Thanks to a grant proposal we have the funds to network our small Mac lab
that is presently located in the Media Center. It consists of 6 LC 520's,
three 6100's AV, and 1 575. We are planning to use ethernet.
My first goal to to be able to use our CD-ROM library with all the
machines. This library consists primarily of research, text-based,
materials such as SIRS Researcher, Ebsco's Magazine Article Summaries, and
NEWSBANK. However, I would also like to add at least one multi-media
encyclopedia, our World Atlas, and a Health Reference as well. These do
contain some multi-media components. Also, in the future when additional
funds become available, I would like to hook the entire system to our
building wide network--it is a Novell one, Windows 95 based.
1st question--Apple currently has a library research server bundle that
includes a 6150 16/700/CD workserver, an optical access CD/maxtet 4x CD-ROM
tower, and various CD's. It seems a little expensive at 8,499, especially
since we already have many of the CD's it offers, however, a great
attraction is the ease with wich it is "supposed" to work. We have money
to pay for the installation, however, we do not presently have a
district-wide technology person, and ease of use is very, very important to
me. Has anyone purchased this system?? Are you statisfied with it?? I
know it will work much better with my text-based CD's than my multimedia
ones, however, will the encyclopedias work, albeit, more slowly that I
would like???
2nd question--some have recommened that I go ahead and buy the workserver,
or perhaps an even larger one, and buy individual CD-ROM drives to hook up
to the work server. I have been told this works "better" for MACs that the
tower??? Any comments on this?? If this is the preferred route to go, are
there and CD-ROM drives recommended?? Apple's prices seem high, but,
again, I am working with out tech support here except what I get from this
list....
3rd question--is what I am asking for even possible?? Many whom I have
questioned seem to encourage me just to worry about networking the lab
internally because the headaches to hook into the building-wide lab would
be too great. Encourager of access that I am, I hate to settle for this.
Do I have to??
Are there other things I should be worrying about that I am unaware of??I
hate to spend this "windfall" on something that will be outdated in a
couple of years. The expertise on this list is tremendous and I really
value your opinions...please help!!
Bonnie Fish
Cameron High School Media Specialist
Cameron High School
(816) 632-1634
(816) 632-7671
dfy001@mail.connect.more.net