April 2001 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

Fwd: K12Linux: Open Source - Student Information System - Calling for partners
by Malcolm Herbert 10 Apr '01

10 Apr '01

hi of interest for all those potential SIMS developers Malcolm ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: K12Linux: Open Source - Student Information System - Calling for partners Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 16:45:29 -0700 From: Craig Sawyer <do_sawye(a)yumaed.org> To: k12linux(a)riverdale.k12.or.us Hello. The State of Arizona is forcing the School Districts to replace their Student Information Systems, and so we have gone to bid, and have come back with several authorized vendors from the state. One of which is VA Linux Systems, Inc. They produce GPL'd Software like http://sourceforge.net, slashdot.org, and freshmeat.net. They would like to write a GPL'd Student Information System, using PHP (www.php.net), and PostgreSQL (www.postgresql.org) as the Database server. The problem is, we can't seem to afford the development costs for this effort. We are asking the State to help fund this solution, but what would really make this pay off is if we could find other districts to help fund the original development of the software. This software will be Open-Source'd (read GPL), and would be freely available to anyone, and everyone. The Source code would be developed by VA Linux, and the source code would be turned over to Sourceforge.net. If any of you have school districts that might have some money, and are looking for a GPL'D Linux solution for a Student Information System, we are interested in partnering with you. Below is my contact information. I'm very serious about this, and would love to see this come together, and have a nice GPL'd Application with a great stable product to start. Craig Sawyer Manager - Technical Services Yuma Educational Consortium (520) 783-1010 X 120 work (520) 580-1793 Cell. ======================================== This message was sent from the K12Linux Listserv. For information on subscribing and unsubscribing, see http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/linux/listserv.html or send mail to pnelson(a)riverdale.k12.or.us ------------------------------------------------------- -- ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------

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RAS, VPN, PPTP
by Alan Davies 07 Apr '01

07 Apr '01

It appears that we are about to get ADSL.... We currently allow a restricted set of pupils remote dialin access via a mini bank of 6 modems connected to an NT server running RAS. With 24x7 we presumably could offer/allow VPN access - which might be more convenient and offer better intermittent bandwidth (modem to modem only offers 33k6). I'm not certain what I need to add to our NT4 server to provide VPN access - there are lots of commercial packages of course offering firewall/DES protection etc. NT2000 server does it automatically, but I'm not sure that we intendend to go down that route. Which brings me to the question of whether I could use the LINUX box. Does LINUX support RAS via dialin or VPN? Is it 'user friendly' click and go or 'get your hands really dirty' sort of stuff? I don't even know how LINUX behaves if you have several PCI modem cards in the box. Has anyone knowledge of, or done any of this? TIA

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Another KDE2 question
by Derek Harding 07 Apr '01

07 Apr '01

The help page suggests that I should fill in the signature box (Settings, Configuration, Identity) to add the signature automatically. It doesn't, nor does specifying the signature file. I have to attach it deliberately. (I assume there isn't a hidden signature on this mail!)

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Commands
by ptaylor 06 Apr '01

06 Apr '01

I am using 7.1 now and the commands for starting and stopping seem to have changed? I used to be able to do: #/etc/rc.d/init.d/smb start and it would re-load. Now I get an error message. Any help? Paul

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Password lockout from KDE2; kmail oddity
by Derek Harding 05 Apr '01

05 Apr '01

Hi, I've installed 7.1 with XFree4 and KDE2 on two machines. On both the screensaver password has been enabled. On both, when logging on through KDM the password is often rejected (it seems one can type too fast). The screensaver, however, rejects any attempt to enter a password failing every time. Then one has to restart X, losing work etc. On one machine, kmail behaves as expected until one sends a mail. Then it simply does nothing, neither sending it, nor closing the box, nor adding it to the queue - nothing. The message has to be aborted. It receives mail OK and is set to use smtp to the correct server on the correct port. Nothing changed on the server and it worked before! Third, where's the nice little kbiff gone - I like the little letterbox icon by the clock and miss its little tune when e-mail arrives (I could hear it all over the library!). xbiff and Korn don't have that option - or is there a command line operation to play the tune without opening a new window? Any ideas? -- Best wishes, Derek Harding, (BA MIAP) ICT & Network Manager hardingd(a)warlingham.surrey.sch.uk

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Re Commands
by Derek Harding 03 Apr '01

03 Apr '01

7.1seems to have adopted a different file hierarchy. You'll find the start scripts in /etc/init.d - there are several differences introduced with 7.1 which I think was designed to trap the unwary. -- Best wishes, Derek Harding, (BA MIAP) ICT & Network Manager hardingd(a)warlingham.surrey.sch.uk

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eth0?
by ptaylor 03 Apr '01

03 Apr '01

Hi all: I am working on the chamges to the write up for OSIE and will post it all shortly. Meanwhile.. We have gone live with the SWGFL 2MB connection which means that my problems of not getting my Linux machine to work have been compounded. Interestingly enough the proxy that they are using is running squid but I can't seem to get my machine working. I know it is probably not desirable, but is it possible to use the one eth card as the link between the SWGFL network (i.e. their proxy and DNS) and my internal network? I currently have Win 2000 running with WinProxy and it has 2 IP addresses and runs quite happily as the school's proxy between the two systems. I am not managing it with Linux perhaps due to my lack of network skills. I have set eth0 with 2 IP addresses but in the rc.conf file it shows them as IP0 and IP4. Will this work? If I masquerade, do I need 2 cards? Do I need to set my host machine on the SWGFL class A network and masquerade to my internal machine on the C network? Malcolm, if you are there you did say you would help me out after OSIE :) Does the offer still stand?? Paul

