From network management and internet filtering software to student information and library automation systems, K-12 districts today face a dizzying array of choices for their management solutions. Separating fact from the hyperbole of vendors can be difficult--but who better to trust than your colleagues?

To help you understand which software vendors and programs your colleagues have enjoyed the greatest success with, eSchool News has launched its first-ever Readers' Choice Awards. Nearly 500 readers voted for their top picks in 10 categories of school management software on eSchool News Online in January.

The results show that quality is subjective, and what might be the best solution for one school may be inappropriate for another. Still, some clear winners emerged as our readers' favorites in nearly all of the 10 categories.

Our readers' most recommended software for managing their networks is Novell Netware, which beat out Microsoft Windows NT Server more than 2 to 1. Readers generally found Netware to be more secure and easier to use than NT. One reader wrote, "As an end user, not a network specialist, I find it is easier and more intuitive for me to manage." Another wrote, "Our students haven't been able to hack into [Netware]. They have punched all kinds of holes in Windows NT."

Though not many school network administrators have switched over to Windows 2000, those who have done so had good things to say. "Switched from Netware--overall operation more stable," one reader wrote. Another wrote, "[Windows 2000] Active Directory allows [for] stable and easier management of multiple user databases."

Among Mac users, Apple Network Assistant was quite popular. "I can manage over 200 computers from my desktop," wrote one reader. "Installing, setting up [internet protocols], correcting technical problems, [and] updating software have never been easier!"

Among third-party products, Altiris LabExpert (which controls and distributes software remotely over the network) and Hewlett-Packard OpenView (which manages network bandwidth) were popular picks as well. And one reader selected the Multi-Router Traffic Grapher, a free tool to monitor the traffic load on network links (http://ee-staff.ethz.ch/~oetiker/webtools/mrtg).

The top pick for desktop security software was a neck-and-neck race between SmartStuff Software's FoolProof and Fortres Grand's Fortres 101, with FoolProof having the slight edge. The comments of one reader exemplified how close the voting was, as he chose both programs: "Fortres 101 [which only runs on Windows-based machines] is good for PCs. FoolProof is good for Macs."

Novell's ZENworks and Apple's Macintosh Manager also were popular picks. One reader said that ZENworks provides "remote control, easy installations, desktop security--the 'works' for pennies," while another said of Mac Manager, "It may have a steep learning curve, but I can do much more with it than [I can] with ... ZENworks." A few readers chose Windows 2000; one reader said it was "better than any add-on out there, and I've tried many."

For antivirus software, our readers' top pick was Norton AntiVirus, now distributed by Symantec Corp.

N2H2's Bess was the runaway winner in this category, with SurfControl's CyberPatrol coming in second. Readers appreciated the local control that Bess gives its users to customize their filtering experience. "Because of its flexibility, we can [unblock] web sites that we feel are appropriate for our students," wrote one reader. Another reader chose Bess but said it "does need some added features. A better logging system would be a plus--something to track specifically [which] workstations attempt to connect to blocked sites would be helpful."

Several readers picked Dotsafe because it's free and contains no advertising, but on Feb. 1 Dotsafe announced the end of its free offer for new users. Current users of the free solution won't be charged, but new users will have to pay for the product.

Unlike Bess, Dotsafe doesn't give system administrators the ability to unblock sites. Still, at least one reader preferred this "hands-off" approach: "The people at Dotsafe have really thought about what educators need. Their filtering is efficient [and] thorough ... The 'mass-media' approach they use allows the school to avoid constantly administering the system."

Though it's not as well-known a solution as many of the others, Palisade Systems' Screen Door was the top pick of a few readers. One reader wrote, "We have been using this web filtering server on our network for two years. Not only is the price the most competitive on the market but the product, in my opinion, beats any of its competitors."

Interestingly, several readers indicated they were opposed to filtering software. One reader voted for "an educated user," while another wrote, "Categorically opposed. Have not found one that suits me."

Our readers recommended 45 different student information systems, more than in any other category. In addition to the more popular systems, less well-known systems from companies such as Santa Ana, Calif.-based Eagle Software also received votes. One reader wrote, "This is our fourth student [information] system in 15 years, and by far Eagle Software was the easiest to implement. Also, they have a crack team of software developers and help-desk support people to back them. In a simple sentence: They're fantastic!"

