Re: Who is using Debian-Edu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, May 15, 2024 at 7:50 AM Mike Gabriel  wrote:

>
> >> If you have time, I would appreciate chatting with your (or anyone
> >> else who is involved in Debian-Edu), about Linux adoption, etc. While
> >> I know a few people who use Linux either personally or professionally,
> >> I don't know anyone who is actually interested in promoting or
> >> improving Linux.
>
> I'd be happy to give a private session on Linux at schools or Linux in
> public sector in a video call session. To increase the impact, find me
> a group of people (not just you) who are interested in the topic,
> ideally with people from the Australian government, Australian school
> decision makers, etc. With an audience of 10-20 people, I am happy to
> do a non-profit 1.5h workshop on FLOSS in education or FLOSS @
> government.
>

If this workshop is done, let me know about the details. I am interested in
participating.

I can also help with organizing it, if needed.
For example I have a BBB server (https://bbb.fs.al/), I can help with
recording and publishing it, etc.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: User Docs for DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 12:56 PM Dashamir Hoxha 
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> On Fri, Mar 31, 2023 at 11:09 PM Dashamir Hoxha 
> wrote:
> > I'd like to inform you that recently we (me, Mike and Holger) submitted
> a project proposal to Google Season of Docs:
> >
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/funding/gsod/-/blob/main/2023/project-proposal.md
>
> As a follow up, although this project was not sponsored by GSoD, I may
> still find some time to work on it during the summer.
>

> To get started, we should create these two repos on
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu and give me full access on them:
> - docs
> - debian-edu.pages.debian.net  (yes, it should be named like this)
>

> According to the salsa docs (
> https://wiki.debian.org/Salsa/Doc#Web_page_hosting), the content of the
> first repo will be available on this url:
> https://debian-edu.pages.debian.net/docs/ , and the content of the second
> repo (which will be used for the new homepage) will be available on the
> url: https://debian-edu.pages.debian.net/ (as soon as I push some content
> to them).
>

Sorry, I have been busy with other things and couldn't find time for it.
I just started this repo: https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/docs (better
late than never).

According to the salsa docs, the auto-generated doc pages should be
available at this url:
- https://debian-edu.pages.debian.net/docs/
However, what actually happens is that this url is forwarded to a random
url.
I don't know why, maybe the salsa maintainers should be asked about this.

I am aware (from past discussions) that not everybody is happy with this
documentation approach/toolchain.
I just created this small repo as a seed. If people like it, it will grow
over time. Otherwise it will be forgotten and will die. Or it can be
removed immediately; I just spent a couple of days with it, not a big deal.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: Debian Edu 12 - Call for Testing

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi Mike,

On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 8:11 AM Mike Gabriel  wrote:

>
> ### Quick Start HowTo
>
> For testing Debian Edu 12, set up e.g. LXD or libVirt and install (at
> least) three virtual machines. In your virtualization software prepare
> an internal network where the VMs can reach one another without
> needing access to your local network.
>

Instead of LXD, I would recommend using Incus (
https://linuxcontainers.org/incus/).
Incus is a recent community fork of LXD (which is owned by Canonical).

I had some instructions about how to test Debian Edu with LXD.
I have updated them to Incus:
https://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-incus.html
These instructions are still for Debian Edu 11, I have not done the testing
yet for Debian Edu 12, but it should be very similar (I guess). I hope that
I will find time to do it soon, and update/correct these instructions.

Regards,
Dashamir

Workshop about FUSS

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago we did a workshop about FUSS.

FUSS is a distribution based on the Debian GNU/Linux. It includes all the
software that is needed to create a computer lab: server, client and
standalone machines, with centralized user authentication and home
directories. Similar to DebianEdu.

Here are the recordings of the workshop:
https://peertube.debian.social/w/p/n1dptBf4whtmKCmwvr7dgG
I hope that you will find it interesting.

Have a nice day,
Dashamir

Re: Goodbye Wolfgang!!!

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 9:36 PM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

>
> Thank you very much for including the instructions.  The only package I
> failed to find from the Debian archive is glab, and as far as I can tell
> this is just a fancy way to clone a git repository, as gource seem to
> work well with any existing git repo I have laying around.  I am already
> playing with it to visualize my projects. :)
>

I started using glab a couple of months ago, and I forgot how I
installed it.
That's right, it is a fancy way to manage GitLab repositories. For example
I use it to clone the repos of an organization/group (like debian-edu) all
at once. The alternative is to clone each of them manually.

Happy hacking :)
Dashamir

Re: Goodbye Wolfgang!!!

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 2:46 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

>
> wow, nice, also that you documented step by step instructions how to do it.
> I'm tempted to redo it and from https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu
> skip the git repos located in the "funding", "historic" and "upstream"
> repositories. this should result in much fewer names and such a much
> better overview.
>
> or could you maybe be so kind and produce such a video too? ;)
>

I am almost sure that after this improvement there will be another one that
would be nice to do, then another one, and so on. Especially if you have a
look at the features/options of gource.
So, I don't mind repeating all the steps for a small change, but I am sure
that this is not going to be the final version, and this round-trip process
is not efficient (I produce and upload a video, you review it and ask for
corrections).
That's why I included the instructions.

Dashamir

Re: Goodbye Wolfgang!!!