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Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] K12LTSP Workshop
by Malcolm Herbert 02 Apr '01

02 Apr '01

hi Paul (and others i think i can share this with) the LTSP project and its similar brethren can indeed push Windows apps in a number of ways:- - by booting the client into rdesktop, the open source RDP client, allowing you to connect to you WinNT or Win2k (a little buggy i believe) terminal servers. No client license :-) - by using VNC, in the same way as above. Again boot directly into it, there is also a terminal on the market (from Axel, or something like that) that has VNC in firmware :-) nice - by running VMware on the server for those must have Windows apps. By running multiple VMWare images on the server, with a WinNT server inside you can increase your resilience but clustering the virtual servers. Reboot the virutal macihne, not the Linux box. Roger will have some idea of licensing and prices, as i think Suse have a closer tie-up (have they pulled out from the UK recently?) - Linux servers as you know can serve file systems and applications directly from their NFS shares - look at something like Tarantella as an application broker, run Office from your Netscape browser. all good reasons for people to come to the Workshop, and for people let you come to the workshop. We can make time to discuss many ways of keeping you clients, but making them available more cheaply. Malcolm ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------

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K12LTSP Workshop
by Malcolm Herbert 02 Apr '01

02 Apr '01

hi all please find the attached information and booking form for the K12LTSP workshop. thanks for the people who've already shown an interest, i'll give you priority, all on the Suse list have a days head start (as i'm off home now, everyone else gets it tommorrow) we've had enought interest to run both days, so the 2nd May will also be available, including for commerical people wishing to find out more as well. The 3rd will be aimed at educational people, but you can book either day, which ever is the most convienent look forward to hearing from you Malcolm ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------ Linux Terminal Server / Public Access Terminal Workshop 2rd/3rd May 2001 Sandwell EMU, West Midlands ----------------------------------- Introduction -------------- Red Hat and Sandwell LEA have joined together to provide a workshop on developing low cost terminals, which can developed on a range of hardware. It can make the ideal lab or public access terminal and has the benefit of using open source applications. Overview -------------- This workshop presents an effective means of providing a thin client network solution for education and community network access. It can provide both fully functional desktop environments (incl. productivity tools, browsers, graphics and multimedia etc) and bespoke solutions, such as public access terminals providing using browser-based interfaces. The approach uses a thin client-server approach, where the terminals can use both legacy hardware (early Pentiums will work) or new hardware built specifically for the purpose, starting as low as £200. The workshop will look at both strategic and practical issues of designing and implementing terminal server solutions. It will also cover the issues of using open source applications and the benefits that they bring, including being free of licensing costs, having the freedom to develop applications, integrating with existing networks, applications and platforms and versatility to deploy something you want. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and networking, with a fairly informal atmosphere. There will be plenty of time to look at the practical issues involved, please feel free to bring some prospective client hardware (ie nearly anything, 'run wot u brung') with you. Agenda -------------- The workshop will be run on both days, with an emphasis on commercial organisations on Wednesday 2nd and Schools and LEAs on the Thursday 3rd May. 9.30am Registration and Coffee 10.00 Introduction: Linux, open source and how it can be used 10.30 Server: the K12LTSP distribution, hardware specifications 11.30 Coffee 11.45 Clients: new and legacy hardware, configuration and deployment 12.45pm Lunch 1.45 Configuring desktops, window managers for public, labs and office users 2.45 Discussion and future developments 3.30 Tea and Close Space is limited (we've already had considerable interest), priority will be given to early respondents. Venue ------------------ Sandwell EMU Popes Lane Oldbury West Midlands B69 4PJ Tel: 0121 544 2001 Travel Arrangements ------------------- Road - Sandwell EMU is located less than 10 minutes drive from Junction2 of the M5. >From the junction you will come immediatly to another roundabout (next to Retail park), take the 4th (last) exit towards Oldbury and along a dual carriageway until the next roundabout (by Mecca bingo), turn right and along back underneath the motorway. Take the second right (into Popes Lane). EMU is immediatly on the right. Rail - The nearest station is Langley Green, about 5 minute walk from EMU. The nearest mainline station is Sandwell and Dudley, which about 15-20 minutes walk away, or a short taxi ride. Accomodation - Please contact Malcolm Herbert if you require assistance in finding accomodation. You can find a location map on http://www.streetmap.co.uk, postcode B69 4PJ Registration ------------------- Please can you confirm attendance by completing the attached form with payment. You can reserve your place in advance by sending an email to Malcolm Herbert, mherbert(a)redhat.com. Costs. ------------------- The costs for schools, LEA staff and academic institutions is £25 for the day, will for commercial insititutions it will be £50. For an additional people from the same institution the charges are £15 and £40, sorry max of two people from each place at the moment. These charges will be used to cover costs (room rental etc). Please make cheques payable to 'Red Hat Europe' and we will deal with expenses with Sandwell LEA. Payment and forms in the post to (you can book provisionally by Email):- Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe 10 Alan Turing Way Research Park Guildford Surrey GU2 7YF <cut> ========================================================= Linux / Public Access Terminals Workshop ---------------------------------------- Name: Organisation: Address: Post Code: Telephone: Mobile: email: Preferred Date: 2 May 3 May *please indicate ========================================================== <cut>

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Computers for Teachers
by Malcolm Herbert 02 Apr '01

02 Apr '01

hi all the consultation for the next phases of Computers for Teachers (CfT) is currently online. The scheme was announced on Friday and currently its not clear whether it will support open source applications and OS. http://cft.ngfl.gov.uk comment now Malcolm -- ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------

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