July 2000 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] PostgreSQL and Linux / Windows
by Alan Harris 14 Jul '00

14 Jul '00

Many thanks... I have considered DB2 but the problem is cost (as a Lotus site DB2 would be great). Eventually I intend to have the whole thing running as a 'web based' operation to make the front end "teacher friendly". I have accessed the PostgreSQL server from another linux box using the Kpsql client without any problem so it's obviously a windows thing. I actually intend to use Perl to generate, execute and return the results from queries submitted via HTML - tests indicate that it will work here quite well. My interest in the windows clients was based on not having to teach admin staff how to use Linux! However, I don't think that such an exercise would be a bad thing. If it wasn't for the lack of CD ROM based materials for education based on Linux then I could change the entire network over to Linux 'tomorrow' so to speak. (slightly off track here but) Our school was criticised by our latest school inspection for it's lack of CD ROM use. Despite (in my judgement) potential Y2K issues with old dos based roms and despite the fact that we have school wide internet access. In fact, the Inspector concerned would'nt even speak to me about the network and wasn't interested in anything to do with non-teaching staff! How do we overcome such issues as this? What do schools already using Linux throughout do about such issues - I'd really like to know. Alan Harris Network Manager Bryngwyn School alanh(a)bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch.uk Malcolm wrote: > hi Alan > > >But.... in the mean time, anyone know anything about linking SQL clients > >to backend databases via TCP/IP? (before I start some really intensive > >reading and research that is...) > > haven't done it with PostgreSQL, but with MySQL using the MyODBC drivers > from Access clients. I believe that the issues would be the same with > PostgreSQL, their are the drivers. The things to watch for: > security permissions, the ODBC drivers require a username/password to > access the DB, so if it is to read/write/delete etc etc you have to remember > its client machine, rather than user-based (?) > the ODBC management tools were a bit flaky, we use the web-based tools, in > particular phpMyAdmin (theres one for Postgres aswell). > > we have tended to use web-base interfaces rather than ODBC clients > lattertly, easy to set up and use, with JSP and PHP. > > if you want any more info, contact me direct. There are a number of reasons > of choosing PostgreSQL over MySQL (including the license), but there seems > to be wider support for clients and tools for MySQL. Have you considered DB2 > ? > > Malc > ------------------------------- > Dr Malcolm Herbert > Head of Technology R&D, Becta > 02476 847126 Mob: 07801 612438 > -------------------------------

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backing up
by David Woollard-Kingston 13 Jul '00

13 Jul '00

I wonder if anyone can help. I'm having problems backing up to tape. There's nothing physically wrong as the previous (Redhat) incarnation allowed me to backup and restore successfully, but using KDat in Suse 6.3 only reports a missing tape. On startup the system acknowledges the tape drive as /dev/st01 but try as I might I cannot mount it. Any ideas anyone. p.s. I should add that my system was installed by a super bright ex-student who has since moved on - I'm busy learning more about Linux but I would be very grateful if any technical that is offered be in fairly newbie terms. Thanks, David Flegg High School, Norfolk

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Macromedia etc
by Giles Nunn 13 Jul '00

13 Jul '00

I asked my colleague (not a Linux devotee) who uses macromedia to comment on the ideas which have been coming up on this topic. I am forwarding his reply verbatim. _____________________________________ Giles Nunn - Network Manager Carms Schools ICT Development Centre Tel: +44 01239 710662 Fax: 710985 ____________________________________ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 15:52:51 +0100 From: Lloyd Walters <lwalters(a)satproj.org.uk> To: Giles Nunn <giles(a)satproj.org.uk> Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and Linux / Windows) (fwd) Giles, There is a free Flash Player for Linux available from Macromedia : http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/alternates/ That doesn't cover Shockwave - but I'm not clear on the distinction between Flash and Shockwave. Corel seem (or plan) to "bring Macromedia Flash technology to Corel LINUX" - see 9th Feb 2000 press release : http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/2000/mm_corel.html Macromedia do seem to be slowly dipping their toes into Linux. Their latest flagship product, for large scale web site development, is being made available for SunOs and Linux. But I'd be surprised if they're putting any effort into putting their whole product line onto Linux, if only because they're not making any noises about any such development. Meanwhile, they are rending towards a more open approach. They've long since published the Flash file format, Dreamweaver is totally open and extensible - at least to those with expertise in Javascript and/or XML. I also believe that a C source code API library for creating Flash files is available for free. Lloyd Giles wrote: > > You might like to comment on this thread which has just started on the > suse linux schools mailing list. > > _____________________________________ > Giles Nunn - Network Manager > Carms Schools ICT Development Centre > Tel: +44 01239 710662 Fax: 710985 > ____________________________________ > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 10:36:17 +0100 > From: Mr Murdoch <j.murdoch(a)rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk> > To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com > Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and Linux / > Windows) > > Macromedia is the company that produces the software used to the CDs - the > package used is probably Director. The latest version of Director uses the > Shockwave player to play back the completed files, although the company > doesn't supply a Linux version as far as I know. > > John > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Mr J. Murdoch Email : j.murdoch(a)rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk > Network Manager Tel. : +44 1224 646346 (switchboard) > Robert Gordon's College > Aberdeen AB10 1FE Fax : +44 1224 630301 > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: kevin.taylor(a)powerconv.alstom.com > > [SMTP:kevin.taylor@powerconv.alstom.com] > > Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 9:39 AM > > To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com > > Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and > > Linux / Windows) > > > > > > > > > The aim should be any application for any platform, which > > > is becoming the goal for the corporate world. > > > > Many CD Rom titles that my kids use, support Windows 3.1, 95, NT > > and Macs. They tend to use Macromedia - so I would guess that > > there would not be a large investment in their time to provide the > > "viewing software" for Linux too - after all the same data is already > > used for various flavours of Windows and Macs - but I have asked > > various people (DK, Tivola, etc) about Linux support and always > > draw a blank. > > > > Again, this sort of thing could do with a bit more muscle to > > show that this could be a useful way for the publishers to > > go - could Becta do this too ? > > > > I do not know anything about how 'Macromedia' works, > > but presumably if they started to support Linux, then Linux > > versions of the popular CDs would follow. > > > > Kevin. > > > >

