Do the students go home for lunch? The article just stated they have laptops for students at the school who don't participate in the 1 to 1 program.
I would assume it's very similar to the school district where I work. Our district is all-Mac, with our school in particular having a voluntary 1 to 1 program, with 8 mobile laptop carts of 30 MacBooks each that serve the whole campus for students in each class who don't participate in the 1 to 1 program.
There are no problems with students using the laptops at school, during lunch, break, or even after school so long as the laptops don't leave the campus. When they get home, they're perfectly welcome to use whatever computers they want, be it a Windows or Linux PC. The students just bring in their classwork on a USB thumb drive, or, do their work on Google Apps for Education which we administer on our domain. With the Google docs they can do their work at school or home and have easy access if they don't want to bother with a USB stick.
Only about 1/3 of the school participates in the 1 to 1 program, and the other 2/3 are doing just fine. There is no pressure on any student to participate in the 1 to 1 program except out of convenience.
No matter the name, this is the same company that told me for over 3 years that all the problems I was having were my fault, not theirs. Despite having a 3 second ping (yes, 3000 ms), apparently Comcast considers that acceptable and not worth fixing. If I wanted a technician to come out and check the lines, I would have to pay for it. Comcast was my only option, my address didn't qualify for DSL, which is ironic considering I live in "Silicon Valley."
AT&T finally started rolling out U-Verse in my area, which I jumped on immediately. By immediately, I mean 2 full months of trying to convince AT&T to send a technician out to hook me up because their survey monkey simply didn't put my address down in their Excel spread sheet database; every address around me was eligible for U-Verse, including three apartments I shared walls and ceilings with. AT&T "fixed" the problem, apparently, by inverting their spread sheet. Now I'm the only address at the complex eligible for U-Verse. *sigh* At least I have U-Verse and I can actually play games online.
A couple weeks after I finally got U-Verse installed and canceled my Comcast, Comcast sent over two technicians. Despite having a large, red, "No Soliciting" sign on my door, they interrupted my friends and me on a nice Saturday evening of D&D (it was after 7PM). They explained to me that were aware of all the problems I was having, and attributed it to old, out-of-spec wiring at the apartment complex, and a misconfigured node in my area that was causing latency problems. I was actually pretty speechless.
I finally asked them that after 3 years of telling me "it's on your end," you fucktards bother me on a Saturday evening to finally own up to your own incompetence? Pointed at the no soliciting sign, told them to fuck off, then slammed the door.
I work at an all-Mac school district, with my school having 300 Macs alone. We have 8 laptop carts with 30 MacBooks each, 2 computer labs with roughly 20 iMacs each, 1 laptop or workstation for each staff and faculty, and we're piloting a 1:1 laptop program with about 30 students enrolled in the program. Here is a list of what I use to get the job done:
1 Server with OS X Server (preferably 10.6.) 1 24 port gigabit switch NetRestore (you don't need this if you have 10.6 Server.) Apple Remote Desktop Software
It's straight forward, there are lots of very easy to follow guides online. You can pick this up even if you know nothing about Macs at all. Basically you set up your server for NetBoot. Your clients will boot off the server, then block copy an image to their HDD. You can do this via NetRestore Helper which makes a simple-to-use GUI, or, if you have 10.6 Server, all of NetRestore's functionality is now apart of 10.6's NetBoot utility. You can also do it via CLI.
You can use shell scripts to automate tasks. They can be set to run before the computer is imaged (partitioning the HDD, for example) or after it has been imaged (setting the sharing name, joining a domain, setting up printers, or installing additional software.)
Apple Remote Desktop will allow you remotely manage each computer. You can do asset management, updates, software installs, etc. Coupled with ARD Server on the Server itself, you can automate these tasks. Similar to Active Directory.
If your organization has invested in LANDesk and/or Altiris, both will take advantage of an OS X Server and streamline the process. You'll be able to do all the aforementioned via both LANDesk and Altiris; they basically just relay commands to the OS X Server. Both integrate the process pretty well. I don't know about Norton Ghost.
If you're using Multicast IP and have a gigabit switch, you can image batches of 20 computers (or more, depending on the switch) in 30 minute intervals. This varies depending on how big your images are, of course. Target Disk Mode via FireWire is a great way to image 1 off machines or to get data off failing hardware. Prep time for such a set up is about 2 hours (power, ethernet, setup, etc.)
