The idea is that you automate the process as much as you want. Example: instead of having to tormat the HDD and install win xp +service pack 1, then download and install the next service packs and hotfixes, you download them all and integrate it into a single CD which you can then install and stops you from faffing around. Even things like windows product keys can be typed in advance so you don't have to do it each time.

You can use software like nlite or autostreamer.

Yes - I used nlite to create an XP CD with SP1 &2 and (at the time) a load of other fixes. I also removed various language packs etc. It meant that if I had to re-build the PC it used a reasonably patched version of windows

School want to put CCTV cameras in toilets.

News CLICKY

That's just a total fail. I know it's not directly in the cubicles (for obvious reasons), but I find even the principle a fail!

It depends what they mean:



If that's the area you wash your hands in, or get your brains kicked out in our case, then it's not like they're filming your genitals.

I hate that children are so evil that it comes to this, but it's a lot more sensible than stationing a security guard in every bog. Would you rather your son had his skull cracked open on the sink?

I just don't approve of being spied on absolutely everywhere you go.

They have a duty of care. If someone dies in the bog because of "privacy concerns", is that right?

I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.

Standard response of someone who knows they are totally indefensibly wrong. If you could justify yourself, you would.

Life >> Privacy

End of argument.

The standard response of someone who thinks that that position is just too silly for words.

With that attitude, why don't we have cameras absolutely every and tell everyone they have no right to and sort of right of privacy at all. All for the"greater good" or course. Lets have a micromanaged police state where everything you say and do is recorded. It might save a life after all.

You think these cameras will work? You think the bully won't just move to other locations? You think spying is better than dealing with the attitudes that cause the problem.

Not in the slightest.

Without privacy you have no life.

Some things are more valuable than life. Freedom, and the sense of freedom, is one of them.

I'm not convinced the argument on privacy is anything like as watertight in this instance as it is in other areas such as home life, emails etc.

Firstly, a school is not a private environment in any way, shape or form. Secondly, as has been pointed out, a school has a duty of care to its pupils, which doesn't occur in say the home. I'm sure any parent would take a pretty dim view of "little Peter has had to go to hospital with <injury>. Sorry, we don't know who did it as we have no evidence" etc. Obviously the best option would clearly be to root out the cause of the bullying, but in theory people have been trying to do that for decades and I don't see any signs of it going away. If anything it seems to be getting worse as there's very little that teachers can do by way of repercussion when someone is caught.

This. Addressing the symptoms, rather than the cause, is weak and half-arsed; and typical in our society.

Privacy >> Life

So we did a huge refresh project so Office 2010 would install on all the machines here (something like 500 machines) and we have been promised a night out. Rather than choose somewhere central to the office or easy for people to get home from they've chosen a restaurant in bloody Harrow!!! And then he expects me to get a lift home with someone that drink drives!! Think I'll have to post this in ranting and venting thread too!

Cameras in the toilets are not going to stop bullying, if that's what they're there for. Bullying can occur anywhere. As once having been a bully and bullee it school, you can't stop it short of having an adult with every child wherever they go. You couldn't have random adults because of the risk of abuse and hence mum and dad will have to trail round after their kids. This wouldn't work if the number of children was greater than the number of parents, so grandparents and other immediate relatives would have to be drafted in. Evidently an unworkable idea.

I hope the idea gets shot down.