Problems with ST Math Activation

If you are going around classrooms doing ST Math activations. STOP.

I was with ST Math support for a good amount of time today, and I found out a couple of pieces of information that are a show stopper, until we actually find a solution.

Here’s the information we now know about the activation of the new version (web-based) version of ST Math.

1- If a user logs in on a workstation (regardless of their privileges on that workstation, i.e: Administrators, Power Users, Users), they will be asked to active ST Math.

2- Upon successful activation on that workstation, a 15 minute timer starts up, which is, supposedly based on the public facing IP address of the lab, which will ideally allow other workstations in the lab to activate without having to enter the Activation Code, but rather, click on their school name. Unfortunately, after the 15 minutes expire. The user will still have to enter an activation code.

3- Even with the above 2 cases, the activation is still going to be user-based. And therefore, we will not be able to include it in the image. This idea, is final from what ST Math stated. So, if we want to use the web-based version, we need to individually activate, or use a generic user.

Potential solution:

In talking more with Arnel from MindResearch, he said that they are coming up with a client version of the new ST Math, and that client will be pre-activated for each of our schools. The downside, is that anytime we have a new school, we need to contact MindResearch to get a customized client for that school. This is obviously a shortcoming of their programming though they would have us convinced it’s by design.

The upside of this, is that we will no longer have to activate on a per-user basis, though we do have to go back and install yet another client, and update shortcuts all over again.

The location of the new client will not conflict with SI (the old version of the secondaries), as it will be installed in a different location.

This client is scheduled to be release on September 6th. Meanwhile, we just have to active on a per-profile basis. (mostly for the training that is coming up.)