RE: [seul-edu] Comprehensive Student Management System

["Raybould, Kevin" <KRaybould@AppGenesys.com>]

Chris

I think I hear you say that you believe the program would be more useful
(assuming that we don't have the resources to build it cross platform from
the beginning) to build a Linux X version first, as its more likely that
systems moving to Linux already would choose to make use of it?

If that is the case, then I would be forced to agree - it is probably better
to build a Linux centric one first.  

I would think, however, that if we find we have the people and the time,
then we should start out trying for cross platform compatibility.  It would
make things easier in the long run.

As for the name, sorry, I'm having enough trouble picking one out for the
baby on the way.  Program names are completely beyond me at this point. :)  

Kevin Raybould
Unix Engineer/Programmer
3160 Directors Row
Memphis TN 38131
kraybould@ionictechnologies.com
9
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Edwards [mailto:cedwards@wcs.k12.va.us]
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2000 2:31 AM
To: seul-edu@seul.org
Subject: Re: [seul-edu] Comprehensive Student Management System


Kevin,

I know for a fact that even in my own system, accepting an entirely new OS
is
going to be hard.  Even with 3/5 of the technical staff being strong Linux 
advocates, getting some teachers to even consider will be rough.

Maybe I am a glutton for punishment, but I feel that a there is a good
chance
(if written properly) of a cross-platform GUI that runs natively on UNIX,
Win,
and Mac environments.

As a design decision, it should be considered that building a cross-platfom
framework into it at the begining will be benificial later on.  However,
I feel that as a priority, using it on a Linux Desktop under X is more
important for those who are already in the process of moving to Linux
Desktops.
For now, there are other applications that the Windows/Mac institutions can 
use.

As a person who supports this kind of software day in and out, I feel that
data conversion from existing applications is a very important goal.  I have
lived through nightmarish data conversion processes before and wish that on
no one.

I am working on getting the specifications of the SASIxp system up on the
web
for those interested.  I also have end-user documentation in PDF format
for those interested.  I will send links for this info when it's up.

If any of you have an interesting name for a project such as this, please
step forward so that we can get mailing lists set up for detailed
discussion.

If you are aware of any other student managment system that you or your
local 
school district is using please give as much info as you can.

I would also like to work with some of the other projects once we get
further
along to make a fairly seamless integration.  This alone would be a welcome
feature for most school system network admins. 


Chris Edwards
Computer/Network Technician
Washington County Virginia Public Schools
http://www.wcs.k12.va.us

On Thu, Aug 31, 2000 at 03:19:33PM -0500, Raybould, Kevin wrote:
> Ray
> 
> I agree that web browsers can be a limiting UI, but my main concern was
> acceptability.  I would think that some school systems would balk at
having
> to install new desktops on teachers machines.
> 
> However, I don't know that, I just suspect.  Perhaps list members who are
> school sysadmins could provide us with their opinions?
> 
> At any rate, I think Chris probably has a good idea - one interface for a
> pure Linux environment, one (whether it is web based, or a gui that can
> function across multiple platforms) for heterogeneous environments.
> 
> Kevin Raybould
> Unix Engineer/Programmer
> 3160 Directors Row
> Memphis TN 38131
> kraybould@ionictechnologies.com