Once again two letters have seen my stress levels rise instantly. Those two letters are 'RM'. How one company can make me so angry so often is beyond me. Anthony and I headed into school again yesterday for another attempt at getting the computers working. (Thanks again Anthony) We managed to tick another job off the list and now they all have the correct drivers for the graphics cards which means that certain M$ Office packages are now functioning correctly. All 16 machines now work and are ready to go. The issue comes once again with the RM element of the deal. On my second phone call to their 'support' people, I was informed that 'this happens sometimes, not sure why, luck of the draw I think' and told that they would burn me another copy of something else that 'usually works ok'. So off home we trundle once more just for me to have to head in yet again to finish the job...that is of course providing the new stuff works as the RM 'support' person only said 'usually works' Grrr

I may be wrong and I may be harsh but it angers me that they repeatedly charge schools ridiculous amounts of money for software that 'usually works' and think that this is acceptable. Just because theya re dealing with schools does not mean it is ok to sell shoddy software and provide a useless so called 'support' service at premium rate phone charges. They treat us teachers like we know nothing and do not allow us admin rights to our own machines unless you stamp your feet and make threats (which I did obviously). Schools deserve and need better than this. Hopefully next time when I recommend we have nothing to do with RM when setting up a school network the message sinks in somewhere.

I could rant for considerable time on RM as I know most other teachers in my position could also. However it is late, I am on holiday and the cats are looking at me anxiously.

I will breathe deeply, smile and remind myself that I am a sea of calm and nothing can stress me...