Best products from r/k12sysadmin

We've been using the Brother P-touch labels for years now. I've found that the regular ones were fine for most equipment that didn't get moved or toted around much, but we use the strong adhesive variants on stuff like 1:1 devices, laptops, etc.

Actually, since we started buying that tape, we use it on pretty much everything. We tend to use the white-on-clear tape, because most stuff is dark colored these days, and it shows up well without presenting as much of an obvious target for picking at as the white tape. They make a whole range of the strong adhesive tapes, which all have a TZe-S model number.

If you go that route be sure you're buying the actual Brother labels; the knockoffs and off-brands are largely garbage, and Amazon is full of them these days. (Filtering by brand seems to work. You might also check with your office supply vendor, but Amazon generally beats the prices of ours.)

Only thing that I'd recommend doing differently from us would be to get one of their labelmakers that allows you to hook it up to a computer, which ours doesn't do.

We are currently demo'ing various makes and models.

The only complaint that has worried me so far has been viewing angles. So long as the students aren't seated too close to the wall that the board is mounted on, you should be okay.

So far my teachers seem most interested in the mobile wheeled mounts like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kanto-MTM65PL-Mobile-Stand-Screens-x/dp/B00RPP3262
With pretty much all of the brands capable of 1)on-board PC and 2)remote screen sharing - my teachers are looking forward to using the boards in small-group instruction anywhere in their room (wherever there is power).

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Also had a question for you - Does your teaching staff use SMARTs Notebook software to design lessons? Are you going with SMART branded displays? If not - how are they taking the news that SMART Notebook won't be available to them anymore or are you going to continue paying for SMART licensing?

So, one word of advice is to define what your goals are.

• Do you only care about catching vandals?
  
• Do you want entrance/exit visibility in case of an active shooter situation?
  
• Are you also looking to handle discipline cases?
  
• Who needs access to footage? Central/Admin Office? Principals? School Resource Officers?
  
• Do you require/want authentication?
  
• Do you want a closed circuit system, ethernet/poe system (IP), something in between?
  
  Answering these questions will help guide your decision process. Having said, I like some of the following offerings Sony's OnSSI, Cisco's Video Surveillance Manager, and Trendnet
  
  These are larger offerings, and I would also recommend using a consultant to make any of these happen.
  
  If you're in need of something much smaller, quick-n-dirty, the Arlo indoor/outdoor system isn't bad (can get from Best Buy) and I've heard ravings about the Canary video system as well from some smaller schools.
  
  In the meantime, not the WORST idea in the world to look into a fake camera or 2 to at least try and deter the less malevolent.

I'd recommend any camera with a HDMI out, A GoPro is way overpriced for the quality of the camera. They are for strapping to stuff and not having to worry if it is going to break, no filming in a studio.


As for software I'd recommend a Blackmagic Capture card. I have had the best luck with there cards and drivers. It works great with OSB Studio which is free, and works well with Youtube and most other streaming platforms.

That would be swell, but no generally we just take space when we can get it. We only have the helpdesk and IT offices for room.

I will say this though - Tribesigns makes some really nice and inexpensive tables that are perfect for this. $100 for a 4 foot by 2 foot table with a steel base and 2 inch thick particle board top. The L-shaped desk is a bit thinner AFAIK.

Normal rectangular desk
55"x 24" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071JRD9FF/

L-shaped desk
-66.14“(Long Side) x 49.21"(D) x 29"(H) https://www.amazon.com/Tribesigns-Modern-L-Shaped-Computer-Workstation/dp/B01HO7O40I/

Also, this is my favorite "value" chair.
https://www.amazon.com/Alera-ALEEL41ME10B-Elusion-High-Back-Multifunction/dp/B0049UCECE/

Only $200 but it's pretty darn robust not to mention comfortable.

One more note: avoid office supply stores like the plague, especially the chairs. While this seems counter-intuitive, the durability/performance of the chairs compared to price is half what you can get elsewhere, and generally everything is overpriced.

These are the best cables I've ever used and they have a lifetime warranty- https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerLine-Lightning-Certified-Compatibility/dp/B071JQSQLN/

All of their PowerLine cables are great, but these are the best. It may not be worth your time to contact support to get replacements though.

I've also heard good things about Monoprice's MFi certified cables- https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=112&cp_id=11213&cs_id=1083101&p_id=27402

This: http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-EXT-USB2-0-LR-USB-2-0-Extender/dp/B001RJ5FJY

...is the only one I've used that worth anything. Another version without the metal case but a plastic one, and almost identical internals is sold by black box. Both are actually/probably made by Icron. These units are the few that actually support USB 2.0 specs and require a dedicated CAT5e between them (yes, it's technically Ethernet, but the spec is a little different and you can't plug a switch in between, they have to be connected direct)

This thing: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-IPUSB2HD2-HDMI-Extender-Audio/dp/B005WKGZCU

...has also worked pretty good for me, but not all USB2.0 devices seem to work with it. Also you have to manually reconnect it every once in awhile, and there was no way to set it with a static IP on the network (other than DHCP reservation) which I found pretty annoying.

