May 2003 - openSUSE Edu - openSUSE Mailing Lists

Schoolforge-UK cont'd
by James Spedding 19 May '03

19 May '03

here's the bit I was going to put on the CD. does it say enough or too much? Precipitated by the coming together of delegates at the conference a new organisation has been formed "to promote and support the use of freely-licensed resources and non-proprietary software in UK Schools" and "to make open educational resources more effective, efficient, and ubiquitous by enhancing communication, sharing resources, and increasing the transparency of development". Further information and official announcements will follow from Schoolforge-UK. If you are interested in finding out more please email interest(a)schoolforge.org.uk

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet
by Chris Puttick 16 May '03

16 May '03

Have friends in high places... Well, connections with a university that's involved in the JANet backbone. It's 1000 base LX into the heart of NW JANet and our firewall is the limiting factor (only got 100Mb card on the LAN side...). Also we were told in no uncertain terms that if we ever used the bandwidth available we'd be cut off. Which seems fair! We've never peaked past 4Mb according to Fluke. -----Original Message----- From: Dug Stokes To: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com' Sent: 5/14/03 11:26 AM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet I'm interested to find out where you get such a fast broadband connection? Care to share this info!? Please!? Dug Stokes Gilberd School -----Original Message----- From: Chris Puttick [mailto:chris@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 14 May 2003 11:07 To: 'Robb Bloomfield '; 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com ' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet We have gigabit... and I'm not joking... -----Original Message----- From: Robb Bloomfield To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 5/14/03 11:00 AM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet >> We have 100Mb broadband Bl**dy hell!!! really?!?! What are you using to see whether a user has visited a site, what is your reporting tool? Our users authenticate with the proxy, and that is what tells us what they've been doing, and controls their access. -----Original Message----- From: crowhurst [mailto:crowhurst@hatchend.harrow.sch.uk] Sent: Wed 14/05/2003 10:47 To: suse-linux-uk-schools Cc: Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet Well currently we don't have one! At least not on site - Each client has an ip in the range 10.112.44.x with the proxy being at a remote site. It all seems to work quite happily though. . Someone told our head of it that our proxy would be slowing it down (which I had my doubts about but still...) so we had the upheaval of changing it all about so that each client talked directly to our broadband providers proxy. I'm not sure that the way you have yours is suitable for us though. Let me clarify: I need to be able to say that user x did/did not look at the site www.somethingdodgy.com I don't want each user to have a "Windows account" and a "Linux Account" so want to be able to use the username/password from the win2k domain. for both. It is each individual user that needs to authenticate. cheers, Dan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robb Bloomfield" <rebloomfield(a)royallatin.bucks.sch.uk> To: <suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 10:39 AM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet > Let me clarify slightly... > > The proxy used to use our NT4 server to authenticate, so we only had one username and password... then we moved to Active Directory without knowing that IGEAR can't talk to it, so we had to set up proxy accounts, hence two usernames and passwords. > > Each student is fully accountable, as our Linux clients with Konqueror are able to pick up the proxy and authenticate quite happily. I can also manage the proxy via its web interface using Linux.... > > What are you using for a proxy? > > -----Original Message----- > From: crowhurst [mailto:crowhurst@hatchend.harrow.sch.uk] > Sent: Wed 14/05/2003 10:21 > To: Robb Bloomfield > Cc: > Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet > > > > According to our Grid for Learning T&C's each user must be accountable for > what he/she has viewed on the net. Authenticating them against their Win2k > domain usernames, using SAMBA was best way I thought, but any other views > on this anyone? > > Dan > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Robb Bloomfield" <rebloomfield(a)royallatin.bucks.sch.uk> > To: <suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com> > Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 10:18 AM > Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet > > > > The machines should be fine to run just a web browser, and I would say > that depending on your setup, you wouldn't even need a SAMBA server. We're > using an I-GEAR proxy through our local grid for learning, which works no > problem on linux clients. The authentication is done by the proxy, as it > can't query Active Directory in it's current build.... > > > > HTH, > > > > Robb > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: crowhurst [mailto:crowhurst@hatchend.harrow.sch.uk] > > Sent: Wed 14/05/2003 10:08 > > To: suse-linux-uk-schools > > Cc: > > Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet > > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > Whilst I have played a little with Linux over the years, I wouldn't say I > > was an expert by any means, and I have just joined this list. > > > > I work for a school in London, and we have a pile of Pentium 200 machines, > > with 32MB and 2Gb disks gathering dust in the corner. > > > > Rather than bin them I am keen to put them to good use as internet > terminals > > (probably fat client) > > > > We are going to be running a RM Connect 3 network, that is Win2k/XP as our > > main network. The users would have to be authenticated by the Win2k > domain, > > but other than that I cant foresee any restrictions. > > > > Would these machines be able to cope with this? They would only need to > run > > a web browser, and possibly email. So nothing fancy. Just Log In > Browse > > internet > Log off > > > > I also have the use of a 300MHz server 256MB 10Gb. > > > > I figured I could use the server as a samba server, which will allow me to > > authenticate to the Win2k domain I think, with the clients running a > > stripped down GUI with a browser. > > > > Any ideas on the best GUI/browser combination to use? > > > > > > Anyone tried something like this? I'd like to hear from you! > > > > And any other ideas/advice/input is greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks all, > > > > Dan > > > > > > -- > > 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 -- 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] Datalogging
by Grainge, Derek 16 May '03