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 7:20 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> Dear Wolfgang,
>
> today I saw with sadness that you removed yourself from the Uploaders:
> fields of all the Debian Edu packages.
>
> I need to say: THANKS A LOT FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR Debian Edu
> We will miss your meticulous work on Debian Edu / Skolelinux.
>
> May you be well and healthy! Hope to see you again somewhere some time!!!
>
>  From the heart,
> Mike
> --


I made a visualization of contributions to debian-edu over time:
https://peertube.debian.social/w/sNtYiY55gUeTSaQkEQzCnm

It can certainly be customized and improved, `gource` has lots of options.
I have included some instructions on the description, in case someone wants
to reproduce it.

Dashamir

Fwd: [Lugbz-list] Workshop: PUAVO and FUSS - Tuesday June 13th 2023 - 17:00 - 19:00

[Dashamir Hoxha]

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STATUS:CONFIRMED
SUMMARY:Workshop: PUAVO and FUSS
DESCRIPTION:A Finnish and a South Tyrolean Free Software project meet to sh
 are their Digital Sustainability experience with schools.\n\nThe workshop w
 ill take place in the Meeting Room (ground floor) at the Intendenza Scolast
 ica Italiana and at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (streaming) in Roo
 m E2.22.\n\nIt will be possible to follow the event remotely at the link ht
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Re: CfEngine vs bash scripts

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, May 14, 2023 at 9:18 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> Also, in debian-edu-fai I run cfEngine and use debian-edu-config's
> cfEngine ruleset to finalize the system setup.
>

It makes sense to use cfEngine in a FAI context, because you have all the
scripts in a central machine and you run them on other machines to set them
up properly. This is what cfEngine was made for. However it does not make
sense to download them and to run them on the local machine. In this case
bash scripts would be a better alternative (for all practical purposes,
bash is readily available almost everywhere).

My opinion is that whoever is not able to write idempotent bash scripts,
should not try to automate server configurations (no offence intended).
Errors and mistakes are unavoidable, one way or another. The remedy is
frequent and systematic testing (automated testing if possible).

Anyway, you have your opinion and I have mine. There is no point in an
endless discussion.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: CfEngine vs bash scripts

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, May 13, 2023 at 9:07 AM Dominik George 
wrote:

>
> That said, both Mike and me are making efforts to introduce FAI to parts
> of Debian Edu, but not for everything.
>

This seems interesting. I hope there will be some instructions on how to
use it.

Dashamir

Re: CfEngine vs bash scripts

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 1:34 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

>
> not telling you what to do, but IMNSHO someone with time should look
> into
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/Status/Bookworm#Known_problems_that_need_to_be_fixed
> else we don't have Debian Edu / Skolelinux in bookworm.
>

You are certainly right, from your point of view. But I lack the motivation
to work on these tasks, even if I had time.
Besides, I think that these tasks are difficult for a beginner (who is not
familiar with all the services and their configuration details).

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: User Docs for DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 1:11 PM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

>
> While it is unclear to me if it is a good idea to leave the Debian wiki
> when writing documentation, I leave that to others to figure out.
>

I leave that to others too.

I just wanted to point out that when selecting source format for the
> documentation, I strongly recommend using a format that can be converted
> to docobok using pandoc, to be able to create good looking documentation
> in both HTML, PDF and ePub format.
>
> It is also a very good idea to ensure the format selected is well
> handled by po4a to allow the documents to be translated into non-English
>
> Personally I would recommend Restructured text (rst) over markdown, as
> it has a richer vocabulary than markdown.  I recommend Restructured text
> over Asciidoc as the latter is less well supported by po4a.
>

My first choice would be AsciiDoc+Antora because I have some experience
with them.

I think that the AsciiDoc syntax provides the best mapping to the DocBook
features.
Pandoc cannot handle it well precisely because its structure is richer than
what pandoc can support.
But we can use Asciidoctor instead to generate DocBook from AsciiDoc:
https://docs.asciidoctor.org/asciidoctor/latest/docbook-backend/

I have not really explored po4a (and if you ask me it is a bad approach to
translation), but it seems like it is supported:
https://gitlab.com/antora-ui-custom/antora-i18n#user-content-po4a
Cannot say whether this support is better or worse compared to Restructured
text.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

CfEngine vs bash scripts

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I don't understand the benefits of using cfengine instead of bash scripts
in debian-edu-config. I believe that all the needed configurations can be
done with bash scripts.

I am not familiar with cfengine, but I assume that it is similar to
ansible, which I am familiar with a little bit. They are made to automate
the installation (and configuration) of hundreds of servers from a single
place. But when there is only one server to configure and maintain, bash
scripts are much better.

Some of the advantages of bash scripts would be:
- They are more powerful and flexible.
- Bash is ubiquitous (it is available everywhere), no need for extra
dependencies.
- Bash scripts are much more popular than cfengine (or ansible). The number
of people who can understand, customize and contribute to bash scripts is
much higher than those who can do the same thing with cfengine.

Have you ever thought about converting the cfengine scripts to bash
scripts? If this seems like an improvement, I can have a look at it (when I
find time). I do have some good experience with using bash scripts for
server configuration.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

User Docs for DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

On Fri, Mar 31, 2023 at 11:09 PM Dashamir Hoxha 
wrote:
> I'd like to inform you that recently we (me, Mike and Holger) submitted a
project proposal to Google Season of Docs:
>
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/funding/gsod/-/blob/main/2023/project-proposal.md

As a follow up, although this project was not sponsored by GSoD, I may
still find some time to work on it during the summer.

