It think phptest is one of the nicest test programs I've seen. I don't
think it would take much to make it more
robust. As I said we've used it for 3 years and except for the problem
I've described and a few minor hiccups,
it's been great. This year the students really hammered on it. My
results table had more than 300,000 records
in three days. They started getting a table full error. I dumped the
data and emptied the table and everything
started back up again, so that problem could be eliminated by running a
cron job to shutdown the database,
clear the table, and restart (or maybe) increase the table capacity? As
for users getting the wrong results, it
may just be because I am still using mysql 3.xxx. Perhaps, this would
not happen with 4.x.
I am going to look at the drupal quiz program to see if it will meet my
needs. If not, I would be willing to work
with others to add the functionality, security, and power that phptest
needs to make it an "industrial strength"
quiz program if others are interested (Dan? Donna? Others?).
What we are seeing here, though, is, I think, is part of a larger
problem. As educators want to move beyond the
syllabus dispensing and class roster managing functionality of
Blackboard, WebCT, etc., we need to return to the
concept that these applications are not just database-backed web pages
requiring nothing more than facility
in page design and rudimentary sql. Rather, they are complex pieces of
software engineering that require
expertise in database management, system administration, security, etc.
It is hard to persuade managers and
others who make the budgets of this when they have been so completely
seduced by the false promises of the
greedy point and click mongers. So much for preaching to the choir, I
know.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Best,
Kathie
On Aug 26, 2005, at 9:58 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Quoting Dan Kegel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
Oooh. I haven't looked at the code, but I wonder if
the code that assigns new result_id's is protected
at all from multiple people submitting at the same
time!
It's kind of sad how phptest has withered. All the
other online test apps I've looked at are part of
huge packages that are intimidating to install...
- Dan
I agree - its a nice little application - good even for surveys etc.
Some of the other packages are overkill.
But it doesn't look like its maintained anymore. I posted a question a
while
back and never got anythin g- I wasn't even sure the list was still
working.
Well I guess there are three of us on the list -maybe we can revive it
a bit.
I never had the test problem Kathleen had - but I never had two people
doing it
at the same time... but I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
Please post again if you figure it out or find a work around.
Thanks
Donna
===============
Donna Bassolino-Klimas, Ph.D
DBK Web Developing
www.DBKonline.com
Adj. Prof Chemistry
Rider University
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