Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 to Simplify Technology in the Classrooms
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 to Simplify Technology in the Classrooms
Posted 02/25/2010 at 1:39pm
| by Bart Salisbury
9
Comments
Print
The days of the mainframe seem numbered back in the 1980s, when personal computers allowed for independent computing environments at a reasonable cost. But nowadays, with PCs possessing so much processing power, they have the potential of a mainframe, but more often than not are being monopolized and under-utilized by a single person--such a waste. Microsoft’s turning back the clock, in K-12 education anyway, on computing to allow schools to make more efficient use of the computing power at their disposal, and to more effectively manage it.
The Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 allows up to ten students to use the same PC, each using their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The benefits for lab or classroom environments are evident: lower hardware costs, lower energy costs, and lower maintenance costs. Schools, now hard pressed for cash, will be able to make better use of their limited technology funds without necessarily shortchanging their students.
The Windows MultiPoint Servicer 2010 is undergoing its global launch, with product now being shipped to OEMs. Microsoft says that academic volume licensing will begin March 1.
Image Credit: Microsoft
More like this
Papaboy
February 25, 2010 at 5:06pm
In our district we have been using a product called Xtenda from Ncomputing that has allowed us to put as many as 6 extra station off of one PC for the last 2 years. All it needs is a sinlge (or dual for more) PCI card that has three cat5 ports that connect to small boxes with NIC, VGA, PS/2 mouse and Keyboard, and a headphone jack. a single setup for 3 extra stations off one PC is roughly $300 which is nothing compaired to buying 3 extra stations. We have been able to build entire computer labs of 32 stations with only 8 PC's.
I wonder how much MS is going to be charging for "their" version.
drsrca
February 26, 2010 at 6:41am
Like you say, NComputing's been doing this for years. And what's great is that now they are working WITH Microsoft. The NComputing website now shows 3 lines: the PCI card version that Papaboy's using, an Ethernet based version, and the new USB version. Looks like the USb one is the first to work with MultiPointer Server, but they also announced that their whole product line will work with WMS. From the specs, it looks like the PCI version and the USB version are best for schools that want full screen full motion video and that the Ethernet version would be best in places like large companies where multimedia's less important and network flexibility is more important. Check out the video that NComputing put on their site www.ncomputing.com/wms. I love how the kids try to guess how it workd and marvel that they thought sharing a pc would be slower but turns out to be faster than having their own two or three year old pc.
spentnickles
February 25, 2010 at 4:15pm
I'm an A+ certified Desktop Support Technician working (single handedly, locally) for a very large school complex (900+ computers and 1200+ users). This is a wonderful idea!!! I've actually been saying that they should develop something like this for a few years now.
The school complex that I work at is in the process of upgrading our workstations and we are shooting for a 2:1 student/computer ration and a 1:1 staff/computer ratio... Think of the money that we could save having a 10:1 EFFICIENTLY UTILIZED computer. It makes a LOT of sense. My concern would be running multiple applications and the way the computer would process those tasks. For example, if one student tries to run a processor intense application, would that mean that the student trying to research a paper would suffer with severe lag tim on the internet? One of the top three concerns for any IT division is performance...
We have a lab (actually have a few of them) of 30 Core2Duo computers running XP (ready for a Win 7 push once finalized). Put 5 of these puppies in there instead, cut costs on a lot of levels (management, time, resources)... Wait, maybe I'm talking myself out of a job?? :) Oh well, time to move up anyway... I'd love to get a few of these to play with in the "real world"... Hummmm....
thepoor
February 26, 2010 at 5:21am
Does it work with external devices such usb flash drive? If student want to save his/her work on it, how would that work?
spentnickles
February 25, 2010 at 4:16pm
I wonder if these would work on a domain - with Active Directory?? Hummm...
whatsinaname
February 25, 2010 at 3:31pm
We do this with Userful Multiplier and Ubuntu. Nice to see Microsoft trying something that can help education/libraries.
Userful
http://www2.userful.com/
Ntldr
February 25, 2010 at 1:58pm
I just have one question about it. Would it work in a public library environment where people can come look at facebook, or play runescape or something kinda like that. I know the Library in my town only has one or two computers for that the others are specifically for research. It is a neat idea to do this. I know people are complaining saying we are going backwards by doing the "main frame" thing again, but this isn't really the same. Virtual computer and Main framing are different in my opinion. I would really like to know what other MPC readers think.
JohnP
February 25, 2010 at 3:53pm
Nothing wrong with this approach in a public space. Just do not expect any lightning fast response times or streaming video. These puppies will be slow as they will be made mostly for static pages.
JohnP
February 25, 2010 at 1:53pm
Much more efficent use of resources, the computer can be locked down safe somewhere, and smart kids will have more trouble trying to get the teachers fired by getting porn storms to pop up.
These are not game machines, don't need much to read and check boxes, or use a low end word processor.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
We introduce Intel's latest class of tablet killers and review 4 of the first Ultra...
Where have all the memorable videogame enemies gone?
This month's issue
Feature
11 Hardware Hacks
Feature
Overclock Your CPU
How-To
Supercharge Your Smartphone
Build It
A Powerful $830 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Analysts: 9-Inch Kindle Fire This Summer http://t.co/QDYApwCZ1 day 3 hours ago
- maximumpc: Micron: DRAM Prices Likely as Low as They're Going to Get http://t.co/fFUWuFOm1 day 6 hours ago
- maximumpc: Yar, Mateys! All Of Pirate Bay Made Available As A Single 90MB Zip File http://t.co/j5LHlXEZ1 day 8 hours ago
