[Offtopic] School laptop policy (was: Dual booting Macs)

[Stephen Digby]

Bit simplistic.
DEECT (Govt) policy makes student use of wireless network very difficult to
manage.
Network policies are not designed for external computers to access.
It is much easier for student computers to access all the files and
protocols you mention if they are at home accessing via the internet on a
standard communication and security protocol.
It is much harder if they actually bring the computer to school.

====================================================
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
mailto: digby.stephen.p at edumail.vic.gov.au  
Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555 8617 Mb: 0431-701-028
====================================================

I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to
do it   Pablo Picasso 
-----Original Message-----
From: offtopic-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:offtopic-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Glen Turner
Sent: Thursday, 15 May 2008 12:07 PM
To: Information Technology Teachers' Offtopic Mailing List
Subject: [Offtopic] School laptop policy (was: Dual booting Macs)


<rant>

Jim Maunder wrote:
> ... and in spite of a school policy to the contrary some
 > recalcitrant students use MacBooks.

Why does it matter which operating system a student chooses?

I can't think of a single laptop operating system that can't use a web
browser, can't print using IPP or SMB, can can't access files using WebDAV
or SMB and can't edit documents, spreadsheets and slides in the DOC, XLS,
PPT formats.

With respect, it seems to me that a school policy would be better off
specifying these common and widely-used protocols rather than requiring a
particular operating system, office suite, etc.

If these protocols are not supported at present, then I'd be reconsidering
the school infrastructure rather than the clients.
I'll admit to being deeply worried that any third-party client software is
needed to use a school network. Individualised fiddling with client PCs
seems to me to be a huge IT support cost that is better replaced by good
instructions for the configuration of software which is already present on
the client PC.

The alternative simply shuts out new and interesting hardware and software.
The Asus Eee PC 900 being a fine example of hardware and software which does
not meet a prescriptive policy but which would otherwise be ideal.

Of course, a school could (and should) recommend a particular computer
retailer, laptop manufacturer and model, operating system and office suite
with an estimated price for each to give guidance to parents which
appreciate such guidance and may otherwise spend considerably more than
necessary.

</rant>

--
  Glen Turner
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