Now what would be useful is some feedback on how best to configure a Linux / Samba server for use in a real-world school environment ...including some well documented configuration scripts. Would Dave or anyone else on this list like to chip in here,
David Bowles
If we go back to first principles, why do you nee a particular OS? - To
run programs. Since virtually all educational software will run on
Windows 98,NT,2000, if you have paid for these try and avoid upgrading.
To run major productivity tools you have GNU/Linux with OO.o, GIMP,
Mozilla etc all of which can be run thin client so you don't need to
upgrade your stations unless they physically break down. So you have a
network that is fundamentally thin/intermetiate client running off
servers for major productivity tools and networking, and local work
stations running older versions of windows for backward compatibility.
Use rsync to reset any student hacked workstations and to distribute
software. We have a number of schools using this set up and it seems to
work OK. Its not trivial though to set it all up so its seamless to the
user, but by charging for such services we have a commercial model that
really is necessary if FLOSS is to go beyond its current niche.
It would not be too hard to use VNC to implement a system for teacher to
take control of any workstation from anywhere on the network and to
"look in" on any student without them knowing. Unfortunately to develop
this in an easy to use format which will work with both OSs will cost
about £15k and this is the problem. We can't develop things from no
resources when there is no guarantee that it will pay for itself.
Regards,
--
ian