilitate these =20
>electives, we will be using a few part-time teachers. They are only =20
>going to teach one course - Latin for example. We are trying to =20
>figure out how to handle their need for a laptop and does it make =20
>good business sense to provide a laptop to them. They may already =20
>have a laptop from their main employer but their guidelines might =20
>prevent them for using them for other employment.
>
>Have any of you had similar situations? If so how did you handle it?
>
>Thanks
>
>
>Fred Austin
>Technology Coordinator
>The Oakwood School
>Greenville, NC

------------------------------------------------------
Marilyn Kelley Director of ISS
mkelley@blakeschool.org (v) 952-988-3408
http://www.blakeschool.org

(f) 952-988-3412

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential
is invisible to the eye." The Little Prince

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Typing Buddy

Has anyone here used the web-based program Typing Buddy for typing tests?

I saw it online and thought it was the best of the web-based programs, so we
sent them the $19.95 for the source code, but haven't heard anything from
them at all. Email messages to them have gone unanswered so far.

Does anyone here have experience with Now1Technologies, the company that
makes it?

Thanks.

--
keg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith

Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach students.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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[Net-Gold] WatchKnow - New Educational Video Project

Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:12:06 -0400
From: Larry Sanger <sanger-lists@citizendium.org>
Reply-To: Net-Gold@yahoogroups.com
To: Net-Gold@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Net-Gold] WatchKnow - New Educational Video Project

.

WatchKnow - New Educational Video Project

All,

I'm writing to ask you to help get a free,
non-profit, K-12 educational video contest,

WatchKnow

<http://www.watchknow.org/>

off the ground. It is currently under planning and
development, and I'm taking the lead in organizing
the project. I'm the lesser-known co-founder of
Wikipedia and now Editor-in-Chief of the much newer
Citizendium project

<http://www.citizendium.org>

which you're also welcome to join!

Imagine tens of thousands of excellent short videos
explaining nearly every topic taught in U.S. public
schools. WatchKnow will be a free (open content),
non-profit beta project, to launch probably this fall,
to see whether we can create that. We will set the
topics and invite teachers--and everyone--to submit
videos. Videos will be rated, and, at a certain point,
we'll select a winner for each topic. We'll give the
winner(s) within each topic small prize(s), such as
$75 and $25, but the amounts have not be decided firmly
yet. We might award substantially more for certain
topics.

You could think of it as an American Idol for teachers,
but we are not affiliated with American Idol.
The project is being carried out as a new program of
the Citizendium Foundation, with funding from a retired
Memphis millionaire who wishes to benefit American
education. I'm the project's Executive Director, and
we're now in the process of looking for and hiring a
technical contractor who will actually build the system

See:

<http://columbus.craigslist.org/eng/724417944.html>

Read more here:

<http://www.watchknow.org/>

For future updates, please add yourself to the project
announcement list, watchknow-l

<http://mail.citizendium.org/mailman/listinfo/watchknow-l>

Because it's non-profit and open content, we of course
don't expect to make money from this project; it's
charitable. Thankfully, our start-up capital is more
than adequate for purposes of the beta-test project.

But we will need the help of volunteers to make this
work. Educators, ed tech specialists--especially
educators who make, use, review, and otherwise care
about educational uses of online video--are needed to
participate in a Video Review Panel, which will choose
topics and rate videos. On the current plan, panel
ratings will compose half of the score for any
individual video. We could also use your endorsement
and support for the idea!

See:

<http://www.watchknow.org/#3.%20Participation>

If you've complained about the paucity of
high-quality educational content online,
here's a chance to do something about it.

Regards,
Larry

-----

Lawrence M. Sanger, Ph.D. | http://www.larrysanger.org/
Editor-in-Chief, Citizendium | http://www.citizendium.org/
Executive Director, WatchKnow | http://www.watchknow.org/
sanger@citizendium.org

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Re: Google/Postini SPAM and Archiving

On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:23:43 -0400, Caballero, John
<caballeroj2@heathwood.org> wrote:

>Is anyone using Google's message and Discovery service? Google bought a
>company, Postini, and has products that move SPAM filtering, AV
>filtering, as well as Archiving off your network to Google's servers.
>The cost of doing this is very reasonable and seems to be the easiest
>and cheapest way of meeting compliance related to E-discovery. I love
>the idea of keeping all of the SPAM and AV email from ever reaching my
>network and putting the users in charge of their own quarantine.
>
>If anyone is using all or part of this service please let me know how it
>has worked, how hard it is to setup/configure/maintain. Any feedback or
>thoughts are appreciated.

We're migrating to Google Apps and just signed up for the Postini solution
with 3 years of retention. Everything I've seen and heard so far looks great
but since we haven't actually deployed yet I have to reserve judgment.

We are currently an MX Logic customer and really like their anti-spam
solution so Google/Postini has some big shoes to fill. Nonetheless, because
of the ability to kill two birds with one reasonably priced stone (anti-spam
and e-discovery) and the tight integration with Google Apps we've chosen to
switch to Google/Postini.

--
Tom Phelan
Director of Technology
Peddie School

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Re: Google/Postini SPAM and Archiving

We added Postini a year ago and it has made a tremendous difference. Spam
had been a problem to the point of preventing staff from bothering to check
email from home. We're down to a few users with busy quarantines, but VERY
FEW spam messages get through.

Postini inserts nicely between The World and your mail servers and quickly
filters out incoming spam and viruses. CAUTION: Postini (probably) won't
filter emails within your domain, as they probably never leave your server.
So if somebody brings a virus into the school via jump drive, it can spread
between your users, and they can send it outwards. Postini doesn't look at
outgoing emails.

There are some nice things you can do to customize Postini. For example,
you can set the time of day when the quarantine notice is sent out. I
initially had those messages arriving overnight (when traffic was lower) but
that meant that if a parent sent an urgent email in the morning which got
quarantined, the teacher wouldn't know about it until the NEXT morning. So
I have the quarantine notice go out at 2:00 pm - late enough to include most
of that day's traffic but early enough that staff have a chance to review
the list before dismissal. You can also pull up aggregate reports for you
domain, add 'alias' accounts to regular users, etc.

Postini has greatly improved my staff's productivity.

Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Laura Wilson
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:48 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Google/Postini SPAM and Archiving

We've been using their SPAM filtering for about a year now. Love it.

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Caballero, John
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 12:24 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Google/Postini SPAM and Archiving

Is anyone using Google's message and Discovery service? Google bought a
company, Postini, and has products that move SPAM filtering, AV
filtering, as well as Archiving off your network to Google's servers.
The cost of doing this is very reasonable and seems to be the easiest
and cheapest way of meeting compliance related to E-discovery. I love
the idea of keeping all of the SPAM and AV email from ever reaching my
network and putting the users in charge of their own quarantine.

If anyone is using all or part of this service please let me know how it
has worked, how hard it is to setup/configure/maintain. Any feedback or
thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

John Caballero
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

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Auto Reply: Annual Reports

Thanks for the email. I am out of town until June 30 and will respond to
your message as soon as possible when I return. Thanks. JP Culley

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