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--- "Gregory A. Terry" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > ... I think a better > idea is to invest or even lease thin client software > (like Citrix) rather than upgrading work stations > and servers, it costs far less money and will make > your older desktops run like new pentium III's. Think carefully before you go the Citrix route! We've been using Citrix, at the elementary level, for nearly four years. There is virtually no technical support for educational software titles. In fact, it is rare to find a technician from an educational software company who has even heard of Citrix. And, the majority of software titles for elementary school have a lot of multimedia which doesn't work with Citrix. Money wise: Take into consideration the cost of the software (Windows NT licensing, plus the $1000 for every five licenses for Citrix), and the high powered servers to run it, which can deplete a meager budget quickly. Maintenance issues on our old PCs consumes a great deal of my time. There is also the problem of finding someone else in education with whom to exchange information -- I've tried for four years and haven't found anyone yet. Support from Citrix isn't cheap. That said, I do think it would be a good solution for high school and, possibly middle school, where the majority of software used is from MS and where it is being looked at as a solution to problems unrelated to cost. There is a great deal of control from the console/server, it's a simple one step install for software that is compatible, and it is easy to maintain once it is configured correctly. You don't have to worry about ghosting machines that have been hacked by students, or recreating desktops -- all you really need installed on the "thin client" is an OS and a Citrix client. I'd be happy to talk with anyone who has experience with Citrix (Gregory?) and, would also be happy to share my experience using it at the elementary level. Joanne Finnegan, Technology Coordinator Richmond Elementary School ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bill Kimball > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 11:33 AM > > > Hi all - > > > > First sorry for the duplication of this message, > but I want to reach as main of you as possible. > > > > Here at Lamoille south we are investigating the > option to lease our technology equipment. Is anyone > in a lease agreement at this point with their > technology infrastructure? I would like to hear from > those of you that have signed a lease how this is > going for your school districts and is it lowering > the total cost of ownership of the equipment. I > have a few questions about it. > > > > How long have you been in a lease? > > Who do you have the lease through? > > What have been the pros and cons to be in the > lease? > > What is your total percentage of your technology > budget and/or hardware budget that you have > committed to a lease? > > What is type of equipment is on the lease? > > Have you seen an increase in use of technology by > students since you have enacted the lease? > > Did the lease change the instruction for the > students by increasing the number of machines that > the students have access to? > > > > Thanks a bunch for the advise. > > > > Bill > > > > > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > Bill Kimball > > Information Technology Director > > Lamoille South Supervisory Union > > P.O. Box 340 > > Morrisville, VT 05661 > > (802)-888-4541 > > (802)-888-6710 fax > > www.morrisville.org > > www.stowe.k12.vt.us > > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/