16 May '03

Super idea - getting right under the bonnet. However .... I was lurking and not putting 2 and 2 together.... there is a Java API which has been developed for the Lego RCX brick. I have no idea how linux compatible it would be at a low level, but that provides an opportunity for a much higher level solution, and the possibility of a GUI interface to either logging or control, and to any number of devices - and you can connect home grown devices to the brick if you get the voltages right. If you do a google search for 'java rcx lego' you will find a lot of references and some downloads. There are already sourceforge entries for a few projects. e.g. LeJos, which claims to be Linux/windows compatible, and allows for an http interface to the brick. Remote control? Maybe someone much more expert than I can comment on their suitability? I believe there are a number of projects based around the RCX brick, some written in C? (Lego's software is flowchart-based and windows-specific. Doubly horrible :-) ) -----Original Message----- From: Richard Rothwell [mailto:raroth42@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: 14 May 2003 15:26 To: 'suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com ' Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Datalogging > > Not aware of any school friendly robotics or data > logging stuff for > Linux. I've been playing around with a design for a low cost one channel datalogging system, which would be ideal for a simple C project. Outline concept is this... -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster(a)wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk ********************************************************************************

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MySQL and java connectivity
by Bill Antonia 15 May '03

15 May '03

Hi All I've managed to install the java mysql driver and it seems to be working correctly. The problem is that the java applet I have written, when it tries to connect, depending upon whether localhost was used or the hostname was used, the connection will either be established or not. Working the problem through I think it is something to do with tcpd wrappers, as mentioned in /usr/shared/packages/mysql/readme.suse (I think!). In desparation I have added the following line to my hosts.allow file ALL : ALL However still no joy. It would have been nice in the documentation if there was an example of how to enable remote clients to connect to mysqld through the tcpd wrappers. Running SuSE 8.1 and the user table in the mysql database has been set up to accept connections from other hosts. Regards Bill

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Datalogging
by Robb Bloomfield 15 May '03

15 May '03

I'd have to dig out the lesson sheets, but I know we have micro-controller programmers here, and the kids make basic programs for them. Could this be an extra portion, making it even more cross curricular? (well, cross technology curricular, anyway :) ) -----Original Message----- From: Richard Rothwell [mailto:raroth42@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: Thu 15/05/2003 14:46 To: Suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Cc: Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Datalogging > Incidentally, does this application have to MS > specific? I'm making the > assumption that this is the case? > > I hope not. We really need Linux support for data > logging and control Absolutely! I was hoping for a very wide family of software solutions... but if the code is written carefully they can share components. I would really like to see the simplest software tool being one that most pupils could have a chance of undestanding some of the source code. This might be a simple program that read the values from the inputs and just echoed them on the console. At the other end of the spectrum I envision an all-singing-all-dancing solution with intial sample rate and maximum file size which recursively halves the sample rate and stores its file in some XML specified format while plotting the output on the screen. As for different hardware / software platforms I'm no expert but I guess that there would need to be different modules written for the low level sound-card / parallel port / games port interface for different platforms but the front end would just need re-compiling. Have a look and add some ideas on: http://www.schoolforge.org.uk/wiki/wiki.pl?DataLogging I'll try to summarise this discussion on there... ===== rgds, Richard Rothwell -------------------------------------------------------------------- GNU and Wine are rirds. Rird is recursively defined. __________________________________________________ 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

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RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet
by Chris Puttick 15 May '03