Also, remember that's it's UNIX. You can do everything I just mentioned via command line if you're a keyboard junkie.
Here're some indispensable links to help you get started:
Keep in mind that the hardware is more expensive, but I've found the support to be a lot easier than Windows. Cost savings is in the support of the machines. There are also no client access license fees if bound to OS X Server directly instead of ActiveDirectory.
Parts 1 and 2 of the BeOS Demo. Incredible multitasking capabilities, journaled file system, enhanced thread management; all designed from the ground up to take advantage of multi-CPU computers.
The demo is absolutely incredible. Remember, this is on mid '90s era technology. Dual Pentium with a few hundred megabytes of RAM. No discrete video card.
Seems like every time they release some sort of Character building application, it's Windows only. I'm not a programmer, but it seems like there are a ton of options out there to make applications cross-platform. Maybe just make it a website or something.
According to PCI-SIG, the guys that created PCI, PCI Express is not only software backwards compatible, but also hardware backwards compatible with PCI and PCI-X using the appropropriate hardware bridge.
PCI Express is software compatible with PCI and PCI-X, but the physical connection is different. There are already specifications available for PCI Express-to-PCI/X bridge, so you need'nt worry about your "legacy" PCI devices becoming useless after PCI Express' adoption.
This is how much we pay for 43 Mac in 3 labs
on
Fix a Troubled Mac
·
· Score: 5, Informative
We have three labs with a total of about 43 Macs. A mix of eMacs, iMacs, G3 towers, G4 Towers, a dual XServe, and one dual G5.
So far, in the past two years, we've replaced only 1 eMac because it was having trouble booting, and it was under warranty. The only major failures are the dumbass B&W monitors that came with the G3s. Of the 12 we had, only 3 are left. They've been replaced by Hitachi monitors which are working perfectly. Lucikly we're getting brand new eMacs to replace all the B&W G3s (not because they're broken, but because they're too slow for OS X Panther + Adobe CS.)
We have 4 techs, each paid (gladly, I might add) $9.00 an hour for 20 hours a week. All the techs are Apple gurus and love working for us and especially with the equipment (XServe is just so cool.) It's amazing having people who are so enthusiastic about the software, hardware, and the company that makes them. The techs are excited to come to work and troubleshoot when needed.
Everything runs smoothly. Regular backups on the XServe, use NetBoot and Bombich's NetInstall for setting up the labs (takes about an hour to set up the master disk image, then only 30 minutes to deploy on 40+ Macs), and we're moving to an OpenDirectory structure by next year.
The biggest problem is convincing developers that there's money in it for them.
Most are under the impression that they shouldn't bother with anything other than Windows because there's no money in it. "95% of the market is Windows, so why bother with a poultry 5%" type attitude.
Also, added to the cost is desktop support. If you write a game for just Windows you only have to worry about Windows problems. If you write a game for Linux and Mac OS X, you have to hire, train, and then troubleshoot Linux and Mac problems.
The other problem is to convince developers to NOT design their game around proprietary technologies such as DirectX.
By the way, this information comes from the developers themselves. Personally, I think it's a bunch of crap excuses for lazyass companies trying to squeeze out every profit they can by minimizing responsibility. I'm an avid Mac user but I just recently had to buy a PC just to play games. Counter-Strike, Infantry, and Subspace are Windows only and impossible to play under emulation. However, I'd LOVE to see all my favorite games running under Linux and Mac OS X so I can chuck Windows.
If game developers can't be convinced to even write games for the Macintosh using the above excuses (especially the marketshare one), why would they be at all interested in a desktop that has an even smaller marketshare than the Macintosh?
Lindows is using the EXACT same tactic that Microsoft used to help boost their dominance in the market. In fact, the following scenario was brought up during the U.S. trials and was one of the main reasons why Lindows can sell here.
Set your Wayback machine for 1984. While not necessarily revolutionary in the business side of computing, Apple's Mac OS was absolutely incredible for your average consumers. With command lines and keyboards offered from your latest PCs, the Macinosh was quite litterally a "computer for the rest of us."