To get started, we should create these two repos on
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu and give me full access on them:
- docs
- debian-edu.pages.debian.net  (yes, it should be named like this)

According to the salsa docs (
https://wiki.debian.org/Salsa/Doc#Web_page_hosting), the content of the
first repo will be available on this url:
https://debian-edu.pages.debian.net/docs/ , and the content of the second
repo (which will be used for the new homepage) will be available on the
url: https://debian-edu.pages.debian.net/ (as soon as I push some content
to them).

I do have some experience with static websites that are published on
gitlab.com, and I believe that it should be almost the same on salsa.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: About AlekSIS

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Mon, May 8, 2023 at 12:22 PM Dominik George 
wrote:

>
> AlekSIS can now sync in both directions...
>
> ...and thus could replace GOSa at some point.
>

This is good news. I am looking forward to testing AlekSIS in DebianEdu.

Personally, I am working on replacing GOSa, and even LDAP in its entirety.
>
> There are three options:
>
> * AlekSIS + GOSa
> * AlekSIS as LDAP manager
> * AlekSIS without LDAP
>

I also find LDAP difficult to manage, and a bit archaic. So, I would
support AlekSIS without LDAP, if possible.

The Debian Edu project has not made an official decision yet and has agreed
> to only do that after tech demos of all three scenarios are available.
>

Thanks for the quick answer and for the great work.
Dashamir

About AlekSIS

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I had a quick look at the features of AlekSIS. It seems like it can make a
one-way synchronization with an LDAP directory, which means that it can
read all the data from the LDAP, but it does not save back to it all the
modifications, except maybe for a modified password.

My impression is that GOsa is just an LDAP editor; it saves all the data on
LDAP. So, it seems like AlekSIS needs to be integrated with GOsa, and
cannot replace it.

Am I correct, or I am missing something? Because I remember from previous
discussions that GOsa is deprecated and it is going to be replaced by
AlekSIS.

Regards,
Dashamir

Application to GSoD

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I'd like to inform you that recently we (me, Mike and Holger) submitted a
project proposal to Google Season of Docs:
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/funding/gsod/-/blob/main/2023/project-proposal.md
The selection results have been announced already (
https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/participants/) and
unfortunately our proposal was not among those that were accepted.

Let's hope that next year we are more lucky.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: guest account and kerberos

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 10:16 AM Lorenzo Ceriani 
wrote:

>
> I was afraid that an account made in that way could create conflicts with
> the administration of the users created centrally with Gosa2
>

I think that local accounts and central Gosa2 accounts don't create any
conflicts with each-other.

By the way, I have written a blog post about guest accounts, many years ago:
https://dashohoxha.fs.al/linux-guest-account/
It is about Ubuntu, and maybe a bit outdated, so I am not sure whether it
is useful for your case.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: no login on diskless-workstations

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 3:32 PM Frank Weißer  wrote:

>
> Saved /etc/network/interfaces during installation, since it gets
> replaced with a not working eth1 ip v6 address instead of 192.168.0.254/24
> .
> Restored /etc/network/interfaces before rebooting.
>

This looks suspicious to me. Why does it get replaced with a non-working IP?
Normally you should not have to do these steps (as far as I know).


> Waited after reboot, 'til RAID5 / x2go stuff stop being busy.
> Ran /usr/share/debian-edu-config/tools/subnet-change -n 192.168.250.0/24
> to change my subnet to the one, offered by our school board.
>

Normally the debian-edu network should be isolated from the rest of the
network (by placing it behind a router).
I am not sure whether that script works correctly.

Rebooted immediate
> Stopped service named and restarted after deleting /var/cache/bind/key*
> to get access the web
>
> What works:
> Log in on tjener as the user, set up during installation.
>
> What does not work:
> Log in as that user graphical on diskless workstations 192.168.250.130
> (hostname ltsp130) nor 192.168.0.22 (ltsp22)
> Changing to console 1 I can log in, getting
> 'No directory, logging in with HOME=/'
>
> /skole is mounted on both
>
> Why is /skole/tjener/home0 not?
>

Have you tried to update the image of diskless clients with:

`debian-edu-ltsp-install --diskless_workstation yes`

I am not sure, but maybe there are some changed configurations that need to
be propagated to these images.

Let us know how it goes.

Dashamir

Re: guest account and kerberos

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 5:41 PM Lorenzo Ceriani 
wrote:

> Hi,
> I am very happy of our new Debian-edu computer lab, everything is running
> smooth even if the machine are old enough.
> I have just some help requests:
> 1. I need a passwordless guest account on every client which erase all
> data on every login or logout (useful for doing national online exams) For
> the moment i created a local account with the same name on every client
> with adduser *** and then passwd -d ***.
> Still to do the erasing part, but for the moment it seems ok. Can this
> create problems with debian-edu?
>

It is not clear how you create those local accounts, so cannot say whether
they create any problem.

There is nothing in the debian-edu docs about guest accounts (yet).
However, debian-edu is based on the LTSP project, and there are some
blogs/discussions about guest accounts here and there. For example:
- http://www.m-opensolutions.com/ltsp-guest-accounts-and-mate-desktop-setup/
- https://dashohoxha.fs.al/ltsp-scenarios/#org3535561
- https://github.com/ltsp/ltsp/discussions/298

I have also used guest accounts in another similar context:
-
https://gitlab.com/docker-scripts/debian-desktop/-/blob/main/inject/setup-user-accounts.sh#L84

Maybe these can give some hints about how to develop your own solution.
If you find a suitable solution, please let us know how you did it.

