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What is server-based computing?
At the heart of the thin-client network is server-based computing:
all software is loaded and processed on secure, central servers.
Server-based computing is different from server-based information. With
server-based information, you have data on servers that users access and
pull down over the network to their desktop for processing. Applications
work only as fast as the end user device. With server-based computing,
applications and processing occurs on the server rather than the desktop.
This means that only mouse clicks, keyboard strokes, and images travel the
network to the desktop. Server-based computing maximizes server power,
minimizes desktop requirements, and requires less network
bandwidth. North Babylon's system will be customized for educational
settings to make the most of sharing, profiles, shadowing, printing and
other server-based computing features.
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1.
How many computers are there in the schools? What are
their locations?
Is there a computer lab in each school?
The district currently has over 2000 computers. There
is 1 computer lab in each of the 5
elementary schools, 4 computer labs at Robert Moses Middle
School and 7 computer labs at the High School. In addition there
are computers in all of the libraries (22 in the high school and
8 in the middle school). All
computer labs and basically ALL computers in the district are
networked and Internet accessible.
2. What kind of tech personnel do you have?
The technology staff consists of Donald Shevlin who
oversees the Technology Department, Peggy Scharf, department
secretary, and Linda Davison and Nicole Losito, Computer
Technicians. We are ably assisted by a full time Project Manager
and two
full time technicians from Network Outsource. We
are responsible for all District computers, the fileservers, the
ten networks and all associated routers and
switches. We are also responsible for setting up and
maintaining all computer systems (Business Office, Special
Education, student maintenance and security systems and
Transportation). The District also has a district-wide
Technology Committee that meets regularly.
3. How do you report problems with the computers?
Each building has a computer mentor who is the first
person to look at a problem machine. If they cannot
resolve the problem they submit an electronic "help ticket"
that is checked on a daily basis. We can respond to this
help ticket. This way all service calls are date stamped
and recorded.
4. What instructional programs does the school own?
At the elementary schools we subscribe to myschoolhouse.com,
and offer several software selections such as Student Writing
Center, Microsoft Office XP, Type to Learn, Kidspiration, and
many more. At the secondary schools we subscribe to WorldBook online,
Study Island, Rosetta Stone, Microsoft Office XP, Mavis Beacon,
Microsoft Visio, AutoCad, and several others. At the high school we
also subscribe to various
databases and other resources.
5. Tell me about the
infrastructure. How many servers do we have? Do we
have a WAN or LAN?
The district currently has 10 LANs (local area networks)
in the buildings and one WAN (wide are network) connecting all
buildings to one central location. There are 66 file servers and
115 network printers in the district as well as 31 projectors
available for instructional and presentation use. Each building
also has Smart Boards and Video Conferencing capability.
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