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Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and Linux / Windows)
by kevin.taylor＠powerconv.alstom.com 13 Jul '00

13 Jul '00

> The aim should be any application for any platform, which > is becoming the goal for the corporate world. Many CD Rom titles that my kids use, support Windows 3.1, 95, NT and Macs. They tend to use Macromedia - so I would guess that there would not be a large investment in their time to provide the "viewing software" for Linux too - after all the same data is already used for various flavours of Windows and Macs - but I have asked various people (DK, Tivola, etc) about Linux support and always draw a blank. Again, this sort of thing could do with a bit more muscle to show that this could be a useful way for the publishers to go - could Becta do this too ? I do not know anything about how 'Macromedia' works, but presumably if they started to support Linux, then Linux versions of the popular CDs would follow. Kevin.

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and Linux / Windows)
by Mr Murdoch 13 Jul '00

13 Jul '00

Macromedia is the company that produces the software used to the CDs - the package used is probably Director. The latest version of Director uses the Shockwave player to play back the completed files, although the company doesn't supply a Linux version as far as I know. John ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr J. Murdoch Email : j.murdoch(a)rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk Network Manager Tel. : +44 1224 646346 (switchboard) Robert Gordon's College Aberdeen AB10 1FE Fax : +44 1224 630301 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > -----Original Message----- > From: kevin.taylor(a)powerconv.alstom.com > [SMTP:kevin.taylor@powerconv.alstom.com] > Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 9:39 AM > To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com > Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Mutilmedia (was: PostgreSQL and > Linux / Windows) > > > > > The aim should be any application for any platform, which > > is becoming the goal for the corporate world. > > Many CD Rom titles that my kids use, support Windows 3.1, 95, NT > and Macs. They tend to use Macromedia - so I would guess that > there would not be a large investment in their time to provide the > "viewing software" for Linux too - after all the same data is already > used for various flavours of Windows and Macs - but I have asked > various people (DK, Tivola, etc) about Linux support and always > draw a blank. > > Again, this sort of thing could do with a bit more muscle to > show that this could be a useful way for the publishers to > go - could Becta do this too ? > > I do not know anything about how 'Macromedia' works, > but presumably if they started to support Linux, then Linux > versions of the popular CDs would follow. > > Kevin. > >

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PostgreSQL and Linux / Windows
by Alan Harris 13 Jul '00

13 Jul '00

Hi guys, Anyone out there with experience of using PostgreSQL? I could really do with some help in linking Windows '95 systems to the PostgreSQL server running on a Linux box. PostgreSQL is running just fine and I can use the KPSQL client to access the database tables on both of my Linux based machines. Can't get Interactive PSQL for Windows to talk to either though. Even after altering the pg_hba.conf file as suggested in the PostgreSQL users manual. The whole point of this is to create a school 'data warehouse' for pupil grades, targets, sats and exam results etc, with an aim to progress monitoring. I already have it running under Lotus Approach via an NT network. I'm also the network manager for a state school - we buy from whom we like and run what we like - at the moment we have an IBM / Elonex hardware base running NT Server 4, Win '95 & '98. We also have a Linux Intranet & Samba Server running (hosting file services for some 600 users). With regard to the ongoing debate, you have to be prepared to try things out. I've managed RM based systems before and hated every minute of it. I'm not a teacher but a full time techie (we have some forward thinking state schools in Wales you know). No formal training in ANY operating system whatsoever! The only way that anybody is going to bring Linux into schools is to sit down and incorporate it into the school network - start with an intranet server, then introduce file and print services, email and proxy servers. set up and play with a Samba server and then bite the bullet and try one (on the lower school pupils in the first instance). My aim is to have an e-commerce type system set up within the school relying on Linux / Perl / Apachce / ProgresSQL. When it's done (and if it works!) it's yours if you want it! But.... in the mean time, anyone know anything about linking SQL clients to backend databases via TCP/IP? (before I start some really intensive reading and research that is...) Alan Harris Network Manager Bryngwyn School alanh(a)bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch.uk