Regards,
Dashamir



> 2. I would like to avoid that (kerberos?) dialog box that ofteh/always
> asks for a password after login. It confounds pupils... :-)
> Thanks in advance for your advice!
> L.
>
>

The name of the project

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

Often I see the name of the project written like this: Debian Edu/Skolelinux
In my opinion this is not good because it means "Debian Edu or Debian
Skolelinux", which doesn't make sense.

In the introduction page on the wiki I find this explanation:
"Some say that Debian Edu is the name of the project, and Skolelinux is
the name of the distribution, but in practice both names now actually refer
to the same project."
In my understanding, this means that we can use either "Debian Edu", or
"Skolelinux" (but not both of them), and it does not make any difference,
since each of them refers to the same project.

If I had to choose, I would use "Debian Edu", because this is more generic
and makes more sense to me. I would even use it as a single word, without a
space in the middle, the way that it is used on the wiki:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu
This seems better to me but I am not sure why.

What do you think about this?

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: GSoD project proposal

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 12:34 PM Dashamir Hoxha 
wrote:

> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 11:48 AM Mike Gabriel <
> mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:
>
>>
>> Let's schedule a video call to work on this together for 1h or so. The
>> coming week should be good for that (second half of the week).
>>
>
> Sure. Let me know a suitable time for you. Most probably it should be
> suitable for me too.
> We can meet at:  https://bbb.fs.al/b/das-ozt-lfk-nkr
> Everyone else who might be interested is invited to join (I guess).
>

I hope that everyone is well. I did not hear from you, or maybe I have
missed the message.

Ok. Understood. I can become primary admin, but due to time
>> restriction on my end, I'd need you to help with major parts of the
>> diligent admin tasks.
>>
>
> Of course I can try to help. But you should familiarize yourself with the
> admin guide, which explains what is expected from an admin:
> https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/admin-guide
>

I forgot to mention that the project proposal should be structured as
described here:
https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/org-proposal-template

In general, it is not a full time job, so you should be able to find time
> for it.
> Admins are expected to define the requirements of the project (project
> proposal), to negotiate with any applicants about the details, and to
> select a suitable technical writer. Then fill the application form on GSoD
> (deadline March 24).
>
> If the project is accepted, admins and the community help the technical
> writer to get familiar with DebianEdu, if needed. The documentation project
> lasts for 3 to 6 months (depending on the agreement with the technical
> writer). Each month the admin has to fill a progress report form,
> evaluating the work of the technical writer so far. There is also a final
> evaluation, and a case study report that summaries the whole project.
> There are also some details on the timeline:
> https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/timeline
>
> If the project is accepted by GSoD, the admin should also create an Open
> Collective account, in order to receive the grant from GSoD and send it to
> the technical writer (which also should have an Open Collective account). A
> percentage of the grant may also go to the admin, or organization, or may
> be used for the expenses of the project, etc. These details should be
> explained in the project proposal that is submitted to GSoD.
>

I wonder if the Outreach Team can help us to pull off this project (I
included them in the Cc). Certainly they have more experience than us in
managing such projects.

> We can discuss more details in the meeting (most probably I have forgotten
> some).
>
> Regards,
> Dashamir
>

Re: GSoD project proposal

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 11:48 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> Let's schedule a video call to work on this together for 1h or so. The
> coming week should be good for that (second half of the week).
>

Sure. Let me know a suitable time for you. Most probably it should be
suitable for me too.
We can meet at:  https://bbb.fs.al/b/das-ozt-lfk-nkr
Everyone else who might be interested is invited to join (I guess).

Ok. Understood. I can become primary admin, but due to time
> restriction on my end, I'd need you to help with major parts of the
> diligent admin tasks.
>

Of course I can try to help. But you should familiarize yourself with the
admin guide, which explains what is expected from an admin:
https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/admin-guide

In general, it is not a full time job, so you should be able to find time
for it.
Admins are expected to define the requirements of the project (project
proposal), to negotiate with any applicants about the details, and to
select a suitable technical writer. Then fill the application form on GSoD
(deadline March 24).

If the project is accepted, admins and the community help the technical
writer to get familiar with DebianEdu, if needed. The documentation project
lasts for 3 to 6 months (depending on the agreement with the technical
writer). Each month the admin has to fill a progress report form,
evaluating the work of the technical writer so far. There is also a final
evaluation, and a case study report that summaries the whole project.
There are also some details on the timeline:
https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/timeline

If the project is accepted by GSoD, the admin should also create an Open
Collective account, in order to receive the grant from GSoD and send it to
the technical writer (which also should have an Open Collective account). A
percentage of the grant may also go to the admin, or organization, or may
be used for the expenses of the project, etc. These details should be
explained in the project proposal that is submitted to GSoD.

We can discuss more details in the meeting (most probably I have forgotten
some).

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: GSoD project proposal

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 9:07 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> The goal of this GSoD participation would be a modern "Debian Edu User
> Manual", right?
>

Yes.
I created a very basic project proposal page, however I just realized that
I sent the wrong URL on the previous message. The correct URL is this:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/GSoD2023Proposal
Please feel free to improve it, because it needs lots of improvements.

