Collaboration for New HN Materials

The imminent introduction of the new HN Computing Frameworks will have an impact on our workload at a time where budgets are being cut across the sector. As we are all delivering some vendor qualifications you will already know that vendor options within the frameworks can make up a large portion of the delivery and help increase quality, increase retention, reduce time and effort to run with these subjects. Beyond this though, there are still a number of units that individual centres will require to develop teaching and possibly also assessment material for. In order to help reduce this workload, why don't we (as a consortium) work together towards sharing the development of these materials to reduce the workload. It gives you a chance to develop a unit that is in your specialist area and receive, from other member colleges, developed material.  These materials can be pooled and shared between member colleges. The benefit of doing this as a consortium is that we already are a team, there would be no separate group, we all know each other, have collaborated on projects and are forward thinking. If you like the sound of the idea, I can co-ordinate this on behalf over the consortium, just drop me an email or phone call to indicate your initial interest in the idea. Thanks  Iain t. 0141 272 3297 e. ishand@cardonald.ac.uk

Price Grid 2012

Here is the latest Price Grid. Click on the link below.

Price Grid 2012

Windows 8

Although the release of Windows 8 is a long way off (indications suggest late this year) there is an opportunity for you to try out Windows 8 and see what all the fuss is about.

From the screenshot you can see that the start button has gone and has been replaced by the metro style interface.

If you want to install it - it can be run on a standalone machine, as a dualboot, or via virtual methods (VMware, VirtualBox and Hyper-V)  Note: It does not work with VirtualPC due to the changed kernel in Windows 8.

I installed it quickly and easily using VirtualBox
http://www.virtualbox.org

The developer release Windows 8 files were available here
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516


Support for running Windows 8 in a virtual environment is available here
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/16/running-windows-8-developer-preview-in-a-virtual-environment.aspx

Have fun...

Windows XP to Windows 7

Its now just 800 days until Microsoft officially stop support for Windows XP.

With a typical organisation taking 18-24 months to plan and deploy Windows 7 now is the time to think about it. 

With this in mind - there may be an opportunity for you to deliver tailored short courses covering this topic to local businesses.

There are a number of (free) resources and tools that can assist with the migration to Windows 7

First of all, start by downloading the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). It removes the need for disc imaging, migrates your data in place during deployment, and (best of all) it’s free.

Some other tools to help make your move from Windows XP to Windows 7 easier include:

• Automating the Migration from Windows XP to Windows 7 End-to-End
• Migrating User Files and Settings from Windows XP to Windows 7
• Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Guide
• Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals (check the Windows compatibility status of more than 27,000 applications)
• Video: Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010
• Video: Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 Using the User State Migration Tool (USMT)
• Need some help? Find support in the Windows 7 Installation, Setup, and Deployment forum.

Questions about Windows XP EOS and what it means to you and your company? Make sure to check out the End of Support website for Windows XP and Office 2003.

Merry Christmas from Iain and Ruby, wishing you a relaxing holiday. 

If you get time - de-stress by playing our Consortium Christmas Game!

We look forward to supporting you in 2012


Festive Game link - Click Here :-)

Following our successful meeting on Friday, please find attached a copy of the presentations.

Consortium Event on Friday 16th December 2011

We are looking forward to welcoming you all to the consortium event on Friday.  I hope it will be an interesting, informative and enjoyable session.  I'm particularly looking forward to the free exam session in the afternoon.  If there is space I will give an exam a go myself.

Here is the agenda