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Getting together
by Derek Harding 12 Jul '00

12 Jul '00

Hi folks, I had an encouraging response to my e-mail about a summer get together and I have permission to use the school premises here in Warlingham. What I need now are some responses (probably by e-mail directly to me at the school rather than to SuSE since those messages go to my home e-mail address). I would appreciate the following information:- What dates you CAN'T make. If you plan to travel by rail (we can keep you inside London, it's cheaper!) What you would like to get out of the day. I would expect to start about 10 am and finish about 4 pm. Are there any business/organisations (e.g. SuSE, BECTA) on this list who would like the opportunity to have some input (not a sales push, though!)? Would people like to see VMWARE on demo? Corel Office? etc. I'm away until next Tuesday night so if you can inundate me with replies between now and then, I'll sort things out for the end of next week or the beginning of the week after. The school is in Tithe Pit Shaw Lane, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9YB ( {HYPERLINK "http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?P2M?P=cr69yb&Z=1"}http: //www.streetmap.co.uk /streetmap.dll?P2M?P=cr69yb&Z=1 ) Purley is the "best" British Rail station (Connex) and attracts London fares. Buses aren't a lot of good unless you know the services. By road, though, things are much better, with easy access to the M25 (J6). O.K. - let the replies flow! -- Best wishes, Derek Harding (hardingd(a)warlingham.surrey.sch.uk)

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It may already be too late (was OSE conference)
by kevin.taylor＠powerconv.alstom.com 12 Jul '00

12 Jul '00

Hi, Here follows a long summary of my experiences trying to push open source software. I really don't know where to go from here - but I certainly intend to keep trying. Any thoughts from anywhere are welcome. I was very pleased to see details of my LEAs plans for ITC over the next few years. They are planning the 'Northants Network for Learning' (NNL) with a view to getting all schools connected to a local WAN or somesuch by 2003 (I think) ... There was a name on the white paper I found describing all this, and I emailed him, asking about their views on open source software. I explained my interest (my local user group and my growing young family) and asked if open source software had been considered for the NNL. Unfortunately, he said that although he knows of several individual schools that do use Linux, open source software would probably not be appearing in the NNL infrastructure (this is my interepretation so I may have got this slightly wrong, but this is how I read it) - but thanks for the interest, and he would pass my comments on to his engineers. I am thus in the very frustrating situation of slowing seeing ITC in education take a leap in my area but having the centrally supported system tied around proprietory software ! I know that Linux would have so much to offer them (remote admin, etc) but unless they put up some resources to work out the benefits themselves, I cannot see it happening. It looks like they have already performed the studies and open source has missed the boat ! I have seen this problem so many times locally. I personally would like to support my daughters school getting connected - I could *give* them machines that run Linux and would manage their connection - but with their central LEA/ITC strategy based around something else, they would not be able to afford to support doing things 'on their own'. If we are to get open source software recognised for its worth, then the advocacy has to be directed at the LEAs/ICT support centres (in my opinion). Unfortunatly, this is the point at which people like me have no influence what-so-ever. When I found the Becta site - I was really pleased - at last there appeared to be a central body that would recomment and provide real data for things like the NNL - but I don't know if they were consulted - and I don't know what recommendations where provided (obviously) - but either way, NNL will go ahead without open source software, as far as I can see. Does Becta send out reports on their findings to LEA - how much promoting of open source is actually done to schools ? I think the ose.org.uk site is very valuable - but it must be maintained. I point everyone I know who is interested in this area to this site, but it has not been updated for quite a while, the forums are not very active and the mailing list has seen approx 6 or 8 posts in the last few months ... This is all my personally experiences obviously, and I hope some other people have better luck than me, but I am really disappointed that I cannot get the NNL designers to consider open source software and that Becta are not persuing a more active role in promoting open source software (well done by the way, Malcolm et al for your continued support). Oh well, we will keep going I guess ... ! Ta, Kevin. Northants LUG

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Fw: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Re: Adrian Wells, Misspelling Microsoft
by adrian.wells 12 Jul '00

12 Jul '00

> "Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius............" Surly not the point. Or are you showing off your ability to program in OCCAM ? :-) - whatever happened to the transputer? Now, transputers running LINUX, there's a thing! I've suddenly become power hungry, tonight we take over the world pinky! Adrian

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Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Message formats
by kevin.taylor＠powerconv.alstom.com 12 Jul '00

12 Jul '00

Just catching up on email ... > If others have the same approach, perhaps we > need to agree not to use html in this group? The basic problem, is that the default settings for things like Outlook are to send in HTML, and read in HTML when appropriate, so often people don't even know it is happening - ie they don't see the HTML as an attachment and thus don't know it is there. If you are not sure if you are sending HTML or not ... see http://www.northants.lug.org.uk/maillist.htm for instructions on how to check and turn it off (see the note for Outlook/Netscape users). Kevin. Northants LUG

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