Contents
You need to download either the Standard Edition (TS-School-Std.zip) or Professional Edition (TS-School-Pro.zip) from www.ts-school.com/download.php.
- The Standard Edition is free with no trial period.
- The Professional Edition is not free but has a fully-funcational whopping 90-day trial period.
Before going ahead and actually installing TS School, you need to first ask yourself just how your school is going to use the application.
There are two different ways in which any application can be used - on a single PC or across the school network.
- Standalone PC - If you are only going to use TS School on a single PC, then install TS School on that PC.
- School Network - If you are going to use TS School on more than one PC, then install TS School on the school server and create shortcuts on the desktops of all PCs you wish to use TS School on.
Standalone PC
Install TS School on ONE PC only and not ever on any other machine.
PC
(install TS School here)
School Network
Install TS School only on the school server and not ever on any other machine - otherwise you are going to have multiple copies of TS School and its accompanying files all over the place! The idea is to have just one of anything on the school server and all the other machines share the same applications, help screens and templates. When it comes time to upgrade to the next version of TS School, simply upgrade the one an only installation on the school server.
School Server
(install TS School here)
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• Create shortcuts on the desktops of all PCs that are going to use TS School - pointing to School.exe sitting on the school server.
• Run TS School on each PC and set up each PC to use the database that was created by the first installation on the school server. Be sure to tell TS School that the machine is just a PC and not the school server!
Once you have the target machine on which to install TS School, simply unzip the zip file you downloaded and run Install Me.exe. This will create the folder C:\TS School if you opt for the default setting, or under the folder of your choosing. Share the folder so that other PCs have full access to it.
- School.exe (this is TS School)
- Ft.exe (the field tree)
- Main.ini
- License.txt (license agreement)
- UnInst.log (file with info to uninstall)
Folders:
- Documenation (default document templates)
- Help (help files in various languages)
TS School utilizes the server's date and time and not that of the PC's on which it's running since all PCs need to work off the same date and time. The correct date and time is used for:
• Calendars
• Timetables
• Locating the present whereabouts of staff and learners
• Message Notifications
Needless to say, it's of paramount importance that the server's clock is always correct.
If you want the document templates to be placed centrally elsewhere (like on the school's file server) then copy the entire Documentation tree structure. Whether you move the documents folder or not you still have to tell TS School where it is.
TS School needs a database to store the information given to it. You need to do the following:
- Note the databases supported by TS School
- Get your database application (and install it)
- Tell each PC about the database
Supported Databases
The databases currently supported are:
- SQL Server / Express (all versions)
- Access (97+)
- MySql (4.1+)
Setting up a PC involves the following:
- Reason for the Setup
- Type of Computer
- Type of Database
- Database Connection
Until the application can successfully log in, it will continue to bring up the Database Setup Screen.
Reason for Setup
The Database Setup screen is called when:
- A PC cannot log onto the TS School database.
Possible reasons: • The school network is down - the Database Setup screen must simply be closed since the fault is not there. Users must simply retry once the network is up again. |
- Calling it from within TS School in order to change the database used by TS School.
Until the application can successfully log in, it will continue to bring up the Database Setup Screen.
Type of Computer
- Machine - Select the type of computer you are setting up. There are three different scenarios:
• Stand-alone PC – Choose this option if the computer is the only machine that uses TS School. • School Server – Choose this option if the computer is the school server. It is important to first set up the database using the school server before moving on to the network PCs. • Network PC – Choose this option if the computer is just another network PC to share TS School. Since the database would have already been set up when the school server was set up, all you need do is click the Save button at the top of the screen. You can, however, proceed and confirm the various setting if you wish. |
- Starting Month - It is important to tell TS School the starting month of your school year. This month determines exactly when a new database is created for the next school year. For example, if the starting month is 9, then a new database is created on 1 September each year.
Type of Database
Use this screen to indicate which type of database you are going to use for TS School.
MySql You need to download and install MyODBC before you will be able to connect to MySql. Auto Access If you wish to have TS School automatically create an MS Access database in the Databases folder of wherever School.exe is located then simply click the Auto Access button. |
Database Connection
- Driver – If applicable, enter the driver you are using. For MySql, the driver is {MySQL ODBC V Driver}, where V is the version number.
- Host – If applicable, the computer’s name in the case of a stand-alone PC or school server or the server name in the case of a network PC.
- Database Login – The username and password that TS School is to use in order to log into the TS School database.
- Database admin Login – If applicable, the administrator username and password that TS School is to use in order to log into any database, most notably the master databases.
- Folder – For MS Access, this is the path to the MS Access database. For MySql, this is the path to the mysqldump.exe and mysql.exe files, which are needed for backup and restoration
- Test Button – To save time, a test button has been provided.
Each time TS School is run, the following is checked if they exist:
- School principal
- School name
If either is missing, the Principal Details screen is invoked. Use this screen to add your details as school principal. The school principal has supreme system access.
In order to use TS School you need to first log into the application via the Login screen.You must enter your username and password details. Originally your System Administrator will give you your username and your password will be blank. After entering your username your photograph will appear (if it is in the system and has been linked to your username).
If entering your username for the first time you will be asked to enter and confirm a password of at least 6 letters long.
Forgotten your Password?
Have TS School email you your login details. Alternatively, speak to your system administrator or principal to reset your password to blank.
Session Reports
You may sometimes wish to determine when you have in the past worked on TS School, or if someone else has been using your login. You can do this by running a session report.