A customer walks into the store and asks the clerk: "Hey! I want that new computer... you know, the one that has all the windows on it."
Clerk: "Oh, you mean Windows."
Customer: "Is that the one?"
Clerk: "It's the only one called Windows."
Customer: "Oh, ok. Give me that."
I know SuSE Linux is available for PPC. I would be interested in seeing this run on a Macintosh, especially since Sun encourages its employees to use Macs at home.
Completely removing Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer is going a little too far. They should just implement some of the earlier suggestions in the U.S. trials by making each of those "features" an optional install at the BEGINNING of the install process. Have a Customize button just like in Mac OS that lets you choose which features you want to have installed on the OS.
I think the difference between an Application and an OS feature for Microsoft is whether or not those "features" are available for other operating systems. For example, Windows Media Player should not be a feature because it's a full fledged application for Mac OS. Likewise with Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer (though Microsoft could get away with Explorer still since they no longer offer it for Mac OS.)
I find it irksome that when it comes to security Microsoft likes to point out the distinctions between "features" and OS when considering a security hole. If there's a security problem with Internet Explorer, they don't call it Windows, they make sure everyone knows it's just Internet Explorer and not the "OS". Likewise if there's a problem with Windows, it has nothing to do with Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc.
So if Microsoft likes to refer to these "features" as separate entities in relation to security, then they should be treated as such and made removable during installation.
I have a better reason: AMD can fab those CPUS easily and IBM has better things to do than fab chips for Macs. Apple needs to make sure it doesn't have to stop the assembly line for IBM to fab more CPUs. My guess is that Apple will have AMD produce IBM 970 chips alongside IBM. IBM probably doesn't want to be the first in line for Macintosh CPUs, there's not enough money in it for a multi-faceted operation like IBM. AMD can produce ample chips and they might be able to make a profit doing it
I think you have this backwards. AMD just recently signed up to use IBM's new manufacturing plant to increase production yield on chips and allow for higher process manufacturing (.09 micron.) IBM wouldn't be disrupting anything to "just" manufacture chips for Apple. Since AMD will be booming in the embedded business when/if HyperTransport takes off, they'll need the extra manufacturing space to produce their chipsets.
You're also overlooking a very obvious clue to the PowerPC 970 being the chip of choice for Apple: the fact that IBM has included an AltiVec engine (and by that name, too.) IBM has stated before and stated again that they will not be using AltiVec, that it's simply there for 2nd and 3rd party vendors to take advantage of.
Can you name one practical vendor that utilizes AltiVec other than Apple? I highly doubt IBM is catering to Amiga.
The whole thing about Apple being in talks with AMD is more plausible if it's put in terms of HyperTransport chipsets and software compatability, and not switching their entire platform over to AMD64. As noted before, IBM and Apple are both on the HyperTransport consortium, it's only reasonable that they need to talk to each other now and again regarding HyperTransport issues. If you see on The Register or some other place about Apple being a purchaser for chips from AMD, please keep in mind that it's most likely HyperTransport chipsets and not Opterons.
As reported in the April 27 (2001) issue of the journal Science, IBM researchers have built the world's first array of transistors out of carbon nanotubes -- tiny cylinders of carbon atoms that measure about 10 atoms across, are 500 times smaller than today's silicon-based transistors and are 1,000 times stronger than steel. The breakthrough bypasses the slow process of manipulating individual nanotubes one-by-one, and is more suitable for a future manufacturing process.
Story is here.
I finally feel, for the first time in my 28 years, that humanity is actually doing something DIFFERENT and NEW, as opposed to slapping a rev 27 on an old idea.
I assume you mean after this war on Iraq (oh, and Syria... and Iran.) Then hummanity will actually do something different.
No, really. We will. This is the last war that includes ownership of oil fields, seriously.
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Do the students go home for lunch? The article just stated they have laptops for students at the school who don't participate in the 1 to 1 program.
I would assume it's very similar to the school district where I work. Our district is all-Mac, with our school in particular having a voluntary 1 to 1 program, with 8 mobile laptop carts of 30 MacBooks each that serve the whole campus for students in each class who don't participate in the 1 to 1 program.
