Author Archives: Brian Abeling

About Brian Abeling

Director of Technology, serving West Des Moines Community Schools

Phish and Learn email reminders

For WDMCS Staff –

If you get an email like this…  it is legit.

Messages from  training@cybersafeworkforce.com are from our vendor who provides phishing training and testing.  If you have received this training reminder, it means you clicked on one of the phish testing messages and are now required to take some additional training.  You’ll receive reminders from training@cybersafeworkforce.com.  If the training isn’t completed, you will then receive reminders from Brian Abeling.  If the training is still not completed, then we notify HR.

 

 

 

Desktop replacements start Feb 17th

On Feb 17th, we’ll start replacing desktop computers across the district.   We’ll be starting at Fairmeadows Elementary and will then work our way around the rest of the district.   A member of the tech department will be in touch with your school prior to the installation to work out the final details.

Q1. What’s the order of the schools?
A1.  Right now, the planned order is…

  1. Fairmeadows
  2. Jordan Creek
  3. Westridge
  4. Crossroads
  5. Western Hills
  6. Walnut Creek
  7. Hillside
  8. Stilwell
  9. Southwoods
  10. Crestview
  11. Clive
  12. Indian Hills
Valley High School will be during Spring Break March 13th-20th.  Desktops at the LRC and Operations will also be replaced, we haven’t determined where they will fit in the order just yet.
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Q2.  How long will it take at each school?
A2.  Most schools will be 2 or 3 days at the maximum.
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Q3. What’s happening with the existing computers – can we keep them?
A3.  No, you may not keep them – they become the property of the company that is providing the new machines.

Q4.  Will we be adding additional desktops to schools?
A3.  No,  this is a 1 to 1 replacement.  If you have a desktop computer in your space, we remove it and provide a new one.

Q5. As a staff member, will I be able to buy one of the old models?
A5. No,  the old computers become the property of the company providing the new ones.  Selling the existing computers to the company helps to reduce the cost of getting the new models.  Sorry, schools are not allowed to keep them and staff are not allowed to buy them.

Q6.  What do the new computers look like?

Current desktop (left) and the new desktop (right)

Q7.  Do the new computers come with Windows 10?
A7.  Yes, they come with Windows 10 and the latest version of Office, which is Office 2019

Q8. Will we get new keyboards and mice?
A8.  Yes

Q9. Will we get new monitors?
A9. No, we are not replacing monitors.

Q10. If the district is not replacing monitors – can I buy myself a larger monitor or change to a dual monitor setup?
A10.  Yes,  individuals can use department/school/curriculum dollars to purchase different monitor setups that are beyond the district standard.  For more details, please visit: https://sites.google.com/a/wdmcs.org/wdmcstechhub/systems/multiple-monitor-options

Q11. Will the installation take place before and after school?
A11.  No,  the installation will take place during school hours.   We’ll have a team of 3 to 5 technicians at the school who will be working during school hours.  For a typical classroom, it only takes a few minutes to remove the existing machine and replace it with the new model.

Q12. Any tips or suggestions to help me prepare for the desktops being replaced?
Q13.  What are the specs of the new desktop?
A13.
  • HP EliteDesk 705 G4 Base Model Small Form Factor PC
  • AMD PRO A8-9600 3.1 4C 65W
  • 16GB RAM (1x16GB) DDR4
  • 256GB SSD Drive