Hit: CD-ROMs, Software policies

["Rita J. McKillip" <mckillip@OMNIFEST.UWM.EDU>]

First of all, I would like to thank all those who responded!!

Results of the questions:

1. Do you allow CDs to circulate:

        -a range of responses:
                *most said no during summer
                *some buy multiple copies to circulate during school year
                *some said no during school year (depended on purpose of CD)

2. What is out there like FoolProof for IBMs/compatibles:

        AutoPilot
        Full Armor by Micah Development $70
        Direct Access
        Superlock/Superlock Pro 249/499 J.Lyons  lyonsjf@aol.com
        3D (T. Munichillo 528 McRoberts Ave. Toronto, Ontario Canada M6E4R4

3. Can teachers bring software from home for school use? What is they buy
it with their own money for school use?

        -a range of answers, with the majority saying "no!"
                *yes, if purchased with school money
                *no, implies it's installed at home and it's illegal
                *yes, virus scan on ea. computer & distribute copyright
                 policy
                *yes, but original disks kept in classroom and list of
                 installed programs is available for ea classroom
                *no, hard for staff to distinguish home & school use
                *no, often obtained illegally anyway
                *no, district and school spot checks
                *yes, leave it to the professionalism of teachers

4. Can networked computers go home during the summer? (note NETWORKED)
        -most said no
                *too much trouble and TIME to set up everything in fall
                *no, virus
                *no, had a machine "totally messed up"
                *yes, first remove printstation assignment and workstation
                 assignment and obtain responsibility statement including
                 insurance
                *yes, hand in cable, outlet number, & responsibility statement

5. How to control what's installed on classroom computer
        -a range of answers, but most have a firm control whether it be
         through a committee or tech person (often the LMS)
                *I don't; there's no time to "police"; just hand out
                 software laws and expect compliance
                *I don't; no time; I'm both sysop and LMS
                *advise in the beginning of the year; that's it
                *state policy & expect compliance (make a big deal
                 out of copyright & licenses)

                *technology team person loads software on teacher's individual
                 machine (software locks this feature, see # 2 above)
                 Software is installed by tech person if teacher buys
                 software with own money and orig. boxes and licences
                 are kept in school.
                *Stand alones belong to teachers; teachers buy own
                 software with classroom funds
                *District VERY STRICT; every machine has list posted of
                 programs and spot checks for compliancy are done by
                 school tech people and district

6. Is there a technology committee to decide on software purchases? Hopefully
   the LMS is a member!!
        -mostly yes
                *yes, only for the lab and the network
                *classroom computers are under the control of the teacher
                 there is one machine not on the network for the teacher's
                 personal choices
                *yes, tech committee select programs that go on network

7. Are CD towers on the way out?

        (I guess, I shocked several people with this question. Several
         wrote and requested results.)
                *
                *most responded with a "I sure hope not!".
                *what would alternatives be...online databases?

                *no real results on this one

8. Menuing program on top of ICLAS & SchoolView; is there one?

        -some of the programs listed in #2 are more of a menuing
         program, like AT EASE (you'll have to investigate each
         of those and compare

        -"3D" was suggested to do just what I'd like (see #2 for address)

After thoughts:

This was an intensive survey. I feel I took on too many questions at
once; that's why it took so long to compile, organize, and present
the results.

I'd appreciate a little "yes, it helped me".
Did you find any of the above information truly helpful.

I feel there are alot of people with similar needs.
I hope someone else posts related questions or the same ones as time
goes on.

Thanks so much!

Rita
Rita McKillip, Library Media Specialist
Milwaukee Public Schools
Garden Homes Elementary
mckillip@omnifest.uwm.edu