We used to order asset tags out, used Maverick label. Great quality for sure, just the requirement to order them out, shipping, limited customizations, screwed if you need to reprint/re-label an asset, etc. Printing our own we have 10+ different templates for different uses and add extra info for different types of devices. Way stronger material than standard label makers. For self printing we now use Brother PT-950NW's - https://www.brother-usa.com/products/PTP950NW with their HGE extra strength adhesive. Use 1/2" width label tape for standard items, larger 1" tape for bigger items.


We get about ~250 asset tags per tape at a cost of $12 per one - https://www.amazon.com/HGES2315PK-Black-White-Extra-Strength-Adhesive/dp/B006X2H4YE/ref=pd_nav_b2b_ab_bia_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TTBFGKTNX9X9978Q9ECS

We have been retrofitting older projectors with MS Wireless Display adapters. We have approximately 600+ installed, on our way to ~1200.

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For projectors without HDMI we have been adding HDMI to VGA Adapters.

Female HDMI to VGA Male Convertor w/ audio

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B7CEOVK/ref=s9_acsd_simh_hd_bw_bFu3Qix_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=E8775ESYX54S32TCC4XA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=7bdeeadd-6c3b-5ec9-8689-5551833323b8&pf_rd_i=14570285011

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Some projectors and TVs don't output enough USB power for a MS Wireless Display Adapter to work reliabily, so get a USB extension cable and a USB power adapter also.

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​If you want something without a client, I tried this NovoPro with the Launcher Plus before. It's pretty good. If you want to run agentless and completely device agnostic, you buy the Launcher Plus, it is USB based. It is however, an expensive solution ~$500.

http://novopro.vivitekusa.com/

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I also have one of these and it’s great as well. This one is a little better priced if you need to charge more than 6 devices.

Luxor Furniture 16 Tablet/Chromebook Open Charging Cart - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBB3T3X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Rm8XBb250CYCV

Our division moved to the new Notebook and have always stayed current. It suck to hear about your document cameras. Thats a lot of money invested lost. We only ever had a few SMART Doc cams ever and we never fully adopted them because of their cost. We started using iPevo Document cameras years ago and are currently using this model:

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https://www.amazon.ca/IPEVO-Definition-Document-Camera-5-880-4-01-00/dp/B079DLTG9F

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They work very well in a windows environment and theres even ways to use SMART Ink with them as well. And they don't cost an arm and a leg either.

For our younger grades we like to use these but we don't have ipads for older grades other than K-8. We keep PK-3 with these and with 4-8 we have the teacher pick out which ones work better for them. Most of the ones we have for 4-8 have keyboards attached.

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https://www.amazon.com/iPad-Mini-Kids-Case-Shockproof/dp/B07R3X5355/ref=sr_1_29_sspa?crid=EDUWP0948LQ4&keywords=ipad+mini+kickstand+case&qid=1568652837&s=electronics&sprefix=Ipad+mini+kick%2Celectronics%2C146&sr=1-29-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaSk40SEY1TFUxRUEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3Njk0NzgxNjBVN0gwV0xYTFVQJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxODM1MzcyUEw3UTQ2WUpGVEU4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYnRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Do you guys mean a specific model or just any APC 1500VA unit?

For example, the 1500VA unit I mention in the OP would appear far more "enterprise-grade" (and thus hopefully more reliable) than something like this APC Back-UPS Pro (BX1500M):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VY6FXMM/ref=dp_cerb_3

/u/knerdedout Hey, I didn't know where to comment this at, since I've already replied. hopefully mods will understand the multipost.


This is what we found. It works WITHOUT the power cable. NO idea why.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSBNYH4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


As for the HDMI, those are expensive..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XS8T2W4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

8-6-19 edit
Windows 7 machine don't like the cable. Atleast win 7 dell models: 790-7010-7020

A lot of our teachers use those "calculator caddy" things like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Kimbora-Numbered-Classroom-Organizer-Calculator/dp/B07CJPFS3K/ref=asc_df_B07CJPFS3K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241973021453&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15426429533554724958&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017942&hvtargid=pla-473757860284&psc=1

Seems to work well for a lot of them, until you get the kids who bring a "dummy phone" so they can put it up front and keep their real phone with them. Ahh kids.

We've deployed a couple hundred of the new Air laptops now. We include the Cable-Matters dongle. It's been working well so far but we're only a couple of months in.

Most users that I've asked seem to love the machine so far. Knock on wood but we haven't had any keyboard failure yet, that's my biggest concern in the long run.

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https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Multiport-Adapter-Ethernet/dp/B076TRGGM6/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=usb+c+vga+displayport+hdmi+cable+matters&qid=1554304138&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

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I try to follow GTD https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563


Tool wise I use Trello, and Google Calendar.