By Lindsay Olsen, Principal
Six years ago, Allenton School, like many other schools, had an fairly uncoordinated collection of computers. We had Macintosh LC2/3s, Commodores and early DOS or Windows 3.1-based PCs. Ten classrooms had a computer and a 9-pin printer. The office operated the most modern machine in the school - a 386 PC. There were no other administration computers and the library had a manual card-based issuing system.
The school community and board of trustees were keen to see Allenton move ahead in ICT, but competing budget demands limited the funding available.
ICT plan
An ICT plan was prepared that set both a long-term vision and shorter-term goals. It was determined that we should make use of community expertise and labour whenever possible, and we set out to identify parents who might assist us.
In 1997 we participated in NetDay and cabled most classrooms, the library, and the administration area. At the same time we installed a telephone connection in every class.
We wrote letters to a large number of Canterbury businesses and two of them – Pyne Gould Guinness and Canterbury Meat Packers – donated a significant number of well-used PCs and Macintosh machines. This was our first experience with second-hand machines, and with cannibalisation and a great deal of home-grown maintenance, we were able to divert funding to the purchase of a new server and setting up our library for electronic issuing, etc.
By early 1998 we had a functioning dual-platform network based on Microsoft NT4, with both Macs and PCs operating in all classrooms and using SoftArc First Class software for our intranet. All old Commodores were sold off at a school fair, and with wonderful support from the PTA, several new Pentium 1 machines were purchased.
Technicians
A huge frustration at this time was finding qualified technicians. The Christchurch business that contracted to supply and install the server sent three different experts to the school over a short period of time – all offering different advice and solutions to minor but annoying networking problems. Local consultants were keen to offer business solutions, but they failed to understand the day-to-day requirements of a school. Most were happy to work with our PCs, but few wanted to know about our Macs. After continual problems with printing and Internet access, we accepted advice, removed our Macs from the network and used them as standalones.
Printing was provided by a number of Canon, Hewlett Packard, and Epson ink-jet printers, as well as a laser printer in the school office.
We needed to replace the Macs that had been on the network, and with very limited funding available, we purchased eight recycled Digital P1-133 computers from The Ark, a CANZ-accredited recycler in Auckland. These machines arrived on a palette within a few days of ordering, plastic wrapped, and looking like brand new machines!
Savings allowed further upgrade
The saving over new machines enabled us to upgrade our network to 100Mb, including intelligent switches, and extend it to all teaching spaces, resource rooms, and offices. A further ten Digitals from The Ark followed in the next year, along with a digital camera. A new MITA digital copier was added to the network, reducing our printing costs significantly. During the same year, a recycled Panasonic telephone system was installed, putting telephones in all classrooms and offices. A mobile fax machine was made available for classroom use, mounted on a purpose-built trolley made by our caretaker.
As students and teachers up-skilled, further uses for computers were identified. Several one-off purchases were made, again from The Ark, to support learning for both individuals and groups of special needs students. A machine with a high quality printer was set up to produce classroom resources, including laminated books, using the digital camera.
Switch to Linux
Late in 2001, it was decided to replace and up-grade our original server. After visiting a number of schools and investigating all options, it was agreed to change to a Linux based network. Smart Computer Systems of Christchurch was contracted to supply and install the system and software, which was carried out over the last Christmas holiday period. At the same time we changed to a Jetstream DSL connection.
In the two terms since this installation we have experienced no network or printing problems. Internet access is very rapid, and we no longer experience problems of dropping out. Internet safety is provided by the Smart solution, along with vastly simplified email and intranet features.
Ongoing maintenance
Until this year, I have maintained the school's ICT system myself, with the help of interested and knowledgeable parents. We have now contracted Steven Ferguson from Smart Computers for an annual fee. He maintains the system remotely, but can be called for on-site maintenance. So far this hasn't been needed.
In summary
Allenton School now has an extensive, well used, and very reliable computer network with excellent features. It has been established without resorting to huge cash outlay, loans, or hire agreements. It is using refurbished machines supplied by The Ark which have been 100 percent reliable. Maintenance costs have been minimal. The school will continue to purchase CANZ machines from The Ark, using them progressively in a network with software operating from a high specification server. The change to Linux has provided excellent reliability, and printing costs have been hugely reduced through the use of an on-line digital copier.
A few tips, based on our experience at Allenton
