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Dos_Box

By Dos_Box
in New Project Ideas

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Dos_Box

Dos_Box

Posted
Posted

Damn my flu addled mind. I have been thinking for some time now about this and need some feedback.Would it be viable to create a Linux distro to fulfill the needs of schools and of back end systems. It would also contain all neserssery components to optionally connect to Karoshi, Cutter and any other viable system management components.

There would also be a server version that would just contain the nessersery packages to perhaps install web, email and Nagios.

Am I just having a pipe dream or could we do this and would you find it useful. I know there is Edubuntu for the desktop, but I would like to think we could do a bit better. Am I dreaming, and, more importantly, do we have the knowledge here to pull it off as a project?

  • 2 weeks later...
CyberNerd

CyberNerd

Posted
Posted

I'm sure it would be viable, but is there any point.

Most linux distributions are already in a position to be able to fulfill the needs of schools - the resistance comes from a lack of understanding, not because current distros aren't up to the job. IMHO A better project would be documentation and cross platform educational applications, particularly MIS.

Jona

Jona

Posted
Posted

An interesting idea, I like the concept. Although there are already a couple distributions aimed at schools / education there's no point just doing stuff people have already done.

 

Presumably your talking about building on top of an existing linux distribution rather than building anything from scratch Welcome to Linux From Scratch! in which case choosing the distribution will be key.

 

Its pretty easy to get a working install of edubuntu/ubuntu with a lamp stack installed so it would have to be something more than this. Perhaphs rather than a complete distribution we should look at creating a package that has things pre-configured......

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Jona

Guest Guest

Guest Guest

Posted
Posted
IMHO A better project would be documentation and cross platform educational applications, particularly MIS.

 

Seconded.

 

Also if a edugeek distro was built what would it contain as standard? What deamons would it be running out of box...? etc. Half the point of linux is you only run what you need to run, helping secuirty and permormance

Diello

Diello

Posted
Posted

Agreed - Not sure there's a need for a new distro.

 

However - a package that contained a pre-configured Nagios, Moodle, etc. setup could well be worthwhile.

Ric_

Ric_

Posted
Posted
I think it may be better to approach it from a different angle. Rather than producing another distro, we could add value to an existing one (cough... Debian... cough) through the production of education-orientated documentation, etc.
contink

contink

Posted
Posted
I think it may be better to approach it from a different angle. Rather than producing another distro, we could add value to an existing one (cough... Debian... cough) through the production of education-orientated documentation, etc.

 

Yep... Couldn't agree more... I'd also second the earlier comment from Cybernerd.. More documentation on educational packages would be of more immediate value. But where the talent and motivation lies is where you go... Good luck :)

kmount

kmount

Posted
Posted

I'm happy to invest some time into this.

 

I'd be more inclined to look at Ubuntu or a clone as its a bit more 'user friendly' than Debian, even though Debian is my third passion after FBSD, and Gentoo.

SimpleSi

SimpleSi

Posted
Posted (edited)

*(&*&*&^*&(^(*&(*&*)(* :eek: :(:confused:

 

You lot can't even be bothered to help out with a few configuration scripts to make the eeePC work in schools. :)

 

So what makes any of you think you could actually organise a brewery trip instead of just drinking the output !!!! :)

 

I hope I have offended some of you by this post and once you've calmed down maybe you'll actually come along and give some help with a little project first before your off to rule the world :)

 

pff!!

 

regards

 

Simon

Edited by SimpleSi
russdev

russdev

Posted
Posted
*(&*&*&^*&(^(*&(*&*)(* :eek: :(:confused:

 

You lot can't even be bothered to help out with a few configuration scripts to make the eeePC work in schools. :)

 

So what makes any of you think you could actually organise a brewery trip instead of just drinking the ouput !!!! :)

 

I hope I have offended some of you by this post and once you've calmed down maybe you'll actually come along and give some help with a little project first before your off to rule the world :)

 

pff!!

 

regards

 

Simon

 

@Simon

 

I am sure been long day for you but far as can tell every time you have asked for help the members have tried to help you.

 

At no point have you asked to make your script part of any group project (as far as I can tell).

 

But if want to turn your script into group project feel free..

 

Russell

SimpleSi

SimpleSi

Posted
Posted

Long day:confused: - I know there's some diffs between North and South but I didn't know their was a time difference as well :p

 

Maybe there have been some problems with the forum that have led some esteemed members to miss THE 400 POSTS I'VE MADE ON THE SUBJECT :)

 

The Main Post

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/14823-eee-asus-pc-integrating-into-school-networks.html

 

And some of the others :)

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/15130-howto-integrate-eeepc-into-existing-windows-network.html

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/15654-autologon-w2k3-server-printing.html

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/16293-help-running-scripts-within-scripts.html

 

OK maybe gone "slighty" OTT on number of past posts but I think the case for the prosecution is pretty watertight :)

 

Look forward to having my neck (sorry hand) shook warmly in May at the conf :)

 

regards

 

Simon

 

Just in case the written word conveys the wrong meaning - I'm smiling as I write these words :)

linescanner

linescanner

Posted
Posted

I think a full distro may well be looking the wrong direction, Jo has done a huge amount of work down this route already.

 

There would be a large amount of duplication (all too common is the OSS world)

 

Maybe it would be better to divert effort to finding out what help Jo would like to get Karoshi moving forward faster.

 

Another option would be to look at the areas where schools really need help with getting Linux deployed.

 

Speaking from experience, Linux desktops are still going to be hugely controversial. Linux is not the issue, it is the lack of apps and Teachers having spent huge amounts of time building lessons around those apps. Suddenly taking them away cause "issues"

 

I would be tempted to look at some Edugeek appliance type builds:

 

Edugeek E-Learning platform (Moodle, Elgg etc)

Edugeek Network Monitoring System ( Nagios, cacti or opennms)

Edugeek Proxy Filter (Squid, Dansguardian etc)

 

That is my take on it.

 

Andy

  • Thanks 1
russdev

russdev

Posted
Posted (edited)

I think db was thinking out aloud to get views and ideas.

 

@simon

 

and all those posts have people replying and got wiki page setup ;)

 

Must admit did miss you asking us in that first post for that I am sorry but we get lot of posts and sometimes we miss things.

 

Also my post said with a smile

 

So way forward is this where do you wants the scripts project to go and what help do you want from us the admins and the site.

 

Feel free to post or pm me..

Edited by russdev
SimpleSi

SimpleSi

Posted
Posted

Back on OT - I think linescanner and others have the right idea - and in todays VM world - produce VMs (and host them obviously).

 

And being serious, getting Linux desktop machines integrated into windows domains doesn't seem to be even being seriously attempted by anyone (in the world) never mind around here.

 

regards

 

Simon

cookie_monster

cookie_monster

Posted
Posted (edited)

I personally feel that Ubuntu is going to be the distro that will take off in schools and has a good educational focus to it already so i'll vote for that.

 

Also agree that documentation and step by step guides would be a great idea rather than reinventing the wheel. Maybe we could then create a list of 'supported' (by us) apps that are good replacements for Windows apps e.g Open Office and GIMP.

 

Also important then is good info on managing these desktops in large deployments >100 desktops i.e. application management, desktop deployment, user management.

 

Kind of like an RM for Linux but without being patronising ;-)

Edited by cookie_monster

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