Some of the things are OK
VMWare is not such a bad idea (although other [better] hypervisors are available). You could run all the clients on Linux (for security and control) and host a virtual image (Windows if you must). If the little dears do manage to screw a desktop, just revert the image. All their file can be held (and backed-up) centrally. Total network control with ease.

Laptops? Huh? You'll need to chain them to a desk to stop them being stolen. I can't see students doing much heavy work, could get away with mostly small desktops (say a Fit2-PC or similar) and just a few big boxes for when needed. Use the money saved for some decent wide screens as that is easier for group work.

£90 for headphones? WTF? Plantronics, with mic your for about £15. More than good enough for school work.

I feel sorry for you, and I feel sorry for my wallet as more tax if spunked on crap like this. Still, at least the consultants are raking it in, eh?
(SpangleDangle >->)))'>, Thu 10 Jun 2010, 12:29, 2 replies)

well
we were told we were getting VMWare, like it or not. Thankfully the network is going to locked down so tight it's going to be restrictive.

Laptops, yup. I would prefer to have all tower pcs but nope, laptops it is.

£90 for heaphones, along with 60 x £160 pairs for the music dept :'(

and the consultants...must be laughing.
(tb2571989 dies at precisely, Thu 10 Jun 2010, 12:50, closed)

from experience
of working in a couple of schools virtual images will give you great flexibility and laptops aren't that bad, you'll be able to lock them into secure trolleys and the end of the day and just think about the mass lan party's you can organise ;-) (from experience, smirnoff ice is very sticky, doesn't like keyboards, but RM will quite happily believe that one of the brand new 25 laptops delivered tested and working has failed over the weekend)
( notmyrealname, Fri 11 Jun 2010, 11:35, closed)

they
sould be good but the laptops dont fit into the trollys bought for us. Dammit.

Still, good point about the LAN parites...*grin*
(tb2571989 dies at precisely, Fri 11 Jun 2010, 13:46, closed)

revert the image?
no need, just use a program like deep freeze, Lancashire County Council is one of my major clients and they use it on all their library public network machines, cracking bit of software.
(Kip, Sun 13 Jun 2010, 12:59, closed)

well
"theres no money" :(
(tb2571989 dies at precisely, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 8:58, closed)

Bummer.

(Kip, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 13:56, closed)