Dearborn Public Schools
Troy Patterson Well, we continue to make progress. Calendar and Contact syncing is just about complete. Email syncing is getting very, very close.
status: RUNNING/Migrating (100%, 100%, 88%) (300 users)
status: RUNNING/Migrating (99%, 100%, 88%) (300 users)
status: RUNNING/Migrating (101%, 100%, 93%) (300 users)
status: RUNNING/Migrating (100%, 100%, 92%) (300 users)
status: RUNNING/Migrating (100%, 99%, 96%) (300 users)
We continue to make progress on our Google Apps sync. This means that the majority of users will have their information in Google Apps. Almost all of the contacts and calendars have synced, and we are making great strides in email.
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(contacts%,CAL%,Email%)
We are making progress in the syncing of information from Exchange to Google Apps for Education. Here is where we currently stand:
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*Note that the parentheses indicate the percentage of (contacts%,CAL%,Email%) that are synced. That is (95%, 95%, 71%) would indicate that 95% of the contacts, 95% of the Calendar items, and 71% of the total email of those users have been synced to Google Apps.
As you can note, this is a big improvement over our previous numbers.
As you are well aware, we are syncing information from the old Exchange system to the new Gmail system. Here is an update on where we are with the process. We are currently running 14 different sync instances. This means that we have 14 different “pipes” connected up and running.
Here is the status of these 14 sync instances:
*The percentages indicate the amount of Contacts, Calendar, and Email that has been through the sync process. Thus, instance #2 has 84% of the Contacts synced, 84% of the Calendar items synced and 52% of the email items synced.
All of the items are being translated from the proprietary MicroSoft format to open standards. Additionally, we have a lot of “stuff”. We are transferring everything that users have saved (and not deleted). We have no way of prioritizing that important email from the Technology Director over the advertisement from Sears Portrait Studio. That is, if you saved (or didn’t delete) the Sear’s Portrait Studio email, we are syncing that to the Gmail account.
The short answer, when it is done. There are far too many variables for us to have an exact date. We hope that it is before students return.
There are actually three different ways to set up your Google Apps account on your iPhone or iPad. Each of these has benefits and detriments.
| Topic | Exchange Account Settings | Gmail Settings (IMAP) | Gmail Application |
| Advantages | Officially supported as the “correct” way to sync data.This will provide the fastest data sync. | All data syncs. This is a standard method for syncing mail. Many different email clients will work. Subscribed calendar information will sync automatically. | Constantly updated Allows for a distinct separation of accounts. |
| Disadvantages | Subscribed calendars must be added manually. Each time you subscribe to a calendar, you must add it to each mobile device. | Slightly slower sync speeds. Not the officially supported Google methodology. | A separate account to check. |
| Know this… | This method requires maintance, but will be the fastest to sync. | This is a separate application that is maintained and updated by Google. It can change. | |
Please note that you select which type of account when you are first creating your account.
This has truly been a busy, busy summer for us. Not only have we instituted the Gmail transition, updated iBlog, updated the HelpDesk system, but we have also updated iLearn. This update will include a new “look and feel” along with some additional functionality and security.
The new iLearn follows the latest in web design and is Responsive in nature. This means that it will look and work on mobile devices as well as traditional desktop environments. We’ve changed the color to a nice blue to help with the visual change. We’ve also simplified the environment just a bit and cleaned up some of the cob webs from the corners.
More information will follow about some of the new features. In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy the new streamlined experience.
Many people are loving the switch to Google Apps. Once everything is synced, the happiness quotient will be even higher.
Please note that some people are receiving the following notice:
This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification
THIS IS A WARNING MESSAGE ONLY.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESEND YOUR MESSAGE.
Delivery to the following recipient has been delayed:
Message will be retried for 2 more day(s)
You may safely disregard this notice. This is a result of archiving email. Your email has been delivered, it is just the archive that is delayed.
Cheers.
We are pleased to let you know that we have new HelpDesk software available for you to use. When you click on the HelpDesk Ticket (available under the Staff Tab on the main Dearborn Public Schools web page), you’ll be taken to our new HelpDesk site called OTTERS. This new site will allow for better communication, feedback and efficiency.
Directions to use OTTERS are now available as a shared document.
We have begun our exciting transition to Google Apps for Education. This will bring powerful opportunities to us. Along with those opportunities are necessary changes.
Many people now use their phones to check for email. In order to continue doing so, you’ll need to make some changes in your settings. We recommend creating a new email account on your phone. All old email will sync.
Directions for setting up your email account on your phone are available on our Professional Development site.
We are one day closer to our transition to Google Apps for Education. Although email is not set up yet, staff can sign in and use Google Apps for Education. Here is a testimonial from one user:
I tried it yesterday and it worked. It was easy to set up but must be done slowly and carefully because the system was slow. I like the chrome’s set up of apps–easy to see and follow. My email is not updated yet but your email indicates this will be done. I’m hoping my iPhone will not be complicated in setting it up. Thanks for the instructions–they were easy to follow.
Email will be synced starting Thursday evening. Since we have a tremendous amount of email to sync, we are positive how long the sync will take. Starting Friday, you should check your email using https://www.google.com/a/dearbornschools.org