There are no problems with students using the laptops at school, during lunch, break, or even after school so long as the laptops don't leave the campus. When they get home, they're perfectly welcome to use whatever computers they want, be it a Windows or Linux PC. The students just bring in their classwork on a USB thumb drive, or, do their work on Google Apps for Education which we administer on our domain. With the Google docs they can do their work at school or home and have easy access if they don't want to bother with a USB stick.
Only about 1/3 of the school participates in the 1 to 1 program, and the other 2/3 are doing just fine. There is no pressure on any student to participate in the 1 to 1 program except out of convenience.
No matter the name, this is the same company that told me for over 3 years that all the problems I was having were my fault, not theirs. Despite having a 3 second ping (yes, 3000 ms), apparently Comcast considers that acceptable and not worth fixing. If I wanted a technician to come out and check the lines, I would have to pay for it. Comcast was my only option, my address didn't qualify for DSL, which is ironic considering I live in "Silicon Valley." AT&T finally started rolling out U-Verse in my area, which I jumped on immediately. By immediately, I mean 2 full months of trying to convince AT&T to send a technician out to hook me up because their survey monkey simply didn't put my address down in their Excel spread sheet database; every address around me was eligible for U-Verse, including three apartments I shared walls and ceilings with. AT&T "fixed" the problem, apparently, by inverting their spread sheet. Now I'm the only address at the complex eligible for U-Verse. *sigh* At least I have U-Verse and I can actually play games online. A couple weeks after I finally got U-Verse installed and canceled my Comcast, Comcast sent over two technicians. Despite having a large, red, "No Soliciting" sign on my door, they interrupted my friends and me on a nice Saturday evening of D&D (it was after 7PM). They explained to me that were aware of all the problems I was having, and attributed it to old, out-of-spec wiring at the apartment complex, and a misconfigured node in my area that was causing latency problems. I was actually pretty speechless. I finally asked them that after 3 years of telling me "it's on your end," you fucktards bother me on a Saturday evening to finally own up to your own incompetence? Pointed at the no soliciting sign, told them to fuck off, then slammed the door.
I work at an all-Mac school district, with my school having 300 Macs alone. We have 8 laptop carts with 30 MacBooks each, 2 computer labs with roughly 20 iMacs each, 1 laptop or workstation for each staff and faculty, and we're piloting a 1:1 laptop program with about 30 students enrolled in the program. Here is a list of what I use to get the job done:
1 Server with OS X Server (preferably 10.6.)
1 24 port gigabit switch
NetRestore (you don't need this if you have 10.6 Server.)
Apple Remote Desktop Software
It's straight forward, there are lots of very easy to follow guides online. You can pick this up even if you know nothing about Macs at all. Basically you set up your server for NetBoot. Your clients will boot off the server, then block copy an image to their HDD. You can do this via NetRestore Helper which makes a simple-to-use GUI, or, if you have 10.6 Server, all of NetRestore's functionality is now apart of 10.6's NetBoot utility. You can also do it via CLI.
You can use shell scripts to automate tasks. They can be set to run before the computer is imaged (partitioning the HDD, for example) or after it has been imaged (setting the sharing name, joining a domain, setting up printers, or installing additional software.)
Apple Remote Desktop will allow you remotely manage each computer. You can do asset management, updates, software installs, etc. Coupled with ARD Server on the Server itself, you can automate these tasks. Similar to Active Directory.
If your organization has invested in LANDesk and/or Altiris, both will take advantage of an OS X Server and streamline the process. You'll be able to do all the aforementioned via both LANDesk and Altiris; they basically just relay commands to the OS X Server. Both integrate the process pretty well. I don't know about Norton Ghost.
If you're using Multicast IP and have a gigabit switch, you can image batches of 20 computers (or more, depending on the switch) in 30 minute intervals. This varies depending on how big your images are, of course. Target Disk Mode via FireWire is a great way to image 1 off machines or to get data off failing hardware. Prep time for such a set up is about 2 hours (power, ethernet, setup, etc.)
Also, remember that's it's UNIX. You can do everything I just mentioned via command line if you're a keyboard junkie.
