March 2001 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

k12linux + ltsp
by Mr Miles Berry 23 Mar '01

23 Mar '01

There's a thread on /. about an education specific thin client distribution from the US k12linux folk at http://slashdot.org/articles/01/03/21/0013246.shtml, pointing to the project home page at http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/linux/k12ltsp.html. Open source, non-commercial and certainly worth looking into. If anyone has access to a broad band connection and a CD writer, could they please burn me an image? Miles Berry Deputy Head St Ives School, Haslemere www.st-ives.surrey.sch.uk

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K12LTSP
by Malcolm Herbert 23 Mar '01

23 Mar '01

hi all installed the k12ltsp distro with Keith Chandler at Sandwell LEA this pm, its based on RH7.0, and installs easily (although did have a problem taking the default partitions) and has everything pre-installed, including support for all LTSP kernels, although they've concentrated on PXE boots in the US. the desktop is Gnome (well Helixcode/Ximian infact) and has been configured, but its still fairly liberal and will need cutting down (remove the games?). They have also got some default academic like apps (Gnumeric etc) installed. On discussion this afternoon, would be anybody be interested in a training day on K12LTSP? (or LTSP more generally), as Sandwell's EMU have offered to host. No exact date, but soon, also no real cost. its not for politics, more of a 'run wot u brung' event for schools/LEAs comments please Malcolm ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------

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Final OSIE post: Clarification of intentions
by Michael Brown 22 Mar '01

22 Mar '01

As previously stated, it has come to my attention that some people might not be aware of the intentions of Fen Systems with regard to OSIE, and might have leapt to their own conclusions. This post is intended to clarify any potential areas of misunderstanding. Fen Systems *does* expect that the existence of OSIE will be commercially beneficial to Fen Systems. Given that we are in the business of providing Linux-based solutions to UK schools, it is inevitable that an organisation dedicated to promoting the use of Linux (and other open-source software) in UK schools will benefit us in some way, whether we want it to or not. Since we are likely to benefit from the existence of OSIE, it is only proper that we should also contribute to it. It would be reprehensible if we were to sit back, playing no active role, and simply enjoy the benefits created by the work of others (as some people seem to be suggesting that we should do). As good "open-source citizens" (to borrow a phrase used recently), we should be contributing actively in whatever ways we can. The fact that we are a business rather than a not-for-profit group is irrelevant - free software does not mean "software with no commercial involvement" and anyone who thinks that businesses have no place in open-source projects simply doesn't understand what the "free" in "free software" means. We have no desire to "control" OSIE. If the organisation is not seen to be independent, then it is of no benefit to us or to anyone else. Those of you who were at the meeting on March 12 will remember that the independence of OSIE was the first point I made under the heading of "Implementation". No "control" does not mean no involvement, nor does it mean that we do not want to have a say in the direction OSIE takes. The independence of an organisation is assured by having multiple interests represented at all "levels". It is *not* assured by having specific interests (e.g. commercial interests) "barred" from involvement. Again, anyone who thinks that "free" and "open-source" means "non-commercial" has not understood the concepts "free" and "open-source" and should have a good read through http://www.fsf.org/ We will ensure that content we produce for OSIE is not unfairly biased in favour of our products and services. For example, the current Resource Library makes no mention of any particular vendor, not even to the extent of saying (for example) that Fen Systems are working on an improved graphing capability for Octave. However, we will also endeavour to ensure that OSIE content is not unfairly biased *against* our products and services. For example, we would consider it inappropriate for what is currently the section on "How to get open-source software" to change so that it spends twelve pages discussing downloading, burning CDs, installation procedures, installation troubleshooting etc. and then mentions, as a footnote, "by the way, you can also buy ready-made systems". If there is a question in the Knowledge Base asking "how can I write a PHP web-page to act as a form for my complex relational database?" then we would consider it appropriate to post an answer that, alongside giving some pointers on how to get started with PHP, mentioned that Fen Systems would be prepared to develop such a page under the terms of its UNIQUES service. After all, not everyone wants to spend several days learning a new programming language if they have the alternative of paying £50 to get someone else to do it so that they can concentrate on the 1001 other things on their "to do" list. We think that it is in the interests of everyone that OSIE remain unbiased, and unbiased means that there is no bias in any direction - it does not *just* mean "not biased in favour of commercial organisations". I hope that this is enough explanation - if anyone wants me to clarify any of the points then please e-mail me. BTW, OSIE discussions are now starting in earnest on the osie-general mailing list (Kevin has started the ball rolling). If you do want to be involved in OSIE, please join the list by visiting http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/osie-general This is my final OSIE-related post to this list, as discussion has now moved to the list on SourceForge. Michael

