>1. WebCT is the only commercial package that links to student records
I believe there are several other products which have been addressing this.
TopClass (http://www.wbtsystems.com/) is similar to WebCT and claims to
link using Oracle. The blurb :
"TopClass Campus Edition. This new addition to our family of solutions, is
intended to support deployment of web based training throughout a large
institute. TopClass Campus Edition now uses Oracle as a data store for
training content and recording testing and tracking information. This
option makes it possible to support more sophisticated reporting of
information and align management and backup procedures with other
enterprise systems. In addition there are a number of security and
architectural enhancements including the use of authorization information
on Windows NT networks to identify users and eliminate additional login
steps."
>3. Blackboard can only run from their server.
Their server software is known as Blackboard CourseInfo.
http://company.blackboard.com/Company/products.html
These are the details sent to me by their rep, John Simmons
([log in to unmask])last month.
CourseInfo - $4,000 per named Institution per server per year
*Basic Support Package $1000 (unlimited email/telephone support for 2 system
administrators)
*Premium Support Package $1550 (unlimited email/telephone support for 2
system administrators plus 90 day support for the instructors and faculty
members)
Developmental Server (mirror server) $3,500 per named Institution per server
year
*1 Support Package must be purchased with CourseInfo (other options are
available)
UNIX PLATFORMS
Blackboard CourseInfo is designed to run on a variety of UNIX architectures
under various configurations. The versions of UNIX currently supported by
Blackboard CourseInfo are:
* Linux Redhat 5.x/6 (x86)
* Solaris 2.6/7 (SPARC)
* Solaris 2.5.1 (SPARC)
* Solaris 2.7 (x86)
* HP-US 10.20
* AIX 4.2.1
* IRIX 6.3; 6.5.3
On UNIX platforms, Blackboard CourseInfo uses the popular database MySQL
version 7.03.22 (included with the Blackboard CourseInfo distribution). The
installation also includes a copy of the Apache Web server, an open-source,
public-license product that s currently the most widely-used server on the
Web.
Minimum Suggested Hardware Requirements
* Single Processor (300 Mhz or higher) Pentium 11 (for x86 systems) or
equivalent (i.e. UltraSPARC, RISC, etc.)
* 256 Mb of RAM
* 4+ Gigabytes of hard drive space plus ample room for uploaded content
(e.g. 20 Mb per course)
Also, if you would like to speak with some local references let me know and
I would be happy to provide you with contact information.
Mike Mitchell
Teaching and Learning Technology Specialist
Library& Information Services
Aston University
0121 359 3611 x5110
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