Hi Jeff, james
On Mi 06 Mai 2009 00:32:16 CEST Jeff Shantz
wrote: On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 11:22 AM, James Tremblay aka SLEducator
wrote: when a user decides to use the "add on " feature the YaST module should provide four basic patterns
I'm sorry, but I don't think we need this. I know that James always "figthing" against our existing patterns (sometimes he tells me he's not seeing them at all ;-) but I think we've covered this area already. I'm sorry. but If a 15 year veteran of PC networking is having issues with something there must be a problem. I could not get the gnome
Hi Jeff, Lars and Everyone. Lars Vogdt wrote: patterns to show any changes to the install at all.
If we need improvements here, I see the following options: * improve the current patterns (available in our SVN resp. in the Education repository as packages patterns-education-desktop and patterns-education-server)
* improve the automatic activation of the patterns if a user adds the Add-On * write a special YaST Module which includes in the initial installation workflow and shows a list of extra applications * create different sets of CDs/DVDs - for example: ** Server-CD: just containing what's needed for a school server (and even here I see different target groups...) ** Desktop-DVD for grade 6 classes ** Desktop-DVD for higher grade classes A DVD Is over 4 GB native and 8 GB in dual layer , most places are lucky to have a 1mb connection to the internet, in parts of India the only
Only two patterns is educationally USELESS. Unless you can prove to me from equal experience, AKA 15 years of building and managing school networks with over 500 PC's in one location and managing as many as 11 locations in one school district, that I am wrong. Children don't come with a one size fits all brain. Three student desktop patterns based on age groups is an imperative. I have used ZENworks for desktops for at least 10 years to provide this and if you ask in the Novell TTP list for k-12 novelleduc@lists.novttp.org you will find hundreds of technology directors that agree. Also search Novell's knowledge base and cool solutions for things related to schools you will find that a common thread is how to deliver to these age groups place to the internet for miles is a cafe. Those parents who can get a computer need to be able to order or be given the DVD's and don't care about filtering anyway. Filtering and Internet Management should always be an individual choice within the installation patterns.
all those CDs/DVDs could be Live-DVDs including the YaST-Live-Installer - it's just a question of time until someone in our comunity asks who they can be created... Using the "Build Studio" to build and store subcomponent\specialized "task disks" is a much smarter idea. we can host individual live "task disks" in the download area and they don't need the education modules installation features because the live installer is just a scripted dump to HD anyway. Think about shipping physical media to the masses and education for all children. get openSUSE the Distro then get openSUSE-EDU the add-on , This delivers our system on two disks and that means low postage and download costs for the "total solution".
4) server - based on the openschoolserver from Extis http://www.openschoolserver.net/ , including choices for an SIS (student information system) Class or openSIS, School administrative software like
This is interesting. I haven't seen openschoolserver or openSIS before, but I see from your profile that were/are involved in openSIS development. Perhaps we could chat more about how it could be integrated into the education module once I've had a chance to explore openSIS a bit. From my limited knowledge of openSIS, I am assuming you just envision that when the user selects "Server" in the education module, it simply initiates the installation of the Base Application edition of openSIS, and then informs the user of the URL to which they can browse in order to continue configuration within openSIS. Does this sound reasonable, or do you envision the module going more deeply into openSIS configuration?
Thanks for your comments.
My original idea behind the YaST-Education module: * first provide a solution for home users The 3 age groups still exist.
* afterwards think about improving the module (if needed) for a complete school Giving children access to what they have in school helps build confidence in their computing skills. Think school first (eight hrs per day), home second (6 hrs per day), more importantly think TOTAL SOLUTION! The NASCAR \ INDY crew chief respects the car designer but listens to the driver. What would the teacher want? Parents and Teachers usually share the same goals but teachers are trained to deliver them.
Why? Because my personal view shows that many distributions try to get into schools - and not many trying to get on the PCs in the nursery...
So from my point of view, here's a list of requirements. Main goal: provide parents with a way to control settings for their children in openSUSE! All that takes is for the kiosk tools to work. I have had a running bug report on Sabayon for two years https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=483240 search "Sabayon" in
Studies show that leaving a computer in a child's room is detrimental to their performance in school. That all computer usage should be in a family room area. This way questions about their school work can be most easily be answered. This also helps the child to interact with the parents for as long as possible every day. These same studies show that having a TV in a child's room is also detrimental even when the parent can control content and play time. it's emotionally and physically isolating which is bad for anyone. Not to mention the fact that most homes don't have a dedicated PC for the child or children , it's just to expensive. the main bugzilla for more.
Includes (this is not final): * activate a "kiosk like" desktop (Sugar?) to simplify the kids desktop * set system restrictions to allow only launching specific applications * limit the access to the PC for a set amount of time per day or week * include "Bedtime" limit (don't use the computer at night...)
* restrict internet connection: ** use squidGuard for blocking/filtering URLs (or use whitelists)... ** use Firewall settings for blocking/filtering Email, IRC, Chat, ... ** Use a logfile or a "popup" to show kids and parents that (and why) a webpage is blocked - and "relink" them to a (YaST-) Module to allow that page (temporary). Good as a choice on all patterns , however , should have the ability to be disabled when using an LDAP or other authentication service. This way schools can manage these things from the infrastructure with group or object associations.
The points on this list are IMO very important for home users. ...and IMO the same rules apply for schools. Think about "Kiosk-Computers" in a school cafeteria or think about computer lessons, where a teacher wants to show/allow only a specific application. Think about schools allowing their students a limited set of pages printed out on the school printer... In both Active Directory and Novell e-Directory schools these settings are managed with network tools like Zenworks and Group Policies and can be in Linux networks too with combinations of tools like group memberships and Sabayon or the kde kiosk tool. Forcing network protocol management into the desktop patterns would just mean more to shut off for the team of people (usually teachers) who manage the PC's using network based desktop management tools. If the network manager or parent can go into a tool(sabayon) and add students\children to a new group
All good in the "Primary" or k-6 pattern. that gets access to xyz application, isn't that much easier and useful.
With kind regards, Lars
Thanks -- James A. Tremblay openSIS Product Specialist http://www.os4ed.com http://www.opensis.com e-mail james "at" os4ed.com Phone (678)392-4031 Registered Linux user #440182 openSUSE-Education founder http://en.opensuse.org/education e-mail sleducator "at" opensuse.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-edu+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-edu+help@opensuse.org