@WDMCS Staff: Problems using Outlook at home? Do you use MediaCom?

UPDATE on 12/4/2014:

Although the issue hasn’t been addressed by Mediacom, they have provided users with a work around that can be performed on each machine.

Step 1) Open Internet Explorer

Step 2) Visit:     http://cas.wdmschools.local    This will bring up a redirect page from Medicom.

Step 3) On this redirect page, click on SETTINGS

Step 4) Under SEARCH GUIDE SETTINGS, select the OFF button and click SAVE.

After marking this setting, then close Internet Explorer and then open Microsoft Outlook.

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original message….

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Frustration! from Bev Sykes

We’ve had a number of reports over the last few weeks that WDMCS staff are unable to use Microsoft Outlook while at home, but everything works just fine when they are at school.  Unfortunately, the reports were sporadic and we originally weren’t able to confirm or replicate the reported issues…. however, we now have identified what’s in common with all the reported issues.

All of the users reporting these issues are using MediaCom services at home.    Some users have found that they can connect VPN first and then Outlook works and others have reported that Outlook doesn’t work with or without VPN.

Q1. I use MediaCom at home, so what are my options?
A1.  Option 1 is to turn on VPN services first, then try to connect with Outlook.  If that doesn’t work, you’ll then have to use the web mail interface until the issue is resolved.

Q2.  When will the issue be resolved?
A3.  We don’t have a time frame from MediaCom.  We have a support ticket with them, but the case is already over a week old, so we’re not sure what the time frame for resolution will be.

Can I test a Chromebook?

Chromebooks have been all the talk lately… a $249 laptop that kids can log into in under 10 seconds to get basic access to the Internet and Google Apps.

Q1. What’s the district’s plan for the Chromebook?
A1. Our current thinking is that Chromebooks could be used to complement our existing laptop carts –  not to fully replace them.

Q2. I’ve heard that Chromebooks are popular with other school districts – and even heard that they are the item of choice for a 1:1?
A2. First, there is no decision by the district to proceed with 1:1 or even proceed with 1:1 piloting/testing – so there is no plan related to 1:1.  As for Chromebooks being the item of choice for 1:1, that also hasn’t been determined for us, as we don’t even have approval to continue 1:1 discussions. As of popularity, we know that other districts are proceeding with Chromebooks as their device (Norwalk, Carroll, Denison, and Council Bluffs) but there are also plenty of other districts proceeding with other types of devices.

Q3. What grade levels/areas will Chromebooks be most popular?
A3.  Since you need a Google Apps account to log into a Chromebook  – it will be most popular with classes that use Google Apps.  What we are hearing around the district so far is that 4th thru 12th grade will see the most usage, as they tend to do the most in Internet based research, word processing, and collaborative projects where groups of students are writing or creating slide shows together.

Q4.  Is there a Chromebook that I can checkout/test, to see what it can do…
A4. Yes, there’s at least one Chromebook in every school – so please see your building tech person and/or your teacher librarian to get help with locating the device.

Q5. After I’m done checking it out… who do I send my feedback to?
A5.  Send comments, questions, concerns to Brian Abeling.