I don't have better advice about KB than the other replies here, but this site is worth taking a look- http://www.viewlet.com . We are going to use their professional edition to create very user-friendly help files for our software and deliver it over the web straight to the end user.
It cuts out some of the direct helpdesk interaction, which is more cost effective. Plus, endusers can be difficult sometimes, and the viewlet lets you "hold their hand" and show them the exact mouse moves and clicks they need to do!
Adult supervision is always better than software!! My kids go wherever they want, and I am always aware of what they do online. IT should be the same in schools with the teachers aware of what is going on. In a library setting, I don't agree that filtering software is needed.
Granted, some library users will be visiting sites that children should NOT see, so put the adult access computers in a separate area from the children's access systems. And have the librarian (and the kids parents!!!) supervise.
I certainly believe parental involvement results in acceptable behavior most of the time!! My kids certainly know what is right and wrong.... (I had to get rid of my.whatthefuck email address because they were checking up in my history!!)
I have two children in a suburban school system that is considered one of the top in my state. I am also involved as a member of the Technology Committee for a k-3 elementary school that my younger child attends. I am trying to find the time to also join the Technology Committee on the 4-6 elementary school my oldest child attends.
Right now, the k-3 school has around 30 iMacs networked. Last year there was a room used as a lab. This year that room became the teacher's lounge, and the Macs sat unused in the Library because there was no plan, no curriculum for them.
we finally got the Macs up and being used just this month (half the school year is GONE!!!)
I think the major difficulty for Technology in Education is that admninistrations/teachers/principals/etc DON'T KNOW WHAT TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY FOR!!!!!!!
Do we teach them all at once with networkable software? Do we get them to learn keyboarding? (and introduce carpal tunnel at a really young age)
There are actually parents who WANT THESE KIDS TO LEARN POWERPOINT!!!!!!
The kids also have internet access by sharing a 56K frame relay-it is DOG SLOW and completely frustrating.
Things move so
incredibly slow
in this system and there is so much political mumbo jumbo (can't piss off the School Committee, can't piss off the Town Council, can't piss off the Supt.)that it is an absolutely ridiculous situation.
I work a flex schedule just so I am able to walk out the door....
Build redundancy-especially for YOU. I think you deserve a vacation because of your tireless dedication to your job.
I've learned to not be that dedicated. Do enough to get the job done right, but don't dedicate your life to being the SysAdmin.
Even if they just get you an entry level guy to back you up, teach him what he NEEDS to know, and you pick up trouble after he's given it a shot.
I know these are the ramblings of a cynical techie... but they have merit if you can just understand the primary theme: DON'T SACRIFICE FOR YOUR COMPANY. They are obviously not overly concerned with your health and well being by ceasing your vacation accrual.
mom
-because I said so
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I don't have better advice about KB than the other replies here, but this site is worth taking a look- http://www.viewlet.com . We are going to use their professional edition to create very user-friendly help files for our software and deliver it over the web straight to the end user.
It cuts out some of the direct helpdesk interaction, which is more cost effective. Plus, endusers can be difficult sometimes, and the viewlet lets you "hold their hand" and show them the exact mouse moves and clicks they need to do!
Adult supervision is always better than software!! My kids go wherever they want, and I am always aware of what they do online. IT should be the same in schools with the teachers aware of what is going on. In a library setting, I don't agree that filtering software is needed.
Granted, some library users will be visiting sites that children should NOT see, so put the adult access computers in a separate area from the children's access systems. And have the librarian (and the kids parents!!!) supervise.
I certainly believe parental involvement results in acceptable behavior most of the time!! My kids certainly know what is right and wrong.... (I had to get rid of my .whatthefuck email address because they were checking up in my history!!)
-mom
because I said so
I have two children in a suburban school system that is considered one of the top in my state. I am also involved as a member of the Technology Committee for a k-3 elementary school that my younger child attends. I am trying to find the time to also join the Technology Committee on the 4-6 elementary school my oldest child attends.
Right now, the k-3 school has around 30 iMacs networked. Last year there was a room used as a lab. This year that room became the teacher's lounge, and the Macs sat unused in the Library because there was no plan, no curriculum for them.
we finally got the Macs up and being used just this month (half the school year is GONE!!!)
I think the major difficulty for Technology in Education is that admninistrations/teachers/principals/etc DON'T KNOW WHAT TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY FOR!!!!!!!
Do we teach them all at once with networkable software? Do we get them to learn keyboarding? (and introduce carpal tunnel at a really young age)
There are actually parents who WANT THESE KIDS TO LEARN POWERPOINT!!!!!!
The kids also have internet access by sharing a 56K frame relay-it is DOG SLOW and completely frustrating.
Things move so
- incredibly slow
in this system and there is so much political mumbo jumbo (can't piss off the School Committee, can't piss off the Town Council, can't piss off the Supt.)that it is an absolutely ridiculous situation.What can be accomplished in such an environment?
-mom (because I said so)
I work a flex schedule just so I am able to walk out the door.... Build redundancy-especially for YOU. I think you deserve a vacation because of your tireless dedication to your job. I've learned to not be that dedicated. Do enough to get the job done right, but don't dedicate your life to being the SysAdmin. Even if they just get you an entry level guy to back you up, teach him what he NEEDS to know, and you pick up trouble after he's given it a shot. I know these are the ramblings of a cynical techie... but they have merit if you can just understand the primary theme: DON'T SACRIFICE FOR YOUR COMPANY. They are obviously not overly concerned with your health and well being by ceasing your vacation accrual. mom -because I said so