Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1998 00:51:59 -5000
From: Eric and Randy
To: net_tech@powernet.nsw.gov.au
Subject: E&R 1998 Technology Report
Reply-To: Net_Tech@saas.nsw.edu.au
Sender: Net_Tech-owner@saas.nsw.edu.au
INTERNET ACCESS
In 1998, the first group of Slipper Elm schools have received their
State Government supplied (public funded) 64k ISDN connect. This will
replace the previous four 28.8k dial-up connections and whatever
supplementary arrangements schools may have had with local ISPs.
PROMISE: This is the way of the future - It will allow immediate, cheap,
school wide Internet connectivity for 30 or more concurrent users on
your school LAN.
REALITY CHECK: Recent Government reports and the communications industry
at large agree that this technology has already reached its used-by
date. ISDN is very expensive and, without additional hardware, will be
stretched to support more than four or five concurrent browser/ftp users
at each site. Seeing as it contradicts commonly held industry
perceptions, the claim for thirty concurrent users must be based on
extensive analysis of the results from the trial project... which have
yet to be published?
1998 SCHOOLSNET INTRODUCED
Schools to be linked to Internet and administration via a State-wide
Intranet
PROMISE: This is a visionary plan to implement one of the largest
Intranets in the known world. Schools will gain Internet and Intranet
connectivity exceeding their wildest imaginings.
REALITY CHECK: The "vision" should perhaps more correctly be described
as "hindsight" - implementation up to the planned level is probably
already at least three or four years too late... and it is still
probably several years before even that level will be achieved! The
system currently delivers fewer services than most schools could easily
and immediately obtain from any local ISP for a fraction of a percent of
the proposed SchoolsNet connectivity costs!
The only way this project appears to be visionary is by comparison with
previous plans - which have not been bad - they have been pathetic!
1998 COUNTRY-OFF-LINE INTRODUCED
Not only will schools benefit as outlined above, this project is about
connecting Schools and Rural Communities. Schools may (at their
discretion) provide community access to Internet via the school network.
PROMISED: High speed Internet connectivity initially delivered to 25
"pilot" schools. Extensive trialling has already confirmed that this
new, cost effective service will deliver community and school Internet
services of a type that remote farmers truly deserve!
REALITY CHEQUE!: A hastily conceived plan where potential political
point scoring seems to have expediently replaced the, non-existent,
trialling and evaluation process. It would be a major challenge for
anyone to differentiate the "SchoolNet" program - from
"Country-Off-Line" - except Country-Off-Line does seem to have a
budgetary allocation ($80,000 per school). The published budget of $2
million for 25 schools (Gov Press Release) plus $20 million per annum to
the major Telco/Service provider (reported by Gov representative at a
recent conference), and unknown tens of millions for associated
infrastructure and hardware, makes one wonder whether similar or better
outcomes could not have been achieved for considerably less money?
PUBLICALLY FUNDED COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS
Improved learning outcomes through access to quality technology.
PROMISED: Centralized purchasing and distribution of computer hardware
would ensure student access to modern computer equipment whose quality
and suitability would be guaranteed by suitably qualified technologists
from within the Department.
REALITY CHECK: Tens of millions of dollars spent on equipment of such
poor quality that most respectable computer suppliers have withdrawn
from making an offer to supply. This, combined with questionable
specification procedures and no apparent product testing or independent
quality assurance of any kind, would be grounds for dismissal in most
non government organizations.
NEW GROUPWISE AND ADMIN SERVERS
The largest Netware/Groupwise Network in the whole world!
PROMISED: Budget allocations and high profile public announcements by
"the head cheese" since June 1997 - have promised Slippery Elm schools a
new, universal administrative and email solution based on a new Novell
IntraNetware Admin server. This includes a replacement for the old
MOLASIS software, a comprehensive school administration solution for
Year 2000 problems, and introduction of the groovy new Novell GroupWise
software products.
REALITY CHECK: The original project degenerated into a fiasco - with the
plug pulled on ten "test" servers placed in schools for three weeks at
the end of 1997. To add insult to injury, the servers themselves were
apparently not even tested for year 2000 compatibility - we heard that
those servers subsequently failed a standard Y2K test... to say nothing
of the year 2000 compliant workstations attached to the server... "what
workstations" you may well ask ask?!!! But rest easy... As it turns out,
this is not a "head office" problem: some bright spark realized that if
they could "con" school principals into taking responsibility then the
hierarchy wouldn't have to provide a solution at all... Impossible you
say? Guess what -- most principals have already taken full responsibility
and even formally signed on the dotted line!
PROPOSED "MOLASIS" ROLLOUT
Cross-platform, Year 2000 Compatible Administration Software.
PROMISED: A new server will be provided which will combine the
previously separate Library and Administration servers. The new system
will be known as MOLASIS. Rumour has it that funds will be allocated to
allow schools to connect (CAT5 or Fibre) Library and Administration
buildings so that the new MOLASIS (combined Library and Admins servers)
and ISDN connectivity can be installed prior to June 1999. The main
purpose of this rollout will be to ensure that school Finance and
related records can be brought up to Year 2000 Compliance Standards.
REALITY CHECK: If the Department is true to form, then schools that have
already invested money in cabling structures will be disadvantaged.
Schools who have spent funds on swimming pools will (as usual) gain
additional funds for technology. Schools who actually utilize technology
(as demonstrated by their own preference to fund technology (cabling)
initiatives) will thus be disadvantaged. It seems almost impossible to
believe that these brave beaurocrats will go down the same path again
after having been so derided and despised for previous attempts. Schools
with any sense of history will simply lie when asked if they have
network connectivity between Library and Admin. This culture (cynical
lying and cheating) seems to be one undesired, but predictable, outcome
of percieved repetetive, beaurocrat led, injustice and incompetence.
One bright spot is that schools end up with an ISDN connect to what
eventually may become an effective Departmental Intranet. But, given the
budget and political backing, any technology minded person with minimal
training and no knowledge of school education practice would be hard
pressed to do worse :-)
It seems that, yet again, the decision makers have utter contempt for
public opinion... as well as public funds (and in an election year
too)!
But then maybe we've got it all wrong?
Your comments are invited.... but like the beaurocrazy - we won't
guarantee we'll take any notice :-)
Normally E&R like to back up our assertions with direct reference to
source documents... To meet our current deadline, we simply don't have
time to do that now - but we would be happy to do that if anyone takes
issue with any of the above stuff.