Some examples from other projects that are trying to apply:
- https://github.com/apache/apisix/discussions/8852
- https://github.com/rubygsoc/rubygsod/wiki/Ideas-List-(2023)

If so, please go ahead with this. I'll sign up for co-admin/co-mentor
> (deputy mentor, so to say, or your source of information if you can't
> answer questions during mentorship).
>

Mike, thanks for supporting the idea.
However, I can't be the primary project admin, because my role and
involvement in DebianEdu is quite peripheral.
Besides, to be honest, I'd like to apply as a technical writer to some of
the GSoD projects (this helps me to survive). I don't think there is a
conflict between being admin in one project and technical writer in
another, at least I haven't seen anything like this in the rules. But in
case there is a conflict, I can drop the admin role. So, I can't be the
primary admin.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

GSoD project proposal

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

It seems that GSoD, different from GSoC, supports only one project per
organization. So, if we want to apply, we must do it on our own (cannot
rely on Debian as an umbrella organization).

The process starts with creating a project proposal page (
https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/admin-guide#exploration_phase).
I have started a template proposal here:
https://wiki.debian.org/GSoD2023proposal Feel free to edit, improve and
refine it.

I also volunteer to be one of the project admins/mentors, if this is
acceptable. Otherwise I can just try to help the technical writer with
details about the project. In any case, we still need at least another
admin/mentor for this project.

Different from GSoC, the aim of GSoD is not to teach technical writers how
to write good documentation, so the job of admins (supported also by the
community) is to help them with technical details of the project, so that
they can document them. Project admins also have to send a bunch of reports
to GSoD, about the progress of the project, etc.

I know that people are busy with other things, but I am just giving it a
try.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Transfer storage from home to var

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Feb 3, 2023 at 9:43 AM  wrote:

>
> sudo lvextend -L+5G /dev/vg_system/var
>   Insufficient free space: 1280 extents needed, but only 138 available
>

If you don't mind, can you share the output of the commands:

sudo vgdisplay
sudo lvdisplay

If you just say "it doesn't work", without providing some context, it is
difficult to guess what might be wrong.

Dashamir

Re: Transfer storage from home to var

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Feb 2, 2023 at 9:30 PM  wrote:

>
> As mentioned in my email, I was able to reduce the size of
> /skole/jener/home0. I therefore logged in als root and unmounted
> /skole/jener/home0.
>

This is usually done in two steps: first you resize (shrink) the
filesystem, then you resize (shrink) the LVM partition.
The first step should look like this:

umount /dev/vg_system/home
e2fsck -f /dev/vg_system/home
resize2fs /dev/vg_system/home 90G # assuming it is 100G

For the second step you use the lvresize or lvreduce, as explained by
Petter.

Dashamir

Re: [Season of Docs - Announcements] Announcing Google Season of Docs 2023

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 10:44 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> On  Mi 18 Jan 2023 22:26:48 CET, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
>
> Rather than migrating the admin docs (as that's what Debian Edu Doc is
> mainly about: system administration of a Debian Edu site), mayb I
> suggest starting to work on a user documentation that explains how to
> utilize Debian Edu in a school from a user/teacher/student perspective.
>
> We currently lack that and it would be nice to have and also it would
> be nice to have it in some fancy and new webUI design.
>

Seems reasonable.

I think that some docs that explain the internals of DebianEdu might also
be useful (both for the administrators, to help them debug and troubleshoot
problems, and for any new developers, to help them get started). But this
may be a bit more difficult.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Fwd: [Season of Docs - Announcements] Announcing Google Season of Docs 2023

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 1:44 AM Holger Levsen  wrote:

> we spent a lot of time and effort to be able to maintain
> src:debian-edu-doc as wiki, including translations,
>

Probably you did it a long time ago, and maybe there were no better options
for documentation at that time. Why not check out the documentation systems
that are available today and see whether they are better?
I wrote my own DocBookWiki system 20 years ago, but I don't even think of
using it now because there are better options available.

so why would you want to change this? to address what problems,
> shortcomings,
> bugs, ...?
>

A wiki usually stores the data in a DB (but not all of them, some use plain
text). I don't know what is the case for your wiki, but this is
fundamentally wrong (one could also say "blasphemous"). Why? Because it
does not allow you to use a text editor (like Emacs) for editing the docs.
Maybe you could use some tricks, like export them to text files, edit them
and import again, but this does not count.

Another reason for switching to a better system might be that the wiki
syntax is a general purpose one (usually), it was not meant for the docs.
So, it is not as flexible, powerful and versatile as a language that was
created specifically for the docs, like AsciiDoc for example, which can be
thought of as a wiki syntax for the docs (actually it is compatible with
DocBook).
For example, I remember struggling with the current wiki while trying to
add a "Warning" or "Tip" admonition.

Versioning might be another reason. Text files can be versioned easily with
Git and GitLab. Although the wikis do have some versioning features, I
don't think they are as good as Git (unless they use Git under the hood).
Their workflow also cannot be as good as that of GitLab (where you make
some changes as a proposal, in a merge request, and after they are reviewed
and refined, they are merged and applied).

The question can be turned upside down. Can you name any reasons why the
documentation system that you are using is better than the ones that are
being used nowadays (for example Markdown+MkDocs or AsciiDoc+Antora)?
Besides "if it ain't broke, why fix it".

In the end, everything depends on your preferences. A thing that seems like
a bug to someone, may seem like a feature to another. If you are happy with
the current system, you can keep it.

