Localzuk

Wonder if anyone would recognise this tune, and what TV series...

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:43:07 +0100

Wonder if anyone would recognise this tune, and what TV series it was used in? Beautiful song anyway!

Starting to like some dubstep…

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:06:57 +0000

Starting to like some dubstep…

ladyaches: abaldwin360: PBS Documentary Looks at Right-Wing...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:01:46 +0000

ladyaches:

abaldwin360:

PBS Documentary Looks at Right-Wing Promotion of Ignorance Through Textbooks.

(Sierra Voices) - Texas textbooks determine what children learn nationwide.

“I believe that dinosaurs were on Noah’s Ark … somebody’s got to stand up to these experts.” (Don McElroy, former member of the Texas State Board of Education).

source

Well, no wonder the GOP wants to defund PBS. Where can I send them a donation??!

Terrifying.

Dark Day - Ben-Ezra Sound Project Original (by...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:48:24 +0000

Dark Day - Ben-Ezra Sound Project Original (by BenEzraSoundProject)

This guy’s got some serious talent.

Renard - Terminal (by MusicByPhillip) Amazing song.

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:21:51 +0000

Renard - Terminal (by MusicByPhillip)

Amazing song.

geekfeed: It has become clear over the years that USB ports...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:27:46 +0000

geekfeed:

It has become clear over the years that USB ports exist in at least four spatial dimensions. 画

geekfeed: And cowboy coders must wear boot spurs.. 画 Seems...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:23:50 +0000

geekfeed:

And cowboy coders must wear boot spurs.. 画

Seems like a good idea!

thedorseyshawexperience: omg perf

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:20:56 +0000

thedorseyshawexperience:

omg perf

Great album. Nice easy listening, with an amazing first track.

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 21:37:53 +0000

Great album. Nice easy listening, with an amazing first track.

Instagram Blog: Thank you, and we're listening

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:11:03 +0000

Instagram Blog: Thank you, and we're listening:

instagram:

Yesterday we introduced a new version of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service that will take effect in thirty days. These two documents help communicate as clearly as possible our relationship with the users of Instagram so you understand how your data will be used, and the rules that govern…

I’ll retract my warning to friends when the new language comes out and it is less like they are trying to steal peoples’ souls.

georgetakei: True fans would perish the notion.

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:15:41 +0000

georgetakei:

True fans would perish the notion.

geekyloves: awesome

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 22:16:40 +0000

geekyloves:

awesome

Managing iPads?

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:45:00 +0000

Been looking at this as there’s gotta be a better way than the following (we use option 2 at the moment):

Set up a single machine with iTunes on, when changes need making to any iPads, plug them into the machine individually and let them Sync.
Buy what is basically a giant hub (ie. a trolley or other docking system) so that a number of machines can be plugged in at once.
Use a tool like Apple Configurator - which still requires plugging in for changes.
Use a tool like JAMF Casper Suite or Meraki’s free MDM platform. But this requires the user to accept Apps being installed when they’re deployed remotely, and possibly enter a password (not experimented).

Yes, I know, people say ‘you don’t need to centrally manage them!’ but that’s nonsense as far as I can tell.

Photo

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:48:18 +0000

Photo

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:59:58 +0000

Photo

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:52:53 +0000

Soon to be retired… all the old servers.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Soon to be retired… all the old servers.

New servers. HP DL380p Gen8, and DL380e Gen8 mmmmm

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:21:47 +0000

New servers. HP DL380p Gen8, and DL380e Gen8 mmmmm

Windows 8 - initial thoughts

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 12:11:00 +0000

I bit the bullet today and ‘upgraded’ from Windows 7 to Windows 8 on one of my machines. So, I thought I’d post up a few comments about the experience so far.

1. Dual monitor support. Still somewhat annoying! The charms bar appearing if you go to the corner when you’re travelling between monitors is a bit of a pain. Also, if you have had a ‘Metro UI’ type app open, and you think you’ve closed it, then go to normal desktop, it reappears on one of your monitors.

2. Charms bar - gets in the way too often. Go to press the X button in the top right of a window, and oops, you’ve accidentally opened the Charms bar.

3. Windows Media Centre - Why is this now a pay for optional extra? Ok, they’re offering it for free for now, but in time you won’t be getting that for free. Not to mention, it isn’t available on Enterprise edition at all.

4. Install process - needs to be a bit more verbose. Sitting on a black screen for 5 minutes whilst your hard drive light flashes like mad isn’t a good experience.

5. Incompatibilities - the wizard warns that Visual Studio 2010 is not supported at all, but testing shows it still works. So, it could do with being a little more clear there.

I’m sure more will appear to annoy me or please me over time, but we’ll see!!

Replacement cycles?

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:04:25 +0000

Last week I posted a question on Edugeek.net about a situation I have at work with regards to our network switchgear. All of our equipment was bought under the name of the old managed service provider as part of the BSF contract when the building was constructed. This means that now they have pulled out, the switches are out of warranty effectively, as we are the ‘second owners’.

As I view network infrastructure as being at the top of the list in terms of importance, this situation bothers me, so I was trying to gauge what the general consensus is about replacement cycles.

The response has surprised me - the vast majority of respondents have said ‘when it breaks’! Ok, for those with lifetime warranties, that’s fine, as they can get next day replacements of any broken gear, and they only really need to change the infrastructure when they need new capabilities, but those who have older, or out of warranty gear saying it? Somewhat shocking to me.

As Network Managers, we are charged with ensuring the uptime of our network - its basically our raison d’être. We plan replacement cycles for servers, desktops, projectors, printers etc… yet we’re willing to let the technology that holds it all together fail before we replace it.

I 100% understand those saying they have a lack of budget, however at the same time it makes me contemplate whether the importance of the switches has been put across to the senior management at those schools. Has the fact that without their core switch, they would have no network, no SIMS, no printers, no internet etc… been put across?

At our school, I’ve figured out that in capital expenditure alone, replacing all our switches would cost us around £35k at current market rates. Not a tiny amount of money, but an amount of money that I will be ensuring gets put into a 3 - 5 year plan, to replace all the gear.

I’d love to hear some responses to why network infrastructure is sidelined when looking at replacing equipment, so feel free to message me somehow.