April 2003 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Open Souce Conference - a way forward ...
by Chris Puttick 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

A suggestion: There is an international organisation called SchoolForge that aims to represent organisations, including companies, "...that advocate, use, and develop open resources for primary and secondary education.". The organisers recently suggested the creation local "chapters" for national use that could be more focussed on their individual country's needs, and sign up those that may not see affiliation to an international body as worthwhile. A SchoolForge UK seems an ideal, all-inclusive front for those in the UK working with (and on!) open source solutions in school, and could host the wiki, useful links, equivalence tables for UK Linux/MS school software, NC linked teaching resources, lesson plans, etc., etc. and simultaneously provides an excellent press focus for open source in education developments. Setup time could be minutes and an official press launch could be in time for the summer term. Comments? Regards Chris PS SuSE have always been happy to have none-SuSE users on the list - they don't even try and sell to those on it... -----Original Message----- From: John Ingleby To: richard(a)caliban.org.uk Cc: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 4/9/03 12:54 PM Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Open Souce Conference - a way forward... Dear All, I would also like to be involved. A couple of observations: 1) There are "parallel" initiatives which support the use of Open Source in schools, and we need to make a conscious choice about contributing to them, or developing something new. Two such initiatives I've passed to James are: http://linuxshop.ru/linuxbegin/win-lin-soft-en/ A comprehensive table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux. http://www.k12ltsp.org/wiki/ The K12LTSP Wiki - Recently created to fill the need for a repository of links and HOWTOs for implementing the LTSP distribution for schools 2) Conversely, what are our unique needs that aren't supported by other initiatives? For examples: What to do about SIMS? How to promote Open Source in LEAs? (as if Martin Williams' work wasn't enough!) What about Becta? I would like to thank SuSe for hosting this forum, and hope that it's willing to tolerate non-SuSe Open Source users like myself! Regards, John Ingleby ************ CoroNet Information Systems Ltd. Kings Langley, UK On Mon, 2003-04-07 at 23:06, Richard Rothwell wrote: > Hi All, > > Please take this as a request for comment rather than > my solid opinions. I also hope I have posted this in > an appropriate place! > > Following the conference on Friday I was left with the > distinct feeling that we are standing on the edge of a > major breakthrough on the implementation of open > source software in schools. The offer of this > technology is computing that is: > - low cost > - sustainable > - ubiquitious > - customisable > We need to make sure that the enthusiasm is focussed > now, for though we are all convinced of the > inevitability of open source solutions, the time scale > is determined by those of us who are implementing it. > In particular, if the first wave of schools adopting > open source does not do so by September 2003, then we > will be set back by a whole year. > > Suggestions: > that invitations are put out to get involved with the > first wave - this should include: > * schools - the early implementers > * schools interested but not ready to implement yet > * providers and developers > * any other interested parties > * we share information and thoughts through a Wiki > thus allowing any one to get involved > * the AFFS is invited to be the front organisation for > this group (www.affs.org.uk) > * contact is made with organisations in other > countries working on similar lines > * we look for a major publicity drive in September by > when a number of UK schools should be runnning large > scale open source solutions. > > ===== > rgds, > Richard Rothwell > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > "You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to war." > > __________________________________________________ > Yahoo! Plus > For a better Internet experience > http://www.yahoo.co.uk/btoffer > > -- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com > For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Open Souce Conference - a way forward ...
by Chris Puttick 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

Comments in line. -----Original Message----- From: Richard Rothwell To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 4/7/03 11:06 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Open Souce Conference - a way forward... <snip> > The offer of this technology is computing that is: > - low cost > - sustainable > - ubiquitious > - customisable Socially inclusive is normally a good one for schools; throwing in the phrase "bridging the digital divide" works nicely on council officers. Also with low cost emphasise TCO as well as upfront capital. <snip> > Suggestions: > that invitations are put out to get involved with the > first wave - this should include: <snip> > * we share information and thoughts through a Wiki > thus allowing any one to get involved > * the AFFS is invited to be the front organisation for > this group (www.affs.org.uk) > * contact is made with organisations in other > countries working on similar lines > * we look for a major publicity drive in September by > when a number of UK schools should be runnning large > scale open source solutions. The Wiki should be part rather than the front; FAQs, PR and advertising material distilled from it and placed within public-facing parts of a site. The AFFS (and related organisations) would not be an appropriate front for this activity as their objectives would be perceived as overtly political, rather than interested in deriving the best benefits for children, schools and local communities. If we are to have a PR drive, the front should be non-political, school management and LEA oriented. Presenting the purist arguments up-front is likely to incur labelling as extremists and the rest of the excellent reasons for schools adopting OSS will be ignored. If individuals manage to arrange meetings with heads/chairs/education officers, then the philosophical reasons can be presented as part of that meeting; it is unlikely to be the deciding factor, but will become important to them in time - remember: softly softly catch'ee monkey... Regards Chris