Here're some indispensable links to help you get started:
http://www.bombich.com/
http://www.macenterprise.org/
http://www.wazmac.com/
Keep in mind that the hardware is more expensive, but I've found the support to be a lot easier than Windows. Cost savings is in the support of the machines. There are also no client access license fees if bound to OS X Server directly instead of ActiveDirectory.
Nilbom is Moblin spelled backwards!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zygz77Zz1i8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VDYdaXApNk
Parts 1 and 2 of the BeOS Demo.
Incredible multitasking capabilities, journaled file system, enhanced thread management; all designed from the ground up to take advantage of multi-CPU computers.
The demo is absolutely incredible. Remember, this is on mid '90s era technology. Dual Pentium with a few hundred megabytes of RAM. No discrete video card.
Seems like every time they release some sort of Character building application, it's Windows only. I'm not a programmer, but it seems like there are a ton of options out there to make applications cross-platform. Maybe just make it a website or something.
According to PCI-SIG, the guys that created PCI, PCI Express is not only software backwards compatible, but also hardware backwards compatible with PCI and PCI-X using the appropropriate hardware bridge.
PCI Express is software compatible with PCI and PCI-X, but the physical connection is different. There are already specifications available for PCI Express-to-PCI/X bridge, so you need'nt worry about your "legacy" PCI devices becoming useless after PCI Express' adoption.
We have three labs with a total of about 43 Macs. A mix of eMacs, iMacs, G3 towers, G4 Towers, a dual XServe, and one dual G5.
So far, in the past two years, we've replaced only 1 eMac because it was having trouble booting, and it was under warranty. The only major failures are the dumbass B&W monitors that came with the G3s. Of the 12 we had, only 3 are left. They've been replaced by Hitachi monitors which are working perfectly. Lucikly we're getting brand new eMacs to replace all the B&W G3s (not because they're broken, but because they're too slow for OS X Panther + Adobe CS.)
We have 4 techs, each paid (gladly, I might add) $9.00 an hour for 20 hours a week. All the techs are Apple gurus and love working for us and especially with the equipment (XServe is just so cool.) It's amazing having people who are so enthusiastic about the software, hardware, and the company that makes them. The techs are excited to come to work and troubleshoot when needed.
Everything runs smoothly. Regular backups on the XServe, use NetBoot and Bombich's NetInstall for setting up the labs (takes about an hour to set up the master disk image, then only 30 minutes to deploy on 40+ Macs), and we're moving to an OpenDirectory structure by next year.
Pluto doesn't care what you call it, it's f*cking rock.
The biggest problem is convincing developers that there's money in it for them.
Most are under the impression that they shouldn't bother with anything other than Windows because there's no money in it. "95% of the market is Windows, so why bother with a poultry 5%" type attitude.
Also, added to the cost is desktop support. If you write a game for just Windows you only have to worry about Windows problems. If you write a game for Linux and Mac OS X, you have to hire, train, and then troubleshoot Linux and Mac problems.
The other problem is to convince developers to NOT design their game around proprietary technologies such as DirectX.
By the way, this information comes from the developers themselves. Personally, I think it's a bunch of crap excuses for lazyass companies trying to squeeze out every profit they can by minimizing responsibility. I'm an avid Mac user but I just recently had to buy a PC just to play games. Counter-Strike, Infantry, and Subspace are Windows only and impossible to play under emulation. However, I'd LOVE to see all my favorite games running under Linux and Mac OS X so I can chuck Windows.
If game developers can't be convinced to even write games for the Macintosh using the above excuses (especially the marketshare one), why would they be at all interested in a desktop that has an even smaller marketshare than the Macintosh?
See what happens when people get carried away with DND? It'll be 3 hours of bickering and we'll never get the adventure started.
- Gullstaff, Sorcerer of Light.
Lindows is using the EXACT same tactic that Microsoft used to help boost their dominance in the market. In fact, the following scenario was brought up during the U.S. trials and was one of the main reasons why Lindows can sell here.
Set your Wayback machine for 1984. While not necessarily revolutionary in the business side of computing, Apple's Mac OS was absolutely incredible for your average consumers. With command lines and keyboards offered from your latest PCs, the Macinosh was quite litterally a "computer for the rest of us."
A customer walks into the store and asks the clerk: "Hey! I want that new computer... you know, the one that has all the windows on it."
