Dear Debbie
This was a very timely posting as I was just starting to put something
together for the PN list (to which I have copied this response - apologies
to those who sub to both lists) about the same topic.
I have mentioned before our success to date in Cambridgeshire in maintaining
the integrity of our People's Network setups. This confers the dual benefit
of a consistent interface for staff and customers and a lowering of support
costs. This success is due in part to the time spent designing and testing
the system (and the software running on the system) and in part to offering
the PCs to customers under Windows 2000 "User" account. These accounts do
not permit the install of software on a machine. This, together with certain
other system policies in place mean that the only software on our machines
is that which we desire and which we have tested (Goodbye BonziBuddy,
CometCursor, Yahoo Companion and all your pals!). Maintaining the integrity
of our setup is really the only way we (and I am sure any other network of
size and geographical dispersal) can keep support costs at a manageable
level.
So where does Learndirect fit in to this? Well, much effort was put in to
making our system fit Learndirect requirements - plugins, etc and the web
courses pretty much all run OK. We have had one or two issues relating to
file permissions on particular courses but these have been rectified.
Autorun CDs have also been pretty much fine although I was dismayed today to
be informed of an autorun CD that does not work with our setup. Until I have
had chance to examine it I will say no more but on the whole autorun CDs
have presented no problems. What has caused and continues to cause us big
problems are the seeming deluge of CDs from Learndirect that require local
installation. These run completely counter to our aims in terms of
standardisation and consistency of setup. They are released on an ongoing
basis so cannot all be tested and merged into the system build. On the other
hand, as Debbie says they are an ideal way for users to learn. My feeling is
that Learndirect are the people to end this impasse. I appreciate that many
of the install CDs contain plugins and the like to cater for people using
the discs at home on a PC that may well not already have that software. But
Learndirect must also appreciate the needs of their centres to maintain a
standardised setup and minimise support costs and maximise uptime and
availability of their facilities. Surely we are not alone in this aim? The
answer as I see it is to release both an autorun and an install version on
the same disc (or separate discs if necessary) so that centres may choose
which version is best suited to their setup and home users are not put at a
disadvantage.
We are looking to enter into discussions with Learndirect on this issue.
However I would still be most interested to know how other learndirect
centres are dealing with this issue.
Robert Day
ICT Manager
Cambridgeshire Libraries
-----Original Message-----
From: Norley, Debbie
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 29/10/02 14:42
Subject: CD ROms in People's Network PCs
We are debating whether to allow users to install their own CD Roms or
ones
they have borrowed from the library onto our People's network PCs. On
one
hand it's an ideal way for users to learn, & is definately in keeping
with
the spirit of the PN, but on the other hand it means the PCs may well
get
bunged up with use once software & stuff that the users get free with
magazines. Does anyone allow this in their libraries & if so, how do you
deal with it please?
Debbie Norley
Client IT Officer (Libraries)
Central Library
Uxbridge, Middx.
UB8 1HD
Tel: 01895 250710
Fax: 01895 811164
email: [log in to unmask]
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