Blog Entries - October 2004

Replacing ISA

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

How we can help you Consulting: we specialise in deploying Open Source alternatives to ISA. Deployment Training: we can train your staff to it themselves. Training Support: we're happy to offer support and advice for businesses keen to replace ISA themselves. SupportThe Sirius Way - 8 Steps for Success Ensure the deployment strategy matches business strategy.
- Never deploy technology for technology's sake. Get the [...]

LDAP Authentication

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction
What is LDAP?
Why use LDAP?
Credits Setting Up An OpenLDAP Server
Install Master Server
Secure Master Server with SSL/TLS
Populate Master Server
Summary of User Object Classes and Attributes Table
Install Slave Servers Configure UNIX Hosts for LDAP Logins
LDAP enable Samba PDC For NT Workstation Logins
Configure NT Workstations for LDAP Logins LDAP enable Samba PDC for NT Workstation Logins Configure NT Workstations for [...]

ICT Procurement

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

£200m unaccountable in school's ICT procurement

Becta cannot account for over £200m of taxpayer's money spent on software for schools according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The scheme known as e-Learning Credits (eLCs) was set up to make funds available to schools to buy software from an approved list of titles and suppliers.

By April 2006 schools had received £300 million pounds of funds to buy 'educational software' intended to enhance the curri [...]

ICT in Schools

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

Executive Summary

The UK is spending over half a billion pounds on ICT in schools. The DfES figures indicate that £500 million year is being spent directly1 and our figures show £100 million is spent indirectly on electricity2. In addition, projected figures based on government targets for computer and interactive white-board provision will see these figures more then double in the next few years.

Our report was prompted when BECTA (the DfES's ICT quango) made the very serious stat [...]

Electricity consumption by computers in UK schools

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

by Dr. John Spencer, Head of Business Development (Education)

Many measures have been produced to cost information and communication technology (ICT) in UK schools. These include capital equipment replacement cycles, the cost of software licensing and upgrades, the cost of the software applications themselves and the cost of technical support.

All of the above contribute to the total-cost of ownership (TCO) of school ICT and collectively is a cause for concern to BECTA, the gov [...]

Open Source for Schools

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

What is Open Source?

Many people have heard the term Open Source software but are not really quite sure what it means or whether it has any relevance to them.

Open Source software is usually developed collaboratively by individuals and organisations with an interest in or need for a particular application. The programming code is made freely available for people to use, and if they have the ability, to improve.

There are all sorts of reasons why people and organisations con [...]

Open Source in plain English

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

Much of the debate about Open Source has been in Technical terms, or increasingly in Political Terms.

I'm not criticising either, I strongly suspect that both will continue for some time, but many are left cold by this approach.

What is it about at the fundamental level, in plain English, in simple terms that leave no doubt?

At heart, the argument is simple - it's about cost, and it's about the best way to run IT in an organisation which gives the organisation the free [...]

Why Open Source?

tcallway — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

What should we think about when we select software for a given purpose? The truth is that software procurement can be fraught with danger, potentially very expensive danger. It is unfortunate that we cannot have people walk in front of us waving red flags for our safety. There are no maps with "here be dragons!" So, IT procurers, while you are contemplating cost and fitness-for-purpose etc., here is one less thing to worry about: Open Source.

People often think about Open Source in al [...]

Directory Services: Part 3

tcallway — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0100

This month's OPEN For Business! continues our LDAP mini-series. The series is about using directory services to make administration of your network easier, and potentially, how to replace every bit of proprietary software you may have in the network with better Open Source software, plus how to tie it all together. So far, we've covered setting up a Directory Service based on OpenLDAP, and everything you need to do to create a single user account base and single sign-on across all of your Ope [...]