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Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] ltsp...desktop issues...
by Chris Howells 22 Mar '01

22 Mar '01

> From: Giles Nunn <giles(a)satproj.org.uk> > It depends which window manager/desktop you use. In principle if you make > the menu configuration files root-writeable only, then they can't change > anything. There is normally a skeleton directory which is copied when > creating each user. Try /etc/skel. Something along the lines of: chown root.root directory_name -R (make the files owned by root, group root, and apply changes recursively) Then: chown go-w directory_name -R (remove write permissions for group and other users, and apply changes recursively) Should do it, I think :) -- Chris Howells E-Mail: chrish(a)gmx.co.uk ICQ: 93699029 Web: http://www.chowells.uklinux.net

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LTSP/sourceforge problems
by Derek Harding 22 Mar '01

22 Mar '01

Hi Folks, I wonder if anyone else has had problems getting the ltsp download from either the ktsp link or direct from sourceforge - I get unable to connect to database errors. -- Best wishes, Derek Harding, (BA MIAP) ICT & Network Manager hardingd(a)warlingham.surrey.sch.uk

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Next meeting ... (was: OSE Discussion structure - moving forward)
by kevin.taylor＠powerconv.alstom.com 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

I would like to say that we ought to give ourselves time to hack out exactly what we want to acheive at another meeting though ... It is really nice to meet people face to face, but now that the thing is getting off the ground, I would say that to make it worth the effort of travel/organising we need a really solid agenda with specific aims this time. Last time was great as a launch pad ... but we need to be more focused now. Because of this, I think that we don't need one too soon, I think we need time to hack out some details first. I have several ideas for ensuring that the discussions are as productive via email as we can make them (as I am sure other people have too), but lets talk about that on the osie lists ... (probably give people until tomorrow night (Thurs) and then start talking on osie ... ?) Kevin.

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List archive
by Roger Whittaker 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

An archive of this list is finally available among the archived lists on http://lists.suse.com at http://lists.suse.com/archives/suse-linux-uk-schools/ -- Roger Whittaker SuSE Linux Ltd The Kinetic Centre Theobald Street Borehamwood Herts WD6 4PJ ---------------------- 020 8387 1482 ---------------------- roger(a)suse-linux.co.uk ----------------------

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Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] OSE Discussion structure - moving for ward (was: ...
by SILCOATSIT＠aol.com 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

Sounds like a good idea and if its in Yorkshire those of us who couldn't get to the last meeting could attend John WIlson

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Problems with domain names
by Alan Harris 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

Slight problem here.... Not to be awkward but the web addresses www.osie.org.uk or www.osie.org. are not accessable to anyone using the N2H2 BESS filtering system. Alan ----------------------------------------------------- Alan Harris Network Manager Bryngwyn School Tel : 01554 750661 Fax : 01554 758255 E-mail: alanh(a)bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch ----------------------------------------------------- Notes: 1. The contents of this email may be snooped on by interested government parties for unknown purposes! Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, 2000. 2. The opinions expressed in this email are personal and may not be shared by Bryngwyn School. -----------------------------------------------------

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] OSE Discussion structure - moving forward
by kevin.taylor＠powerconv.alstom.com 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

> Would it not be sensible to organise another event > pretty soon with an action plan and get some lead > names against those actions ? The reason I am pushing the use of sourceforge to manage the project, is that we can get the core people (who want to take an active role) listed. Once we are at this stage, we can start assigning tasks to people and then each 'job' has an owner. These tasks would not (in the first instance) be programming/writing, but things like 'sort out who is to host it', 'sort out the domain name', 'formulate a list of aims for OSIE', etc. Once a task has an owner to coordinate it, it is likely to be discussed and resolved, without the discussions just 'drifting off'. The problem with free-for-all mailing lists, is (as you say) it is too easy for the detail to be lost, and often (in my experience on lists in the past) subjects 'drop out' of favour, without being resolved ... So - when sourceforge is up and running, I suggest all key people who are prepared to spend a little time doing something, get on the mailing list, and we start to discuss the structure of the project. We would first (I guess) start by trying to list appropriate sub-project areas, so that tasks can be allocated. This would be the key functions, required - I don't really want to start discussions here (but I will ?), but this could include things like the server (hosting, web technology, etc), web site itself (structure/content), PR, policy, etc. This way, people have something to own and work towards, and the thing moves forward. Kevin.

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