RE: [Sheflug] FYI: Migrating Education Desktops to Linux

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

But that kind of architecture change may require hardware change too -
> it's okay if you're a greenfield site, but if you're not and
> you have to
> use current hardware it's generally true that fat client is a better
> fit. You might not have a powerful server, for example, or a quick
> enough network, for a thin-client solution.

I'm not sure of the costs, I have no figures to back it up but if you're
using mostly old PCs you may need to budget for a new hard disk in each +
time to install and transfer existing data.  Most companies with large
numbers of PCs I would imagine already have quite good networks.  Those with
fewer PCs have will require less bandwidth for thin clients so their older
networks may suffice.  I suppose it all depends on the scale of the
operation but I would have thought buying one big thin client server, a fast
switch and a pack of boot floppies to support a class of 30 PCs (mostly
unheard of in Sheffield schools, certainly in primaries!) would still cost
less than upgrading, installing dual boot and locking down the same 30 PCs
(assuming technician time has to be bought in and would have to be out of
normal teaching hours).

Anyone got any comparative figures?

Of course going to thin client gives the possibility of further development
so that pupils can get access to schools applications from home!  VLEs are
OK for content but what about the applications?

> > One of the big differences between Linux and Widnow$ XP is
> boot time.
> Sad but true. Likely to be better in the distros coming out this year
> though; a lot of problems have been ironed out.

I didn't think it was an issue of problems more an issue of the structure of
the whole thing.

> > As desktop services through Linux are still developing
> > centralising it all through thin clients also seems to be a
> better way of
> > drip feeding changes without trawling round the whole
> network applying
> > patches.
> I think there are acceptable solutions for central administration now,
> though.

Sounds interesting.  Any suggestions as to where to look to find out more?

> > Not sure if the gnome "no lock down" issue still exists in
> the world of thin
> > client.
>
> Well, it's identical really - Gnome doesn't really care about the
> thinness of the client per se. However, I think Gnome
> lock-down is much
> better in 2.8 and will be much better again in 2.10.

But with thin client surely a reboot woudl return everything to standard for
the next user?


Chris

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