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request for case studies volunteers
by James Spedding 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

Sorry to lay this one on just before Easter but... We are trying to generate new UK case studies of schools/colleges that are using open source software. We have a case study template (borrowed from seul) which is quick and easy to fill in. We would take the information from you over the phone or via email and write it up into a case study which (upon final approval from you) would be included among the new ones. Whether it is one server which makes your life easier or a whole school desktop we would like to document your experiences. If you know of other schools please let us know and we will contact them too. For info this is a list of UK case studies that are complete or we are trying to put together: >From casestudies.seul.org: Beechwood School Newton-le-Willows Skegness Grammer St Dustan's >From the conference: Felsted Corpus Christi Hopeful/possible/in the pipeline: East Hull CLC Hall Garth Wakefield City High Sherwood Park Primary Cardiffschools.net Central Manchester

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Open Source Conference - a way forward
by James Spedding 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

To start with a quick thank you to all that came and made the day such a success. Below are my 2p's worth. I like the idea of a local chapter of SchoolForge as I think it gives it a specific educational focus which being part of the AFFS organisation might be lacking. However, I'm not clear about what specific benefits that would provide us with. Fundamentally we would still have to build the site ourselves and then announce it to SchoolForge so that 'Open Source in UK Education Network' (OSIUKEN? (pronounced 'ossie-u-ken' - how's that for catchy ! ;o)) can be another of the organisations underneath the SchoolForge umbrella. Looking quickly through the list of existing members there are quite a number of UK institutions already there. As a complete aside do we see OSIUKEN (I'm getting the hang of this now :)) as a co-ordinating umbrella organisation for the UK scene with the idea of focussing the efforts of all those in the UK who are contributing together? Which brings me to point 2 - where to host it. Taking on the principle of 'just do it' (apologies to Nike) Larry Walker (Technical Manager, Saint Bede's School - Redhill) has set up a 'smartgroup' (http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/os.education) It has sharing facilities, file swapping, mailing list, FAQ area etc. In lieu of an alternative *at present* is this something people want to get involved in? It might not be the final resting place but it is a start. If you are interested you have to go to the URL, click on the join group button, then create an account using your e-mail address. I've made it publicly viewable and it does give a development environment for material. If there are other/better alternatives let me know. I have limited experience and I am happy to take advice but above anything else I want to *do something*! Michael Brown of Fen Systems has agreed for the OSIE info (http://www.fensystems.co.uk/osieweb/fs/main.html) to be used in the new site (whatever form that might take) and we can put parts of the conference CD on it too. Ideally the CD would be the kicking off point and more dynamic content can be added as we go along. So who's up for doing what?

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Open Souce Conference - a way forward...
by Richard Rothwell 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

Hi All, Please take this as a request for comment rather than my solid opinions. I also hope I have posted this in an appropriate place! Following the conference on Friday I was left with the distinct feeling that we are standing on the edge of a major breakthrough on the implementation of open source software in schools. The offer of this technology is computing that is: - low cost - sustainable - ubiquitious - customisable We need to make sure that the enthusiasm is focussed now, for though we are all convinced of the inevitability of open source solutions, the time scale is determined by those of us who are implementing it. In particular, if the first wave of schools adopting open source does not do so by September 2003, then we will be set back by a whole year. Suggestions: that invitations are put out to get involved with the first wave - this should include: * schools - the early implementers * schools interested but not ready to implement yet * providers and developers * any other interested parties * we share information and thoughts through a Wiki thus allowing any one to get involved * the AFFS is invited to be the front organisation for this group (www.affs.org.uk) * contact is made with organisations in other countries working on similar lines * we look for a major publicity drive in September by when a number of UK schools should be runnning large scale open source solutions. ===== rgds, Richard Rothwell -------------------------------------------------------------------- "You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to war." __________________________________________________ Yahoo! Plus For a better Internet experience http://www.yahoo.co.uk/btoffer

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ipchains thro firewall
by Alan Davies 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