NCS Pearson's SASIxp was our readers' top pick for student information system, edging out Chancery's MacSchool and WinSchool products; one reader called SASIxp "expensive but robust." NCS Pearson's Comprehensive Information Management for Schools (CIMS) also was a popular choice, finishing fourth in the voting, as was PowerSchool's web-based module of the same name.

Readers had the most trouble with this category, as it received the fewest responses. The survey suggested that K-12 administrators still are searching for products that meet their needs. One reader wrote, "Still working on this one. I could tell you which system is the worst, but I'm not too sure our district covers slander under the 'hold harmless' clause of my contract."

Among respondents, NCS Pearson's CIMS was the winner, followed by Ace Software's ADM2000 Financial Systems package. One reader wrote that NCS Pearson, "being solely in the educational software field, does an excellent job of writing software that specifically meets the needs of school districts." Another cited CIMS' flexibility and ease of use.

Skyward Inc., of Stevens Point, Wis., also received votes for its PaC (Point-and-Click) School Management System. One reader called it a "user-friendly system" with a "full range of modules: HR, budget, payroll, fixed assets..." Another reader said it "reduces duplicate and triplicate entries usually required for all school purchases ... This has been a time-saver."

Two clear winners emerged in this category: Education Logistics Inc.'s Edulog and VersaTrans, from the Latham, N.Y., company of the same name. One reader wrote of Edulog: "Excellent routing options and force-changeable scenarios. Does an excellent job of population positioning ... and calculating school enrollments in proposed/affected areas." Another reader noted that VersaTrans is a Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) partner, while a third said VersaTrans is "very user-friendly, and the support has been really great to work with."

A few readers also chose Smartr for Schools, a transportation module from Education Planning Solutions of Orem, Utah. One reader said Smartr for Schools "does more than just routing (e.g. demographics, boundary planning, redistricting, etc.) and you get everything for one price, rather than paying for each 'module.' ... When used with Zepco's 'black boxes,' you can see where your buses are on the map and how they're being driven!"

SNAP Systems' WinSNAP received three times as many votes as its nearest competitor, Rediker Software's Cafe Terminal. Readers liked WinSNAP's open-architecture database and the fact that WinSNAP was part of a successful demonstration of the SIF initiative, though Rediker also is an SIF member. Both systems let you automate school lunch transactions by using a simple graphic interface or swiping an ID card.

Other systems receiving votes included Child Nutritional Services' Bon Apetit, Systems Technology Group's LunchBox, and The CLM Group's MealTime.

Readers cited the all-around ease of use, flexibility, and support of Follett's Circulation Plus in making it a huge winner in this category. "Comprehensive, comprehensive, comprehensive," one reader wrote. "[Gives a] multitude of options. Allows [for] remote, password-protected, web-based searches of local school libraries." Another wrote, "Expensive, but [Follett] seems to listen to librarians. Patient tech [support] staff and great listserve. Uses icons to help nonreaders locate materials."

Winnebago Spectrum, which is distributed now by Sagebrush Corp., and Sagebrush's own Athena also received a significant number of votes. One reader noted that Winnebago's "price is right," while another praised Athena as "reliable." A third respondent wrote, "There are many good library systems, but Athena still has the best instructional design of its interfaces."

One reader recommended Follett's Circulation Plus for larger school libraries, but "for smaller libraries, [other systems are] more cost-efficient."

Two programs vied for the top pick in student health software: Healthmaster's HealthOffice 2000 and ECI Software's Student Health Manager. One school nurse wrote of HealthOffice 2000, "This ... program, though a bit costly, is the best I have found for complete, detailed medical record-keeping: office visits, prescriptions, various exams, ... and emergency information about students and staff."

Of Student Health Manager, another reader wrote, "It is obvious that [ECI Software] had help from a school nurse to develop this program. It is extremely user-friendly. ... I see 80 to 100 students a day. With this busy of an office, speed of data entry and ease are vitally important. [Student Health Manager] fits the bill."

No clear winner emerged in this category, with NCS Pearson's Abacus receiving only 14 percent of the vote, followed closely by EdVision's Curriculum Designer (8 percent), CompassLearning's Compass Curriculum Manager (8 percent), and Learning Technology Systems' Instructional Management (IM) Series (6 percent). In fact, readers cited a total of 32 different products in this category--owing, no doubt, to the fact that there are numerous curriculum management systems on the market.