Talk:Hosting for moodle admins

Marc Grober 16:06, 24 December 2008 (CST)

AT,

It looks like you are excluding from this description adding modules, i.e. the moodle admin's role is confined to action taken from within the Moodle GUI. Assuming I am correct here then I think it important that we spend a paragraph or two explaining this and pointing to the next role "up"... here's some suggested text - I didn't insert CR's so as to make it easier tyo copy and paste into page.....

Many people are confused about Moodle "flexibility". Moodle can be hacked by someone knowledgeable of php as well as extended via the installation of additional modules. However, both of these activities are outside the scope of the Moodle admin. With respect to modifying code, our definition of the the role assumes gui access only, and code alteration would require additional tools and shell or ftp access. With respect to modules, while the Moodle admin can manage installed modules to the extent that the module itself provides for control from inside the moodle GUI, the Moodle Admin can't add modules, filters or other extensions as the role as defined here does not include the additional access necessary.

Also think this should include a discussion of the Moodle admins obligations to users as this bears on whether one is prepared to be a Moodle admin. Of course, part of that role would be managing user requests that require access beyond the Moodle Admin's role (specifically and commonly, adding and altering themes, modules, filters, etc.) There are lots of situation where users want the tex filter to work or want asciimathml installed for example; users get told to talk to the next level up and nothing happens and users talk to moodle admin and nothing happens..... This is one of those gotchas I think we should highlight.

In addition to addressing the extent to which you, as a potential admin, may want to undertake or avoid tasks in excess of the Moodle Admin role, you must also consider your relation to your users. What is their recourse as far as modification of themes, addition of modules, etc. if you do not feel comfortable with responsibilities beyond the GUI? Should they be provided direct access to the next level admin? Should this be an escalation situation where the request is made to you and you pass it on, and in either case, have you reviewed the material on SLAs to ensure how and when these will be addressed?

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