Western Australia's Department of Education and Training (DET) has recently commenced a new project that will see an array of Apple Macs installed in a large number of selected schools throughout the state.
Through the program -- Learning with ICT Schools Technology Upgrade Project -- the department will purchase Apple's Intel-based iMac, Mac mini and MacBook machines for the designated schools.
The effort is the successor to the department's 100 Schools Project, which kicked off in 2003 and was the initial phase of an overarching program to upgrade IT and communications infrastructure in schools.
"Apple desktop and notebook computers were procured as part of the 100 Schools project," the department wrote in tender documents recently released. "This contract will expire in 2007."
The education sector has traditionally been a heavy purchaser of Apple products, although Microsoft-based PCs have also made in-roads into that market in recent years. Schools are able to select other Windows-based or Apple products beyond this rollout, as per their needs.
DET has gone to market for a supplier of the Apple technology, noting that the establishment of coordinated government procurement guidelines meant the successful vendor would supply other institutions in addition to public schools in the state.
"These agencies include TAFE colleges throughout WA, the Curriculum Council, the Department of Education Services, the Western Australian College of Teaching and the Country High Schools Hostel Authority," DET wrote in tender documents. The new contract will be for a period of two years.
DET did not respond to a request for comment by the time of press. The department's ICT function is headed up by chief information officer Bevan Doyle.
Whaat? you must be bloody joking, little do people on the outside know what a big stuff up the 100 schools project was and still is. for a start:
Before the 100 Schools project came along, everything in nearly all of the high schools involved was running at least 15% faster and more efficient, why? because they run at least 150 different login scripts before the systems are ready to be used by the students, it takes on average between 1 minute - 8 minutes depending on system specs for a machine in my high school to be ready to be logged into.
They won't allow "qualified" network administrators/network managers/mcse etc to logon to Domain controllers, why? because they are control freaks, why else, because they are scared someone might do something to make it work better, and not receive a hand behind the back scheme between it's two preferred IT contractors.
They make us use a useless email system which has between two & twelve outages a month for a period of sometimes days, because: its Oracle they won't allow each school on the 100 schools project to run their own internal email system, we are forced to use RIS to re-image workstations, which is so time consuming and bandwidth intensive.
Want more complaints? sure:
They make us buy crap computer systems from two vendors, that are over charging us by at least $400.00 i can build the same computer system with better parts including a operating system license for $800.00 inc GST under their pricing: $1,300 ex GST but we still have to pay the GST.
They say that kid's (students) love webmail, hahaha they can't even forward on their school work to their home email providers,
They don't provide adequate internet filtering software, they make us pay top dollar for things we don't want or need to buy.
I don't know of one person out a very large contingent of schools that is happy that everything is being controlled by little men in little cubicles in Silver City (DET) especially when skills of people are being wasted.
I also am annoyed at the fact, that they won't give out Local Machine Administrator Passwords I have had to LophtCrack them to get the passwords
Why??? because of people that have know idea how the IT world works run projects such as: 100 Schools Project and the Learning with ICT projects
They make us instead of buying a new mainboard, processor, ram, larger hard drive etc and utilizing old computer cases that are still in good condition throw them away and buy new ones.
Not only do they do this but they stay at least 6 versions behind on nearly all available software why? because they say they have to test it, rubbish they still won't allow Office 2003 and how long has that been out? they were supposed to have Fully Tested & Ratified the entire Microsoft Office 2003 suite at least two years ago, well this hasn't happened. We instead are stuck with an outdated out of shape useless office Suite Microsoft Office XP which BTW Microsoft no longer supports unless its a security related vulnerability.
Have I complained???
Of course I have complained, what good does it do?? nothing i get told to be quiet but enough is enough!!!!