I like to make my life easier.
And I am kind of anal.
So I end up creating lots of little systems (like this wiki) that are designed to keep my network running smoothly, with as little stress as possible.
Some general thoughts - perhaps some of these thoughts will be flushed out into more in-depth articles - for, now it is a brainstorm run-down of things I do to make my life more productive, and less stressful:
- GTD: The process itself, as well as my GTD Website which we use in the Technology Department as part of our weekly meetings (and the fact that we have this as a weekly agenda in our meetings).
- OmniFocus for Mac and OmniFocus for iPhone.
- Tech Tickets: A help desk system we created, integrated into FirstClass
- Server Manager: A FileMaker database I created to manage everything you need to know about a server: specs, serial number, software licenses, passwords, configuration notes, migration planning
- MCX Manager: A FileMaker database I created to manage my WorkGroup settings: users, applications, notes on special configs, etc
- Hardware Software Management Tool: We use CasperSuite, but there are many other products out there that do similar things to manage hardware inventory, software distribution, and policy enforcement.
- PO Manager: A FileMaker database I created to manage my purchase orders. Makes it easy to search by product, vendor, part, PO number, invoice, etc. Comes in handy when answering questions.
- Budget Files: A simple spreadsheet I use each year to plan my budget. Each school year, create a folder with the year designation, and recreate the same files for an easy-to-navigate budget system.
- User Database: A FileMaker database I created to manage users, building assignments, accounts and passwords, room numbers, etc.
- The Numbers: A FileMaker database I created to manage all the numbers we are always asked: How many users do you have? How many in each building? How many staff vs facility? How many computers do you have? How many are lab stations? How many switches do you have? How many drops? Fun stuff!
- Tech Plan: We are all required to create a tech plan. So how do you use it? I have a nice chart that says what I plan to do, and checks things off as I do them. Nice record. How do you handle budgets? Reverse engineer them!
- InterMapper: monitor your devices, monitor your services, and notify you when you have changes (outages). Graph your network usage.
- ARD + LOG Database: Need to know who logged into this computer on a given date? How about what applications were run? How about create a report that shows how your elementary labs are being used over time?
- Manual Database: Not really a database at all, just a neatly organized set of folders organizing all of the manuals for every piece of hardware and software used in the district. Searchable by spotlight. Nice.
- iRex iLiad: Screen reader for said manuals. Stop printing those 500 page manuals and carrying those 4-inch ring binders to the beach. (you do read tech manuals at the beach, right?
- CircusPonies NoteBook, Omni Outliner: Two great outlining, note-taking applications. they are my main documentation tool, and what I will use to develop this wiki. I use them to write down my notes on how I get something installed, configured,and running.
- Passenger: Used to manage users and permissions on an OS X Server. Nobody should be managing an OS X server without Passenger. If you are, you are working too hard.
- Clean Installs: Every year. Start over. All servers, and all clients. Do it.
- Don't update if its not broken. I usually install my master images in the first part of July. And that is where they stay, unless there is a critical failure that needs an update or patch to fix. (Until the stat MCA online testing, this was never)
- VPN: The VPN client allows you to manage your network, whenever you need to
- OmniGraffle Pro: Need a diagram of your network? A flow chart? Need to draw a floor plan for new lab? How about just make an icon? OmniGraffle Pro.
MN K12 Tech Coordinator Tips & Tricks
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