Linux virgin - primary software question

[rael74]

First posting here -

 

I am trying to get a project off the ground that will

allow certain freeware / os software to run off a bootable CD.

To give to trainee teachers to use on school placement

(so they can run software without any installing and licence issues)

 

 

Suggestions so far -

1. use a BART Bootable CD to emulate windows and

run software off that.

2. Use Linspire / Wine to get to the same, and get around windows

licence issue.

 

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

Cheers folks.

[crc-ict]

Just about any Linux Live CD will do what you require, but the problem with an CD like this is an inability to save settings and a need to use something like a USB key drive for documents.

 

One that I have used is Puppy Linux (http://www.puppyos.com), which in it's 'Chubby' version includes OpenOffice, and can store its settings in a file on a USB key drive so is user customisable. There is a hitch, though - it's a bit of an unusual desktop.

 

There must be others out there which do a similar thing.

 

Just a quick point about using Bart PE - you would have enormous licensing issues with it. Technically, every CD you create would have to have a dedicated Windows XP licence.

 

Hope these points help.

 

Chris.

[nawbus]

Try looking at http://distrowatch.com/

This lists all the Linux distros and gives a breakdown on what packages come with which distro.

For a live CD you could do no worse than Knoppix.

[plexer]

I don't think you will be able to have a solution that allows your teachers to run windows from a bootable cd and have all the apps they require.

 

Even using wine must need relevant windows licences.

 

I think you are going to have to go with oen of the linux bootable cd's and have them use openoffice etc...

 

Ben

[Andrew_C]

For a live CD you could do no worse than Knoppix.

 

Really? Did you mean that? I thought it was popular...

[webman]

You could have a go at remastering Knoppix and strip out the things you will never need and add things you will. There are a few good tutorials for this on the internet although it can be a complex process if you haven't done it before.

[NetworkGeezer]

You're also relying on the tech team at each host school leaving boot order open.

 

Do trainee teachers get any discounts on hardware. The best solution if the host school won't give them network accounts is for the trainee to have own laptop.

[CyberNerd]

Look at edubuntu.

It is designed for children and simple admin:

 

There is a new release due in June:

http://www.edubuntu.org/

[Netman]

Look at edubuntu.

It is designed for children and simple admin:

 

There is a new release due in June:

http://www.edubuntu.org/

 

Seconded.... they'll even send you the CDs for free if you're a School...

[russdev]

First posting here -

 

I am trying to get a project off the ground that will

allow certain freeware / os software to run off a bootable CD.

To give to trainee teachers to use on school placement

(so they can run software without any installing and licence issues)

 

 

Suggestions so far -

1. use a BART Bootable CD to emulate windows and

run software off that.

2. Use Linspire / Wine to get to the same, and get around windows

licence issue.

 

Can anyone point me in the right directi on?

 

Cheers folks.

 

If small numbers and this is for use internal use then could go windows route as said need license for each cd etc and have to keep an eye on it all etc

 

But then if this is going to be large numbers the windows route is one to avoid..

 

russ

[rael74]

Thanks for all this so far.

 

The edubuntu link looks the most promising.

 

The need for this has arrisen from us (the college) saying to our trainee's - for example "Look at paint.net or audacity - they're great, and free! - teach with them" - and then they find they need admin rights to install them in school, and no one knows the password... If I could have these apps bundled together and running off a CD I'm sorted. More or less.

 

It's just that some won't run under Linux (e.g paint.net) and I don't want to get entangled in Windows Licence issues.

 

Would some of the apps written for windows run under Knoppix I wonder - without the need to launch an emulator?

[NetworkGeezer]

Paint.net may run under linux if you have the Mono MS.net compatibilty framework installed. That said Mono is not the king of thing your going to find on live CD.

[CyberNerd]

It's just that some won't run under Linux (e.g paint.net) and I don't want to get entangled in Windows Licence issues.

 

With the exception of some specialised packages, There almost always free linux alternatives -eg tuxpaint,audacity,openoffice etc.

Schoolforge wiki has a good selection:

http://www.schoolforge.org.uk/index.php/Free%2C_Libre_and_Open_Source_Software_solutions_for_Education

for everything else there is wine and terminal services.

[SimpleSi]

This sounds lile an ideal project for a techie Linux teacher - someone who knows how to master/re-master one of the LiveCD's and can produce a few versions.

 

Or maybe a kind geek from here

 

regards

 

Simon