X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) I've just been given the go-ahead to build a linux computer for staff to play with, but I've been asked to find out, from people who have switched from windows, what potential problems we could encounter. [it wasn't specified by the HT, but could I get staff related problems and technical problems?] Also, so I can show them a wide range of things they would be able to do, could anyone suggest some good [free] showing-off software? This is for an infants school but this build will just be for staff. Although anything that the pupils could use would be appreciated. [infants and possibly a primary school, providing I can get permission for the trial.] If it matters I'm planning to use pen drive linux. Edited February 3, 2011 by X-13
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Open Office? Of course. I told the HT about Open Office and she was surprised that it was free. Even if we don't completely move away from windows OS, I can see her wanting that instead of MS Office.
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 oooooh, that's exactly what I was looking for.
LosOjos Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Which Distro are you going with? Ubuntu always seems to be the easiest for people to pick up (or Mint, which also installs a lot of codecs and other bits and pieces to help out a new Linux install)
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Which Distro are you going with? Ubuntu always seems to be the easiest for people to pick up (or Mint, which also installs a lot of codecs and other bits and pieces to help out a new Linux install) I was thinking Ubuntu. Mainly because another tech made a Ubuntu notebook. [same concept as what I'm doing.] Possibly Edubuntu.
Brpilot99 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Another vote for Ubuntu ... Ive just done an install as a complete beginner and it was a breeze .. Ive installed dansguardin and squid and have now got myself a filtering proxy server ... Feeling quite proud of myself I am !!!
LosOjos Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Edubuntu comes pre packaged with some good apps for primary education to get you started, there's always GIMP for Photoshop quality editing, Google Chrome (it's called Chromium on Ubuntu) seems to me to be the quickest browser... I suppose really the initial task is showing them that there isn't anything they can't do that they could before
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Edubuntu comes pre packaged with some good apps for primary education to get you started, there's always GIMP for Photoshop quality editing, Google Chrome (it's called Chromium on Ubuntu) seems to me to be the quickest browser... I suppose really the initial task is showing them that there isn't anything they can't do that they could before Edubuntu it is. That plus the OpenEducation disk should cover a lot of bases. Although, I might throw on OOo4Kids as a potential something for students. I know I'm going to encounter resistance. Even the LA Techs claim OpenOffice isn't compatible with MS Office files... Which I found out isn't true.
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 awesome. Now that the software choices are moving along nicely, does anyone know what sort of problems I could encounter? [Tech problems or staff-related]
Brpilot99 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I know I'm going to encounter resistance. Even the LA Techs claim OpenOffice isn't compatible with MS Office files... Which I found out isn't true. Agreed !! Ive been putting Open 0ffice on the teacher laptops and have not had any complaints as yet !! It opens docx files without any problems
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Hopefully the trial goes well and I can get back-up against the LA. Although, an full switch won't be any time soon. I plan to do it gradually, to reduce resistance.
morganw Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) awesome. Now that the software choices are moving along nicely, does anyone know what sort of problems I could encounter? [Tech problems or staff-related] Depending on how many computers you have, you may be creating yourself a massive management overhead if you gradually converted all of the PCs and then found you had to manually tweak each one. I would look into automated deployment of the OS and packages via PXE network boot, or try to acheive the same end result with something like LTSP, openThinClient, or Thinstation. Edited February 3, 2011 by morganw
glennda Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 We have a 50% Linux backend here but until Sims will run in a web browser then there is no hope in hell I could ever make the move!
morganw Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Just run it through an RDP session. Also that means you've only ever got to upgrade one installation.
X-13 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 you may be creating yourself a massive management overhead if you gradually converted all of the PCs That's not what I'm planning. [seems we have some wires crossed, good thing we're techs, eh?] First I'm moving away from propriety software, providing alternatives and showing similarities/differences between then. Then I'm going to change the proxy and filter over to in-house [if my plan succeeds]. This should give us a bit more flexibility, ATM the LA handle proxies and filters through outside companies. Same with the DNS server, if possible. After that... moving away from RM servers/clients and using a *nix server and thin clients. Although, the LA here are trying to make it so every student gets a username/password that will follow them throughout their school life. All linked to LGfL. Unless I can still get it linked properly, I doubt it'll happen.
dhicks Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Now that the software choices are moving along nicely, does anyone know what sort of problems I could encounter? [Tech problems or staff-related] I had issues integrating Ubuntu / Edubuntu with Windows - actually very easy to sort out when you know what you're doing, but a right bother if you're pressed for time and have people trying to actually use the system the whole time, so it's best to solve any such issues before staff get to use it. I found Ubuntu / Edubuntu had more issues than was ideal when used as a server, so these days I mostly use Debian (which Ubuntu is developed from) for anything server-related, which works an absolute treat. For joining an Ubuntu machine to a Windows domain I'd probably choose Samba rather than Likewise Open - can be a bit fiddly to get the hang of, but once it's set up it works. Bear in mind that you'll still need a device CAL for each workstation you add to your Windows domain - these should only be £3 each or so at education prices, but it's something that often gets forgotten.
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