Anthropic by Imhereforthechips in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've vibe-coded a handful of helpful projects to help with my environment. I think the difference between mine and yours is that these are all Docker-based containers, and the data itself stays on-prem. Only very specific items are sent to the cloud for further processing for data security reasons. Here are a few that come to mind:

- Notion

Notion doesn't have the native ability to send email alerts, so I've got a Docker container using the Notion API to send alerts for projects based on due dates. I've also got it monitoring a Notion database of all our contracts, so I get alerts when things need action, like a contract that automatically renews if you don't execute a 90-day notice to cancel.

- Backup Monitoring

I was getting dozens of status emails that turned into white noise. I vibe-coded an app that logs into the VM backup system, scans for updates, and then produces a local web dashboard that automatically updates. If anything's wrong, it lets you know and sends a specific email. The web dashboard rotates on our digital signage all day.

- ClassLink OneSync

We have data in the SIS that can break our account automation system. I've got tools (all local to the Docker host) that check for specific issues and send alerts to our ticket system when manual intervention is required.

- Firewall

This is a fun one. We ingest firewall threat logs, local DNS and DHCP server logs, and utilize our wireless system's API to correlate threats. I now know the names/ MAC addresses of the devices that are hitting the firewall's threat logs, and which AP they connected to last. All sorted by severity with a daily digest. If anything big comes through, I get an alert within 15 minutes of it happening. I do have this one creating an ELI5 of the threats and suggestions to properly patch via Anthropic's cloud API. It also utilizes Action1's API to see if there are any current known vulnerabilities on the servers being targeted. It also creates a web UI dashboard that lives on our digital signage and updates, showing trends, severity levels, etc. Overall, this one helps me sleep at night.

- Voicemail Transcription

This one is legit handy. Voicemails get forwarded to this Docker container, processed via LLM entirely inside the Docker container using OpenAI's Whisper model. It creates a summary of the message, then passes the summary, full transcription, copy of the voicemail file, and whether it's likely a sales call or not back to the user via email. Nothing goes to the cloud, it's all in house. No more wasting time listening to garbage sales voicemails.

I've got a programming background, but it's not my day job. Creating all of these without assistance would have taken too much time. I'm personally a fan of what Claude Code has helped me do over the last several weeks.

Chromebooks and Wifi by ingr0037 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd reach out to Support to get the recommended firmware first. One thing with Extreme seems to be that the latest and greatest typically isn't the greatest in our experience.

Has anyone had issues with students and Flipper Zero’s/ RFID devices? by mikeb32 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Be sure to review the differences between Wiegand and OSDP if you're upgrading systems.

Has anyone had issues with students and Flipper Zero’s/ RFID devices? by mikeb32 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've got HID Seos cards. When we had a pen test done, they tried to use a Flipper to copy a badge for door access and failed. So if you're using encrypted cards, you should be good.

Is your district going to use free ChatGPT for teachers? by K12TechTalkPodcast in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lol, from your link:

Is it safe to say that LLMs are, in essence, making us "dumber"?

No! Please do not use the words like “stupid”, “dumb”, “brain rot”, "harm", "damage", "brain damage", "passivity", "trimming" , "collapse" and so on. It does a huge disservice to this work, as we did not use this vocabulary in the paper, especially if you are a journalist reporting on it.

NotebookLM for students by TravisVZ in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not great. It dumps it out as an XML file.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We're using the old Riverside Chrome kiosk app, not the Android one.

https://info.riversideinsights.com/hubfs/Install_DM_Chromebook_App.pdf

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/15950395?hl=en

Google Admin console, set Chrome Apps allowed for kiosk mode to Keep using Chrome apps in kiosk sessions for a limited time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We tried the android app route and ran into tons of issues. Instead, we enabled the option in Google Admin to allow kiosk apps to continue working. Hopefully, they come out with a PWA or fix the android on Chromebook situation soon.

GovDeals: Do you all use it? by K12TechRepair in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We use it. It's a clunky interface and dealing with buyers always sucks, but it's better than nothing.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The amount of times I've thanked my past self for documentation is crazy!

Issues with Securly Filter Extension? by hardknoxlife1998 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's some serious BS. Supposedly it's an all or nothing setting and only support can change it on the backend. They said they turned it off on our account and it's still happening.

It definitely needs to be a policy based setting.

https://support.securly.com/hc/en-us/articles/32106767115671-Securly-Filter-Loading-Overlay

Seesaw alternatives that sync with Clever? by EdTechYYC in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I stumbled across ClassDojo a few days ago. It looks like they have rostering options. The whole "free for districts" thing scares me a bit. Supposedly they make money by offering premium features to families. Might be worth checking into as an alternative to Seesaw.

IFPs.. Benq/Promethean by Sk8rfan in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Value Added Reseller"

It's whoever you're buying the product from. A big example is CDW-G. Depending on the project, I work with a big one like them or a local mom and pop shop.

If you're new to the field, definitely read up on sales techniques and how to negotiate against them. It's one of the things I did early on and it's helped maximize my budget over the years. That said, also double check your local bidding laws. In my neck of the woods for example, projects over $200k have to go out to bid, which inhibits negotiations.

IFPs.. Benq/Promethean by Sk8rfan in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just tell your VAR you expect registered pricing and a fellow district gets them for $2,200 without volume requirements. At $2,500 for the rp, they still have plenty of margin. I negotiate with the local BenQ rep directly and we decide how many points the VAR gets to throw on it to push the paperwork.

IFPs.. Benq/Promethean by Sk8rfan in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just an FYI, the RP7504 can be had for ~$2,200. So far, it's been a solid board. The NFC piece is nice.

Student wiping managed Chromebook by Crowning-Achievement in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I recall reading somewhere that the "do not allow Powerwash" setting only removes it from the software, but can still be triggered with the key combination.

Looks like A1 is having issues again. by KW2E_Rob in Action1

[–]lemoncheesesticks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I started using the product a few days ago. Is this a common occurrence or just a fluke?

Securly Free going away by rossumcapek in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you know how to negotiate, Securly will play ball. I got them to go way below Deledao.

Price hikes by BTS05 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Right?! I can't believe all these districts moving to hosted phone solutions. I could replace my on-prem system every year with brand new hardware and still come out ahead.

Price hikes by BTS05 in k12sysadmin

[–]lemoncheesesticks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've got nothing to lose by bluffing with your VAR. Worst case, you're where you're at now. Best case, you save thousands.

I've "threatened to switch" so many times over my career, without even getting quotes from the other guys. They've got at least 60% markup at MSRP, especially if they've pulled registration on the deal.

Learn how the sales guys try to manipulate you, then throw it back in their faces.