Clerk: "Oh, you mean Windows."
Customer: "Is that the one?"
Clerk: "It's the only one called Windows."
Customer: "Oh, ok. Give me that."
It'd be a pain the ass trying to play Karateka at those speeds. :)
I know SuSE Linux is available for PPC. I would be interested in seeing this run on a Macintosh, especially since Sun encourages its employees to use Macs at home.
Those "features" should, however, be optional.
Completely removing Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer is going a little too far. They should just implement some of the earlier suggestions in the U.S. trials by making each of those "features" an optional install at the BEGINNING of the install process. Have a Customize button just like in Mac OS that lets you choose which features you want to have installed on the OS.
I think the difference between an Application and an OS feature for Microsoft is whether or not those "features" are available for other operating systems. For example, Windows Media Player should not be a feature because it's a full fledged application for Mac OS. Likewise with Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer (though Microsoft could get away with Explorer still since they no longer offer it for Mac OS.)
I find it irksome that when it comes to security Microsoft likes to point out the distinctions between "features" and OS when considering a security hole. If there's a security problem with Internet Explorer, they don't call it Windows, they make sure everyone knows it's just Internet Explorer and not the "OS". Likewise if there's a problem with Windows, it has nothing to do with Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc.
So if Microsoft likes to refer to these "features" as separate entities in relation to security, then they should be treated as such and made removable during installation.
"When can I have my Wi-Fi LAN runing on ELF :)"
Probably after Christmas when the Elves are at the unemployment office.
3) The PayPal account gets highjacked and we lose $9.5 million.
At least they got Gb and GB correct. ;)
Is the $2.4 million to cover the Microsoft licensing fees after the laptops are so graciously "donated?"
I have a better reason: AMD can fab those CPUS easily and IBM has better things to do than fab chips for Macs. Apple needs to make sure it doesn't have to stop the assembly line for IBM to fab more CPUs. My guess is that Apple will have AMD produce IBM 970 chips alongside IBM. IBM probably doesn't want to be the first in line for Macintosh CPUs, there's not enough money in it for a multi-faceted operation like IBM. AMD can produce ample chips and they might be able to make a profit doing it
I think you have this backwards. AMD just recently signed up to use IBM's new manufacturing plant to increase production yield on chips and allow for higher process manufacturing (.09 micron.) IBM wouldn't be disrupting anything to "just" manufacture chips for Apple. Since AMD will be booming in the embedded business when/if HyperTransport takes off, they'll need the extra manufacturing space to produce their chipsets.
You're also overlooking a very obvious clue to the PowerPC 970 being the chip of choice for Apple: the fact that IBM has included an AltiVec engine (and by that name, too.) IBM has stated before and stated again that they will not be using AltiVec, that it's simply there for 2nd and 3rd party vendors to take advantage of.
Can you name one practical vendor that utilizes AltiVec other than Apple? I highly doubt IBM is catering to Amiga.
The whole thing about Apple being in talks with AMD is more plausible if it's put in terms of HyperTransport chipsets and software compatability, and not switching their entire platform over to AMD64. As noted before, IBM and Apple are both on the HyperTransport consortium, it's only reasonable that they need to talk to each other now and again regarding HyperTransport issues. If you see on The Register or some other place about Apple being a purchaser for chips from AMD, please keep in mind that it's most likely HyperTransport chipsets and not Opterons.
As reported in the April 27 (2001) issue of the journal Science, IBM researchers have built the world's first array of transistors out of carbon nanotubes -- tiny cylinders of carbon atoms that measure about 10 atoms across, are 500 times smaller than today's silicon-based transistors and are 1,000 times stronger than steel. The breakthrough bypasses the slow process of manipulating individual nanotubes one-by-one, and is more suitable for a future manufacturing process. Story is here.
64-bit Solitare!
I finally feel, for the first time in my 28 years, that humanity is actually doing something DIFFERENT and NEW, as opposed to slapping a rev 27 on an old idea. I assume you mean after this war on Iraq (oh, and Syria... and Iran.) Then hummanity will actually do something different. No, really. We will. This is the last war that includes ownership of oil fields, seriously.
I think they were referring to it being the first Macintosh version that will only run under Mac OS X, not carbonized or executable under Classic.