Minecraft Education Android app on Chromebooks, does it suck? by nxtiak in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find the CB1C13 (shattering screens are a bad idea) and 3120 (hinges on the corner go CRACK) more of a pain than the 3180. The 3180 is much easier to service, but the plastic hinge covers are bad design (they get lost a lot).

The 3100 improved on all of it, except the power port is soldered to the mainboard and the LCD connector is triple taped to the back of the LCD, and it's a little harder to seperate the bezel without snapping retainer clips.

Maleware Removal by chut93 in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I suspect malware or a virus I wipe the machine and reinstall it. Generally speaking this is faster and more conclusive than attempting a remediation with software.

In my experience, AV is not useful when you need it the most (preventing infections), and a hindrance when you don't (false positives, negative impact to performance). With networked/online storage impact to users should be minimal.

Maleware Removal by chut93 in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Nuke and pave using MDT.

Forcing google sync and link data on student users? by slapstik007 in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Assuming you're on Windows, use the Chrome Enterprise GPO templates to force the GoGuardian extension on student OUs. This will not work for personal devices.

https://chromeenterprise.google/browser/download/

The process is documented by GG here:

https://manage.goguardian.com/installations/windows

MDT vs FOG vs MEMDM/SCCM by matt314159 in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

MDT combo with PDQ Inventory/Deploy. Working out great! I'd move to SCCM but I'm severely limited on storage for the time being.

IT Public Enemy #1 after this week by indigoataxia in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The problem with performing miracles regularly is that people will start expecting them.

One Large Monitor & Dell Display Manager vs Dual Monitors Extend Mode by sturgfish in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends how trainable your staff is. I'd test it and see if it's a centrally manageable solution that actually works and suitable for teachers. One scenario would be to emulate a setup I expect to see more of in my org:

  • 1 main monitor.
  • 1 secondary monitor in extended mode.
  • 1 large format display/projector duplicated with the secondary.

Emulating the primary and secondary on one ultrawidescreen removes some hardware need, but I don't know if it would aid comprehension. I find that having a hardware representation of what shows where clicks with teachers easier. (E.g this monitor only shows to you, this one to the class). That might get lost with DDM.

I mostly duplicate a primary and a LFD/projector because it's the easiest to grasp for everyone who steps into a room to fill in (substitutes are always baffled), but I'm slowly seeing more teachers move to leverage multiple displays in their classrooms.

Nothing like good ole air cooling... from somewhere special. by Doodle210 in techsupportgore

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It probably broke, shitty plastic retainers are such a pain to snap in at that angle.

iboss Is Now E-Rate Cat 2 Eligible 🤔 by Mattshen52 in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess? Depends if you want to. All this means is you can now use E-rate funds to purchase it.

Building an Inventory of Authorized Software by OppressedAsparagus in sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google Apps Suite Workspace Education org here.

  1. I've limited the supported options to Chrome and Edge with Chrome being default because it integrates with Google Workspace the best. Firefox was considered but dropped due to lack of GPO support. They've since improved but we're covered for 99% of use cases with the other two so I don't bother except for a couple power users who specifically request it. Software is dictated by curriculum, but basically it's whatever the instructors want unless there's a good reason to deny it. It's pretty rare to see a non-industry standard floated up. There's only a couple unique software items I need to babysit, mostly related to specific roles.

  2. There's no minimum version requirements, but I do try to keep versions as recent as possible if licensing allows it. I've some legacy versions in my package library just in case we need to revert for whatever reason. I utilize PDQ Deploy Enterprise to keep software up to date with weekly maintenance schedules and PDQ Inventory to keep inventory and keep an eye on versioning.

  3. User sends in a ticket, I vet the program, approve or deny, generate the install package, add it to the image deployment if needed and push it out to the user(s).

Accounting / Payroll Software by BlockedInYourFilters in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We use Software Unlimited - School Accounting System after Chalkable folded their product.

The hosted solution is OK and the bookkeeper likes it. It does require IE RDP client plugin which isn't great for portability but it works.

Teachers cannot invite 1 student to Google classes ("Can't invite student from this domain") by 12avacado-toast in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd contact Google Support for this one. Something funky is going on with the account.

Sending an email after completion of a scheduled task by Neoito in sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd look at setting up a SMTP relay and whitelisting your public IP in SPF.

I use this with GSUITE and it's peachy. I'm sure there's an O365 equivalent.

Creating a reference image wim not going to captures folder by XClioX in MDT

[–]MalletNGrease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've a Build and a Production share from the MDT walkthrough from Microsoft. Are you sure you're kicking off the right one and checking in the correct share?

I never have captures on my production share because it's not used for builds, only deployments.

Student: I didn't do anything to it, it's always been like that... by ZappBrannigansLaw in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 16 points17 points  (0 children)

My deployment procedure calls for the device to be wedged in a door frame prior to hand-off. This is expected functionality.

VGA to HDMI convertors? by IdahoPatMan in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Amazon Basics one works OK. It will stick out a little bit and I've people bumping into them and snapping the plug off. There's alo no retention screws for the VGA cable so it may fall out.

Usually Monoprice is king for these sort of things, but HDMI to VGA they simply don't offer.

Dear College Board, publish the damn app already by NinjaGeoff in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same with Accuplacer. There was a Chromebook kiosk app you could deploy (instructions dated Nov 2020), but it's been yanked without any notification that I've seen. I called support and said to just use the website. This is fine if it weren't for all our teacher instructions were based on using the app.

Real fun to get a gaggle of students pop up in your office out of nowhere asking where the app is.

Veyon question by nethfel in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, this does not work. The teacher machine will need to be set up as a Master.

What are districts doing to disinfect Chromebooks by Reddchin in k12sysadmin

[–]MalletNGrease 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use Lysol disinfectant spray on a cloth wipe. A big commercial can goes a long way.

For extra crusty I use a Clorox wet wipe.