I think this depends upon how well the developers ('cause they are the
people modifying code) test the application. For instance here at Oxford
University we run Bodington on Postgres as our VLE, but testing is also done
on SQL Server (used at Leeds), HSQL which comes as part of a quickstart
application, MySQL and Oracle (used at other places) as part of a
co-operative process prior to a release. In theory nothing goes out until
it passes all tests, probably what proprietary suppliers also say ;-)
Upgrade paths similarly - but in our cases with Open Source if it doesn't
upgrade the users themselves have the problem rather than being distant from
the supplier! Certainly focuses minds.
Paul
Paul Davis
Oxford University central VLE team using Bodington
http://bodington.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Harrison Tim (Staff)
Sent: 20 October 2005 11:23
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open Source VLEs
It can, provided you 'fiddle' with the code. The problem then comes when
you have to install a new version of Moodle, PHP, MSSQL or what ever
which requires a different fiddle etc. We are back to employing
programmers. If it is part of the release specification (as it would be
in a commercial program) then it would be in place automatically.
Tim Harrison
-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rob Englebright
Sent: 20 October 2005 11:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VLES] Open Source VLEs
I think SQL is supported, in fact I believe any database can be used...
I certainly ran an earlier version of moodle with a SQL db.
-----Original Message-----
From: Harrison Tim (Staff) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 20 October 2005 10:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VLES] Open Source VLEs
That then raises the next, somewhat obvious, question. If IMS student
import is not supported then how do people get data from MIS into Moodle
regarding courses and other student details? This needs to be done on a
regular basis to keep the course lists up to date.
(I also noted, with some regret, that MS SQL server is not supported in
the official release. Given that it is very cheap for educational users
and used by most Colleges this is a bit surprising. I must look to see
if Oracle is supported.)
Tim Harrison
-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Miles Berry
Sent: 20 October 2005 10:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VLES] Open Source VLEs
Harrison Tim (Staff) wrote:
> So, having discovered LDAP is provided, my question should be 'Does
> Moodle support the IMS enterprise standard for data interchange with
my
> MIS systems (which does already)?'
>
> Any answers?
>
> Tim Harrison
>
Not yet.
In the schools sector MIS interoparibility is receiving attention, and
I believe there's work being done on getting Moodle to support the
School Interoparibility Framework, and I've heard stories of support for
SIMS, but will believe it when I see it.
Of course, as open source, the database is accessible and well
documented, so programming read/write access into the MIS isn't
difficult if you've got access to the source code there too.
Moodle does have mechanisms for automatically updating enrollment lists
from MIS generated exports, but realtime data interchange is a way off.
Thanks for the pointer towards this IMS spec - the Moodle team are
gradually implementing more of these: QTI is, I belive, in place,
there's a workaround for CPS, and there's an active team working on LD.
With open source, the development effort goes to where the need is
greatest - most of the IMS specs haven't been implemented yet, because
people haven't needed them - if Data Interchange is widely adopted in
the MIS world then I'd expect some Moodle stuff to follow soon, as
institutions (rather than lecturers/teachers) move to Moodle.
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave
vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave
vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave
vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
|