15 May '03

We offered and they didn't get it... IBM were up for putting in a z390 running 10,000 virtual Linux servers! Our connection was intended to provide Internet connectivity for all schools in Manchester, and soon this may come true (2 years later...). -----Original Message----- From: ian To: suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Sent: 5/14/03 12:10 PM Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Using older machines for the internet On Wed, 2003-05-14 at 11:54, Chris Puttick wrote: > Have friends in high places... Well, connections with a university that's > involved in the JANet backbone. It's 1000 base LX into the heart of NW JANet > and our firewall is the limiting factor (only got 100Mb card on the LAN > side...). Also we were told in no uncertain terms that if we ever used the > bandwidth available we'd be cut off. Which seems fair! We've never peaked > past 4Mb according to Fluke. Just think, you could have a massive server farm in the middle of Manchester and run thin client to all the schools in the LEA providing all their Office and other productivity tools with no licensing costs and a fully managed service. Now that would save large amounts of money and provide some real leadership to the rest of the education service ;-) -- ian <ian.lynch2(a)ntlworld.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] Datalogging
by Robb Bloomfield 15 May '03

15 May '03

I would hope it would eventually support a variety of platforms. That's why I prefer the term Open Source community - Free Software community does make everyone think of GNU/Linux. There's no reason why an app can't be open source on windows, mac, unix etc. And I'd be happy to try a port to mac. Note *try*. I'm still learning how to use darwin and Aqua :) -----Original Message----- From: Thomas Adam [mailto:thomas_adam16@yahoo.com] Sent: Thu 15/05/2003 14:12 To: Richard Rothwell; Suse-linux-uk-schools(a)suse.com Cc: Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Datalogging --- Richard Rothwell <raroth42(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > The project has been given a (temporary?) home on the > schoolforge.org.uk wiki - visit it at: > > http://www.schoolforge.org.uk/wiki/wiki.pl?DataLogging > > let's move the discussion there where it can be > developed. Please edit this, add links and get > involed. > > In particular I would like anyone who has written > worksheets for any data logging lessons to post them, > as that will let us come up with a requirements list. I'll add my self to this list, although it should be pointed out that I am only 20 and at university, although I'm hoping that doesn't matter.. Incidentally, does this application have to MS specific? I'm making the assumption that this is the case? -- Thomas Adam ===== Thomas Adam "The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- www.linuxgazette.com __________________________________________________ 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

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Some tickets still left for AFFSAC this weekend
by MJ Ray 15 May '03

15 May '03

AFFSAC (Association For Free Software Annual Conference) is at Aston University this weekend. For the simple 10 pound membership application fee, or free if you're already a member, you get a day of stonking talks, including John Adams about the moodle courseware software and contributor to this list Ian Lynch about the OFT process. Other talks on providing stable internet services and the LVM disk system are also likely to be very useful to those working in schools. I'm trying to get rid of the last few tickets today, so please look at http://www.affs.org.uk/affsac.html for the full schedule and register before I return to the office. ;-) Any questions, please email me. -- MJR http://mjr.towers.org.uk/ IM: slef(a)jabber.at This is my home web site. This for Jabber Messaging. How's my writing? Let me know via any of my contact details.

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Using older machines for the internet
by crowhurst 14 May '03

14 May '03

Hi everyone, Whilst I have played a little with Linux over the years, I wouldn't say I was an expert by any means, and I have just joined this list. I work for a school in London, and we have a pile of Pentium 200 machines, with 32MB and 2Gb disks gathering dust in the corner. Rather than bin them I am keen to put them to good use as internet terminals (probably fat client) We are going to be running a RM Connect 3 network, that is Win2k/XP as our main network. The users would have to be authenticated by the Win2k domain, but other than that I cant foresee any restrictions. Would these machines be able to cope with this? They would only need to run a web browser, and possibly email. So nothing fancy. Just Log In > Browse internet > Log off I also have the use of a 300MHz server 256MB 10Gb. I figured I could use the server as a samba server, which will allow me to authenticate to the Win2k domain I think, with the clients running a stripped down GUI with a browser. Any ideas on the best GUI/browser combination to use? Anyone tried something like this? I'd like to hear from you! And any other ideas/advice/input is greatly appreciated. Thanks all, Dan

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Suse adopting Nymph for thin clients
by ian 14 May '03

14 May '03

Seems that Mandrake and Suse will be adopting Michael Brown's Nymph thin client implementation. Similar to the LTSP system based around RedHat. (I think its better but then I'm biased :-) ) In fact Mandrake have already incorporated it in 9.x, not sure when it will appear in a Suse distro, but it can't be too far off. Same technology as developed in East Hull CLC, Wakefield City High School and Hall Garth Performing Arts College. Most people will either have met Michael at the Open Source in Schools meeting or seen his contributions to this list. Just think we need to recognise it when one of our own helps push the boundaries. -- ian <ian.lynch2(a)ntlworld.com>

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