Hi everyone, I understand that OS for very large groups (e.g., 500 to 2000)have used this USB-stick process to accelerate the sign-in and collection of reports. If anyone can add information on how that process for large groups may differ from the various descriptions given so far around the use of USB, I would be very grateful if you would share that.
I'm happy to see this topic on the list because in making the transition to USB sticks I've met a few challenges, made a few learnings that I will share and am still looking for better ways to work with the USB sticks. Some of my learnings: To avoid a new participant typing over someone's report on the desk top - it's happened - I now save the desk top template as a Read Only document with a default save to the Desk top - preferably a distinct folder so the reports does not get inadvertently tempered with. Instructions to participants are posted beside the computer and/or on the Template document itself in a coloured box at the top, asking them to save their report (Save As) as the report number they were given when signing up and their last name (e.g.., 2 Gibeault). The name helps track problems when duplicate numbers or other possible confusion occur. When signing up for a computer, I now ask them to indicate on the Sing-in sheet, the "Letter" that identifies the computer they will use. I use letters instead of numbers for the computers, to differentiate from report numbers - less confusing. This becomes a 2nd way to track where reports are. Letters are taped to the back of the computer screens, large enough to be seen from the News Room Sign-in table so participants can choose the computer from a distance. The difficulty in collecting reports with USB-sticks so we can quickly post them on the News wall, is that before the person(s) with a USB stick can go around to pick them up, often another participant has taken over the computer and understandingly, they prefer not to be disrupted in their thinking or they want to finish fast to get to the next session, so we wait. The process with the News wall is a bit less dynamic because of that. Some suggested we get several USB sticks. We could use them like we used diskettes. This gives participants the flexibility to save and bring immediately their report to the News Room for printing - like with diskettes. Clients I've worked with have not had the resources or the desire to provide a USB stick for every computer + extras. For an OS using 10-15 computers we are looking at a minimum of $30. on special with taxes, a total of $300 - $450 CAN. I may eventually have to break down and buy a reserve myself because the diskette technology is not going to come back. Looking forward to hear about more ideas on this. Diane Gibeault * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