Like (many?) schools we have a number of machines with real IP addresses facing the outside world - for Mailserving, proxy server, PPTP remote access, etc. - including a linux box. These are physically located close to our ADSL router. These servers have two network cards - one facing the ADSL bits and one facing the rest of our internal network. I now have requirement to provide our security cameras recording box a real IP address for a box which is situated remotely in the school. I could, with some expense provide a new fibre cable all the way to it - at some expense. I had thought that maybe the security firm could use VPN access but they didn't seem to know anything about that - and I can't fiddle with their monitoring station. Can I use the LINUX box (using IPchains or equivalent) a route to provide access to their box - and if so how? Currently our internal network is 1.0.X.Y/16 and our external network is 217.204.233.1-15/240. (And don't start asking me why our internal network is non standard IP scheme - its to do with the fact that we still have some old Acorn stations that default to his address scheme and although they could reload a new network stack on boot up they are slow enough already). I suppose some kind of NAT scheme would allow their cameras to create an external link - but that would not alone allow the external monitoring station to create a link back to the cameras. Obviously those in the know, reading this, will be chuckling that this guy knows nothing (I know that already...in fact the little more I get to know the more I know I don't know!) but if you are able to offer any guidance I would be grateful. TIA -- Alan Davies Head of Computing Birkenhead School

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software
by Chris Puttick 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

Consider it part of the project spec... -----Original Message----- From: Mark Evans To: Chris Puttick Cc: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com ' Sent: 4/9/03 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software On Wed, Apr 09, 2003 at 08:40:19AM +0100, Chris Puttick wrote: > We think Kudos is going to work easy and have the agreement of Loughborough > Uni that they will cooperate with our summer developer. This developer is One of the issues with Kudos, as well as Veryan Workview and SpellStar, is a requirement to have directories/files which are read/write to everyone. Which is a poor software design for a multi-user system. Let alone that a proper multi-user system would not require the user to create their own user identity, since they already have one. I notice that the same people also offer something similar on their website. Maybe something like this with support for identd and pam would be a sensible way forward. -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software
by Chris Puttick 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

We think Kudos is going to work easy and have the agreement of Loughborough Uni that they will cooperate with our summer developer. This developer is going to take a list of apps currently used in schools (like this one - cheers Mark!) and look at free ways of making them work under Linux - we're assuming a combination of WINE and porting, depending on the app, and contribute code and how-tos into the WINE project. Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: Mark Evans To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 4/8/03 11:01 AM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software This is the list I sent to James Spedding, listing the software we actually use. Kudos CASCAiD program for career selection.

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software
by Robb Bloomfield 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

Have just had a look at edu.kde.org, and some of the programs are very cool. Put one of our maths teachers who teaches Omnigraph in front of KPlot, and they thought it was nice, but the interpretation of some of the maths was a bit odd (although beyond me, so dunno :) ). I think staff need to know whats available, rather than, the school down the road uses this, so we will too... -----Original Message----- From: Chris Puttick [mailto:chris@centralmanclc.com] Sent: Wed 09/04/2003 08:21 To: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Cc: Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software I'm archiving all these, and will post it in the FAQ section of the website (when it's up and named...). Keep them coming, this is the stuff that will be really important in the final steps of persuading schools. -----Original Message----- From: Phil Driscoll To: adrian.wells; suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 4/8/03 2:45 PM Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software On Tuesday 08 April 2003 12:51 pm, adrian.wells wrote: > For PCB CAD also try Eagle, the lite version is free (not tried the linux > edition, but very good) Agreed - great software. Similarly, I've only used the Windows version, but it is great software and more than capable of dealing with anything schools are likely to need to do. Cheers -- Phil Driscoll -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software
by Chris Puttick 09 Apr '03

09 Apr '03

I'm archiving all these, and will post it in the FAQ section of the website (when it's up and named...). Keep them coming, this is the stuff that will be really important in the final steps of persuading schools. -----Original Message----- From: Phil Driscoll To: adrian.wells; suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 4/8/03 2:45 PM Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Linux equivalents of Windows software On Tuesday 08 April 2003 12:51 pm, adrian.wells wrote: > For PCB CAD also try Eagle, the lite version is free (not tried the linux > edition, but very good) Agreed - great software. Similarly, I've only used the Windows version, but it is great software and more than capable of dealing with anything schools are likely to need to do. Cheers -- Phil Driscoll -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe(a)suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help(a)suse.com

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