> - Reorganizing the docs into Installation, Usage, and Development guides.
> > Right now everything is in the same manual, but the information about
> > development is almost nonexistent, and the usage information is very
> > lacking. For example there are no details about how to use Veyon, or
> > squidguard, etc. So, this would also require adding some more details to
> > the docs, that are already missing.
>
> I dont see why you need to change the format to add this information
> to the docs.
>
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/Documentation/Bookworm/ - it's a wiki,
> please add those infos there.
>

It is difficult to make even small changes to a wiki editor (on the
browser). The difficulty increases with the size of the pages. It becomes a
nightmare if you want to reorganize the docs.

But I am sure that you can find people that are willing to work for
improving the docs in the existing system, if they are paid a stipend from
GSoD for it.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Fwd: [Season of Docs - Announcements] Announcing Google Season of Docs 2023

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

Google Season of Docs is starting soon.
It is similar to GSoC, but the aim is improving the docs of open source
projects.
There are also some differences. For example, experienced technical writers
are expected, instead of students.

Do you think we (DebianEdu, with the help of Debian Outreach Team) can
participate?
The project goals might be:
- Migrating the DebianEdu documentation from wiki to a text based
documentation system that can be managed with Git and GitHub/GitLab. See
also Documentation as Code: https://docs-as-co.de/.
- Reorganizing the docs into Installation, Usage, and Development guides.
Right now everything is in the same manual, but the information about
development is almost nonexistent, and the usage information is very
lacking. For example there are no details about how to use Veyon, or
squidguard, etc. So, this would also require adding some more details to
the docs, that are already missing.

I do have some experience with technical writing, so I can be a possible
candidate for the technical writer. But other candidates may be considered
as well.

Regards,
Dashamir

-- Forwarded message -
From: Season of Docs - Announce 
Date: Wed, Jan 18, 2023 at 8:01 PM
Subject: [Season of Docs - Announcements] Announcing Google Season of Docs
2023
To: Season of Docs - Announce 


Google Open Source is delighted to announce Google Season of Docs
 2023!

The Google Season of Docs program supports better documentation in open
source and provides opportunities for skilled technical writers to gain
open source experience. Participating projects receive funds to create,
improve, or expand their documentation, while contributing to our knowledge
of effective metrics for evaluating open source documentation through their
shared case studies
.

About the program

Google Season of Docs allows open source organizations to apply for a grant
based on their documentation needs. If selected, the open source
organizations use their grant to hire a technical writer directly to
complete their documentation project. Organizations have up to six months
to complete their documentation project.

Participating organizations help broaden our understanding of effective
documentation practices and metrics in open source by submitting a final
case study upon completion of the program. The case study should outline
the problem the documentation project was intended to solve, what metrics
were used to judge the effectiveness of the documentation, and what the
organization learned for the future. All project case studies will be
published on the Google Season of Docs site at the end of the program.

Organizations: start your exploration engines

2023 Google Season of Docs applications open February 15, 2023. We strongly
suggest that organizations take the time to complete the steps in the
exploration
phase

before the application process begins, including:

   -

   Creating a project page to gauge community and technical writer interest
   in participating (see our project ideas page
    for
   examples)
   -

   Publicizing your interest in participating in Season of Docs through
   your project channels and adding your project to our list of interested
   projects on GitHub 
   -

   Lining up community members who are interested in mentoring or helping
   to onboard technical writers to your project
   -

   Brainstorming requirements for technical writers to work on your project
   (Will they need to be able to test code? Work with video? Have prior
   experience with your project or related technologies?)

On your mark, get set, project page!

Every Google Season of Docs project begins with a project page. Your
project page serves as an overview of your documentation project, and it
should be publicly visible. A good project page includes:

   -

   A statement of the problem your project needs to solve (“users on
   Windows don’t have clear guidance of how to install our project”)
   -

   The documentation that might solve this problem (“We want to create a
   quickstart doc and installation guide for Windows users”)
   -

   How you’ll measure the success of your documentation (“With a good
   quickstart, we expect to see 50% fewer issues opened about Windows
   installation problems.”)
   -

   What skills your technical writer would need (break down into “must
   have” and “nice to have” categories. “Must have: access Windows machine to
   test instructions”)
   -

   What volunteer help is needed from community members (“need help
   onboarding technical writer to our discussion groups”) and links to where
   the community can discuss the proposal
   -

   Most importantly, include a way for intere

Re: Google Summer of Code

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Jan 18, 2023 at 10:05 PM Dominik George 
wrote:

> > If it is so simple, then I'd like to know how it is done.
>
> Simply remove the NFS entry from the client fstab, and LTSP
> will immediately start using SSHFS.
>

Ok, this seems to be very simple indeed.
But maybe there are some other project ideas that might be suitable for
GSoC.
I don't think that everything in DebianEdu is perfect and there is no need
for improvements.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Re: Google Summer of Code

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Jan 18, 2023 at 9:41 PM Dominik George 
wrote:

>
> > Can we propose a project? For example:
> > "Replacing NFS by SSHFS or Coda File System".
>
> I don't think changing one line in a config file makes a
> reasonable GSoC project that would be accepted.
>

If it is so simple, then I'd like to know how it is done.
And I think that it should be added to the documentation too.

Kind regards,
Dashamir

Google Summer of Code

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi DebianEdu,

GSoC applications are starting in less than a week:
https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline
and I am sure that Debian will participate this year, as usual.

Can we propose a project? For example:
"Replacing NFS by SSHFS or Coda File System".
This is a project that seems interesting to me, but you can propose some
other project ideas.

