Tag Archives: Policy

TS Policy: End of Life Specifications

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Originally Published Oct 2009 – Updated Apr 2012 (Newest items in Bold)

This policy is meant to provide some clear guidelines regarding what technology will be assigned as an End of Life (EoL) asset and no longer supported after the date attached to the specific hardware, OS, or software below. An exponential increase in the demands on Technology Services makes it impossible to support everything. This will also help in planning for technology as locations with EoL devices can prioritize spending based on the policy.

End of Life assets can remain in the district however there will be no priority or funds allocated to their servicing.

Special consideration may be given to assistive technology for 1701 identified students whose IEP requires technology that does not meet the specifications below. This could possibly include conversations with the School Principal/LAT, Technology Services, and Student Support Services regarding the appropriate solution.

As computer technology changes rapidly, the specifications of this policy are to be reviewed yearly by TS management and the SD60 Technology Committee.

Operating Systems (OS) that will no longer be supported

  • Mac OS 9 or older (May 2010)
  • Windows 2000 or older (May 2010)
  • Win2k Server (September 2011)

Hardware Systems that will no longer be supported

  • PC – Pentium III and older [Pentium IV, and newer will continue to be supported] (May 2010)
  • Mac – G5s, G4s, G3 computers and older (powerbook G4, ibook G3, rainbow imacs, emacs)  (May 2010)
  • Old Thin Clients (December 2010)

Hardware Devices that will no longer be supported

  • Inkjet printers-except drafting plotters (already in effect)
  • CRT monitors (already in effect)

Software that will no longer be supported

  • Any software that requires an EoL OS listed above (as per date listed on OS above)
  • Email Clients (eudora, thunderbird, outlook, entourage, mail etc) (December 2009)
  • Report Writer (September 2011 or as BCESIS training allows)
  • Success Maker (EoL date TBA hardware dependant works on G4s or PC, server dependent that we will not upgrade)
  • Microsoft Office unless needed for job functions (replace with Open Office for new hardware, or cost borne by school/dept for licenses)
  • Asgard (July 15, 2011)
  • IE 5 (September 2011)
  • IE 6 (May 2010)
  • Citrix for Library Services (TBA)
  • Office X for Mac on WWP laptops (July 2014 [next refresh] or earlier depending on Operating System compatibility)
  • Apple Works for Mac (future operating systems will not support the old PowerPC software architecture)

 

This policy is set to be reviewed December 1st of each year by TS and partners if they wish to share ideas.

TS Policy: Printer Purchasing

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Policy: Printers (purchasing and servicing)

HP-LaserJet-P2055dn-Printer

New Printer Moratorium
Moratorium discussion from March 2012 http://www.prn.bc.ca/ts/?p=1514

Technology Services will no longer support the addition of new printers to the school district unless they have a specific educational purpose (ie adding a drafting class and needing a plotter, a new fine arts class needs a color printer etc)

This does not apply to replacement of current printers however but does apply to an expansion of the number of printers already in schools.

Replacement of current printers should consider the cost and volume of use for the printer to be replaced to determine if the printer should be decommissioned or be replaced with a different volume capacity.

3D printers are not included in this moratorium.

Technology Services will only purchase, install and maintained printers that are

  • Laser
  • Brand: HP
  • Duplex
  • Networked and Shared
  • Connected via windows print server
  • Multifunction where appropriate

Exceptions can be made for special purpose printers (colour, or secretary cheque printers, plotters etc)

If a school wishes to purchase a replacement printer that technology services will support, they work order technology services via helpdesk.prn.bc.ca

Rationale

Provincial carbon reporting, and cost reporting from other school districts have identified need for strategy to reduce printers, printing and paper consumption. Shared printers and multifunction devices reduce physical device duplication costs as well as power consumption etc. This hardware strategy will be eventually coupled with a printer use & education strategy.

 

Acceptable Internet Use – Board Policy 0202

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A couple of highlights from Board Policy 0202 – Acceptable Internet Use which governs all staff and students in their use of online resources along with the Acceptable Use Agreement which all students/parents are to sign at the beginning of the year if they wish to use any technology in the district.

  • Internet access is provided for educational and research purposes and to provide opportunities for collaborative work
  • Copyright violation is a bad thing, respect the work of others
  • Use of Internet/email for commercial, political, product/service advertising is prohibited
  • Your email is not private, district staff have access to your email – you should be cautious of what you send or write including private student information.
  • Security is a high priority, you should protect your accounts and passwords
  • Please refer to the network etiquette in the policy, be nice to each other online.
  • Users accept all risk

Please take the time and read 0202 so that you are aware of it.

TS Policy: Catering

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In an effort to reduce our waste stream the following policy has been created.

All arms of the Technology Services department will follow these guidelines when purchasing food for sessions.

  1. Any containers/materials supplied by a caterer to deliver food should be preferably reusable or at least recyclable (no Styrofoam, no non-organic waste, no plastic utensils)
  2. We are to use reusable plates, dishes and utensils
  3. Participants of the session will be asked to help clear the dishes to either the SBO or SSS dishwasher and help clean any reusable containers from the caterers
  4. Plastic containers or paper bags are to be cleaned by session participants and recycled

Caterers are to be informed of this policy. If they cannot meet our policy on certain items we will not purchase those items from them (nb: usually soup in styrofoam containers). If they will not or cannot meet our policy we will discontinue use of that caterer.

Policy: Environmental Sustainability

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Technology services will reduce our environmental footprint whenever possible. Our department will be environmentally and fiscally sustainability. With this in mind we will do the following:

-reuse or sell devices when appropriate rather than recycling
-recycle computer parts when they reach an end of life and cannot be reused or sold. (before recycling a hard drive it must be drilled/destroyed or seven+ cycle wiped)
-choose components that can limit or reduce power consumption
-limit waste: reduce, reuse, and recycle any materials (paper, plastic, cardboard, boxboard etc) that enter our shop
-virtualize servers instead of purchasing new ones where appropriate
-turn off non essential services and hardware over breaks
-unplug charging adapters that aren’t in use