OS X has the ability to do it's own maintenance if you can just work 
out what files to execute. This is the mundane stuff that needs done 
on a regular basis but no one has time for or would mean cancelling a 
lab class to do it.

With the help of my co-worker, Tannon Weber, OS X has now been set up 
to automatically do it's own maintenance. And if something does 
happen, it will require one of the techs to come out and fix it. Lab 
aides will do updates and need to repair permissions after installing 
updates. But that generally will be the extent of it. The small 
little issues that bothered you with OS 9 like freezes and the 
computer running slowly will be a thing of the past. The computer 
freezing is already a thing of the past. You can ask Jodie Thompson 
about that

OS X generally does nor need defragged. If you are a "power" user, 
doing lots of graphics or moving an extremely high volume of files on 
and off the computer, defragging is still a good idea

All upgrades from now on will have this feature. So if yours has been 
upgraded, I have a list of who has been done and we will get to you. 
I can't tell you the exact timetable yet

------------------------------------

To date I have only found two applications that have annoying 
problems in OS X. These are Playroom and KidPix.

The Playroom may have a bigger problem. The problem I encountered 
with it in OS X has occurred simultaneously in OS 9 and nothing I 
have tried has resolved it in OS 9 let alone OS X except using an 
updated version. I will have more info on that at a later date.

KidPix needs updated to KidPix X. The stamp feature either crashes 
the app or the stamp moves in a less then predictable way. Any new 
district licensing will come through Ed Tech. On an individual school 
basis you could upgrade. Debbie Daughtery at Adams did that and was 
able to get the upgrade at a discount. You can ask her about that and 
what she thinks of KidPix X

And that's it. I've made everything else work that I have been asked 
or told about. For those of you that never upgraded to Mac OS 9.2.2 
for your labs because of software incompatibilities I will soon start 
testing to see how well your software will work in OS X. I hope to 
have an answer by the end of the school year. The Ruby class of iMacs 
should have 192MB to 256MB memory, 256 or more preferred. Other then 
that, I just need about 20 minutes with one of your iMacs to create a 
custom, one off image. Nothing special is required for you to set it 
up. There is two week "tweak" period I extend to all new upgrades. 
And any done during summer will have that tweak period when school 
starts
-- 
************************************************************
Dale Bottrell
Mesa Public Schools
Computer Repair Technician
Plan for the worst, work for the best

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