RE: [Sheflug] linux for schools?

["Chris Johnson" <chris [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>
> Chris,
> I've seen this system spyderworks has developed in action and
> was quite impressed. There are some other problems at the school
> which haven't been addressed by this company.
> I was hoping that more intensive deployment of open source solution
> could be offered. It's not about Ednet(which is exceptionally
> interesting software and it works!) as it is about general network
> infrastructure, replacing Windows machines to thin clients etc.
> The state of the network performance and performance of the
> workstations
> on this network is quite poor atm which is a big headache for
> everybody
> who is using it. Not to mention the lack of support is quite
> depressing.
> It's always better to keep all the options open.
> Other alternative they are seriously considering there now is to move
> everything onto Windows.
> So, it about time to give children some hope :)
> Cheers,
> Denis.

IIRC the school continued to use its old desktop PCs with windows and just
changed its server to Linux / Ednet.  I would imagine this old equipmnet is
having some impact on the performance.  If they want to keep using their
existing old equipment then using them as thin clients and buying a new TC
server is a good way to go but there are still not the variety of
applications available for Linux as there are for M$ Window$.  One good side
of thin client tyechnology when you re use your existing hardware is that
the switch can be made gradually as the existing system can be maintained,
using the PCs as fat clients and thin clients at the same time.

Retraining teachers and the cost of creating new resources is usually an
issue (for the grown ups but not normally for the children).  It might be
time to buy new (or nearly new) workstation PCs.  We have used PA Business
Systems (orderit-online.co.uk) for a recent refurb. of a school ICT suite.
These are second user PCs, most less than 6 months old.  We have specified
them with 256MB memory, Windows XP, 15"TFT screens and 3 years onsite
waranty for around £500 which seemed a good price at the time (and is still
probably quite good).  They get installed later this month.  I'll let you
know how it goes.

You mentioned the lack of support.  Lack of support for what?  And from who?
I'd like to know if there are issues so that we can avoid the same things
happening in other schools.  If you feel more comfortable you can mail me
direct rather than through the list.

Chris Johnson
(No not that one, the other one!)
(running SUSE 9, 512MB PIII 600 (ish))

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