Why we get differences between RTCs?

According to the article in wikipedia.org:

Timing

Most RTCs use a crystal oscillator,^[4][5] but some use the power line frequency.^[6] In many cases the oscillator's frequency is 32.768 kHz.^[4] This is the same frequency used in quartz clocks and watches, and for the same reasons, namely that the frequency is exactly 2¹⁵ cycles per second, which is a convenient rate to use with simple binary counter circuits.

We can assume that the differences could be materials or methods that leads to different oscillator's frequencies. In time those differences could be reflected in seconds, minutes... I've seen clocks with up to 7 minutes of difference. If you are in a AD environment and have some linux computers authenticating against a DC those differences could lead you to trouble (Mostly if you use SAMBA shares). A command like the following used in a crontab could fix the issue really simple:

# crontab -l

0 23 * * * /sbin/ntpdate name-of-the-dc-server

Windows 7: Allowing Access to C$

After recently installing Windows 7, I found that I was unable to access the "default admin shares" for my local drives, namely \\ME\C$. I was able to see the machine on my local network, so I know that the firewall wasn't the problem. If I shared out something explicitly, I could see that from other machines as well: File Sharing was turned on. On other networks, I knowthat I've been able to access the C$ share from other machines, so the functionality was still there, but likely just turned off.
From HowToGeek.com, I found a registry setting that would allow this. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, add a new DWORD called LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy and set its value to 1 and reboot. Want to revert? Delete the key or set it 0.

Remote Accessing the School

There's a convenient way to access the school remotely as a teacher (scroll down to see what you can access with it): Using the "Remote Desktop Connection" application.
This program is available in every Windows O.S. default installation starting from Windows XP, you can find the program under the "All Programs -> Accessories" and you can easily spot it through its particular icon:

You can also use the "Search" facility described in the last post to find it:

Once the program is launched a screen like the following is displayed:

Please contact the ICT Support team (Ext. 6214, 6215) for the information you need to put in the "Computer" field.

Once you have that information click the "Connect" button and "Accept" the Identity verification dialog that pops-up. Remember to select the "Don't ask me again..." so you won't be prompted back again later:

After a small verification/configuration of the session you should see the regular "Login" screen window:

Only teachers can "Login" to the remote computer with their own "ABC" credentials. Remember to always set/verify the "Log on to: ABC" option.

You will have access to the following areas using the Remote Desktop:

1. SIMS
2. Basic Microsoft Office Package (2003)
3. PersonalFiles, GroupFiles, SharedDocuments, etc

There's a "Remote Desktop" version for Mac users that has the exact behavior as the one showed. You can download it from here.

Technical details: A "disconnected" session will end-up completely after 15mins. by executing and automatic logoff

Finding programs easily

Are you having problems finding programs on a Mac or a PC? Try the new search facility integrated with both systems:

On a Mac is called the "Spotlight" and it pops-up with the magic combination of "Command + spacebar":

When the "spotlight" pops-up just start typing the name of the program you want, select it with the arrows and press the "Enter" button to launch it, i.e.:

With the new Windows 7 O.S. theres a similar application called the "Search" and it is displayed every time you "click" on the Windows icon on the left bottom corner:

All you need to do is start typing the name the of the program you want, select it with the arrows and then press the "Enter" button to launch it (i.e.: firefox):

Try both search facilites to find anything else you want: documents, pictures, etc.

Adding a School Calendar

If you have received an email from the account "calendar@abc-net.edu.sv" sharing a calendar with you, similar to this one:

Please click on the link provided ("View ABC Whole School Calendar" in this example). A new screen will popup similar to this one:

Notice the + Sign in the right bottom corner, click on it to add the calendar to your own calendar application. You should now see something similar to this: (Notice the "ABC Whole School Calendar" in it)