For each project idea we need at least one mentor that is willing to help
and support the student during the summer. I am willing to be one of the
co-mentors, in the sense that I can help the student get familiar with
DebianEdu, and help them to build a virtual environment for development and
testing. However, for the technical details of the project, at least
another mentor is needed.

What do you think? Does it seem feasible?

Regards,
Dashamir

P.S. I have included the Debian Outreach Team in the Cc (outre...@debian.org),
which takes care of GSoC application details, among others.

What are your wishes for DebianEdu?

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

If you could change or improve something on DebianEdu (assuming that you
had enough skills, or time, or resources), what would that be?

I am starting with my wish list:
- I would decommission the custom debian installer, reorganizing
installation scripts so that everything is installed on top of a standard
debian installation.
- I would convert cfengine scripts to ansible, or even better to bash
scripting.
- I would replace NFS by SSHFS, or even better by Coda File System (which
is a caching filesystem).
- I would migrate documentation from wiki to a text based documentation
system that can be managed with Git (and GitHub/GitLab). Documentation as
Code philosophy (https://docs-as-co.de/).
- I would reorganize the docs into installation, usage, and development
parts. Right now everything is in the same manual, but the information
about development is almost nonexistent, and the usage information is very
lacking. For example there are no details about how to use Veyon, or
squidguard, etc. As a good example, the documentation of FUSS contains a
User Guide, a Technical Guide, and a Developers Guide:
+ https://fuss-user-guide.readthedocs.io/
+ https://fuss-tech-guide.readthedocs.io/
+ https://fuss-dev-guide.readthedocs.io/

Maybe there are other things that don't come to my mind right now. If I
remember later I will write again.

I hope that this is a beneficial, and not a controversial, discussion topic
(since people may have different opinions and preferences).

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: 15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 2:11 PM Dashamir Hoxha  wrote:

>
> We are meeting next Wednesday, November 2⋅10:00 – 11:00am, at
> https://bbb.fs.al/b/das-ozt-lfk-nkr
>

Here is the record of the meeting:
-
https://bbb.fs.al/playback/presentation/2.3/a349341b18540c29be864602864a6fe3e417a2db-1667380909573
- https://peertube.debian.social/w/ayG7N81wJ9xfiRJTTj6GC7
We forgot to press the record button right from the beginning, so a small
part of the conversation was not recorded.

Here is also a terminal recording with asciinema:
https://asciinema.org/a/nsfnAH1BZCIdrK2PdY26w4Wka
It has no audio, but you can do copy/paste easily, so it is a nice
complement of the recording above.

Thanks Mike, for your time and for sharing your knowledge and skills.

When I find time, I will go over this recording again and try to reproduce
the steps for installing a dedicated storage server. If I succeed, I am
going to update the docs with the correct instructions. However it seems a
bit messy and actually I did not expect it to be so difficult/complicated.

If we ever make any other hacking sessions again, then I would like to try:
- Replacing NFS by SSHFS
- Replacing NFS by Coda File System
- How to use Veyon and AlekSIS

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: 15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Nov 2, 2022 at 9:15 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> I will not be available before 10:30 for this session. So, we need to
> start 30min later than planned.
>
> Hope that works for everyone!
>

It is fine for me.

Dashamir

Re: debian-edu-ltsp-install problem

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 8:55 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> Hi Dashamir,
>
> On  Mi 26 Okt 2022 23:12:28 CEST, Mike Gabriel wrote:
>
> > Packages: debian-edu-config
> > Version: 2.12.24
>
> I just realized my typo in above lines. It must read "Package:
> debian-edu-config", not "Packages:"... If you already sent the bug
> report, please re-send it with the typo removed from the header.
>

But I think it has been fixed already, what's the point of creating a bug
report?

Besides, from my experience, when I report a problem and the developers ask
me to file a bug report, it usually means that they don't want to fix it,
otherwise they could have just fixed it or created a bug report themselves.

Dashamir

Re: 15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 9:18 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> @list: I have sent possible dates to Dashamir, so we can meet
> online/live next week.
>

We are meeting next Wednesday, November 2⋅10:00 – 11:00am, at
https://bbb.fs.al/b/das-ozt-lfk-nkr

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=XzZvcGphb2ozNjRvMzZiYjI2NHNqMGI5azYxaW04YjlwNzFoajBiOWljZGozZWU5a2NwaDY2ZTltNzQgZGFzaG9ob3hoYUBt&tmsrc=dashohoxha%40gmail.com

If someone else is interested and available at that time, you are welcome
to join.

Dashamir

Re: 15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Mon, Oct 17, 2022 at 12:33 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> Please start from the minimal profile and then mimick the NFS setup
> (and Samba, if you need that) as found on TJENER.
>

Which part of the configuration scripts does this?
Maybe we can just follow the steps there

Things are not that easy anymore today, as you also need to set up
> correct Kerberos access and host+service principals. So, basically,
> you need to look for NFSv4+Krb5 setup tutorials on the internet and
> with their help mimick the setup on TJENER.
>

I couldn't find any suitable tutorials. Most of them are a bit old or
outdated, or Fedora specific, etc.

This might include an LDAP autofs entry for the new fileserver, as
> well, I am not sure.
>
> > Or maybe I can just start from a standard Debian installation and try to
> > follow any tutorials on the internet about installing NFS, Samba, etc.
>
> No, don't start with a standard Debian, start with Debian Edu minimal
> profile.
>
> > Do you have any suggestions about this?
>
> After my vacation we could do a live hacking session and I'll try to
> do a setup, you record the session and turn it into documentation.
>

Looking forward to it.

Greets,
> Mike
> --
>
> DAS-NETZWERKTEAM
> c\o Technik- und Ökologiezentrum Eckernförde
> Mike Gabriel, Marienthaler Str. 17, 24340 Eckernförde
> mobile: +49 (1520) 1976 148
> landline: +49 (4351) 850 8940
>
> GnuPG Fingerprint: 9BFB AEE8 6C0A A5FF BF22  0782 9AF4 6B30 2577 1B31
> mail: mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de, http://das-netzwerkteam.de
>
>

Bug#1008602: Thic client (X2Go) workaround

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 5:54 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> > Is there no way for the NX-based X2Go to handle compositing properly?
> > I think this should be the real fix.
>
> Nope. That is a won't fix. Compositing decreases performance by many
> (milli)seconds (latency) per round trip. Compositing is for local
> hardware, not for remote connections.
>

Maybe you are right. I am not an expert on these issues (I don't even know
what "compositing" is).
It just seems to me that RDP is doing fine with it (at least I don't notice
any issues), but maybe it is a wrong perception.

Bug#1008602: Thic client (X2Go) workaround

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 2:41 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> But the real fix would be: XFCE4 recognizes that it is running in an
> NX-based X2Go session and disables compositing automatically.
>

Is there no way for the NX-based X2Go to handle compositing properly?
I think this should be the real fix.

Re: Thic client (X2Go) workaround

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 11:29 PM Juri Grabowski  wrote:

>
> To turn off globally (can be overridden by user), I created:
> /etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfwm4.xml  with this added:
>
> 
>
> 
>   
> 
>   
> 
>

I tested this and it works for me.
But only for the users that make the first login after this configuration
is done. For the users that already made the first login, it seems like the
old settings have been cached somehow and this does not fix it.

However it should be possible to write a simple script that edits
`.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfwm4.xml` on each user account
and modifies this setting ("use_compositing").

debian-edu-ltsp-install problem

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

When I try to create the image for a mini-desktop thin client, with the
command:

`debian-edu-ltsp-install --thin_type desktop`

I get this error message:

"E: Unable to locate package firefox-esr-l10n-en"

I fixed this error by modifying `/usr/sbin/debian-edu-ltsp-install` like
this:


-- /usr/sbin/debian-edu-ltsp-install   2022-10-25 23:02:53.79200 -0400
+++ /usr/sbin/debian-edu-ltsp-install-1 2022-10-26 00:22:05.96000 -0400
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@
if [ "desktop" == "$thin_type" ] ; then
chroot /srv/ltsp/x2go-"$thin_type"-"$arch"/ apt -y -qq
install x2gothinclient-minidesktop \
x2gothinclient-cdmanager x2gothinclient-usbmount \
-   firefox-esr-l10n-"$LANGCODE"
+   firefox-esr-l10n-all remmina
fi
if [ "true" == "$BD_ISO" ] ; then
umount /srv/ltsp/x2go-"$thin_type"-"$arch"/media/cdrom


Besides the package `firefox-esr-l10n-all` I also install `remmina`, as an
alternative thin client (`xrdp` and `xorgxrdp` are already installed by
default on the main server).

Regards,
Dashamir

Thic client (X2Go) workaround

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The docs describe a workaround for X2Go display artefacts:

"Since Thin clients use X2Go, users should disable compositing to avoid
display artefacts. In the default case (Xfce desktop environment): Settings
-> Window Manager Tweaks -> Compositor."

This needs to be done by each user on his desktop. In my opinion this is
too much.
Is it possible somehow to set this configuration automatically for all the
users? What about the other desktops?

In my opinion, a better workaround might be to replace x2goclient by
remmina (RDP client). But I am not sure how to do it properly.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Testing DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 7:35 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> We still need to schedule a meeting for an
> online session. What's your timezone? (mine is CE(S)T, UTC+2/UTC+1
> starting from end of Oct).
>

My timezone is the same as yours.

> You can try to containerize GOsa², but this will not be a solution for
> >> the Debian Edu 12 release.
> >>
> >
> > I have no need or intention for doing that, I was just discussing it as a
> > possible solution for DebianEdu.
>
> As said, it could be a solution for some on-premise installation. But
> it is not a solution for the GNU/Linux distribution variant Debian
> Edu/Skolelinux (as it will conflict with Debian policy).
>

I may try to containerize GOsa, when I find time, but since it seems to be
unmaintained, it might be better to give a try to AlekSIS or Puavo Web (
https://puavo.org/, https://github.com/puavo-org/puavo-web). I am not sure
however how these three compare with each-other in terms of functionality.
I'd prefer the one with the best functionality, despite any other problems
that it may have.
Are there any other solutions that I am not aware of?

Let me know about your availability, I can be available during CET
> working hours (9am-17pm) the coming week (except Monday).


My availability is almost the same as yours, so just let me know about the
time and place of the meeting.

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: 15.2.2. Easy access to USB drives and CD-ROMs/DVDs

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 7:08 PM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

>
> (1) Create the file /etc/ltsp/autofs/auto.cdrom on the LTSP server with
> this single line as content:
> /cdrom -fstype=iso9660,ro,nosuid,nodev :/dev/cdrom
>
> (2) Add this line to /etc/ltsp/autofs/extra.autofs:
> /- /etc/auto.cdrom --mode=0777 --timeout=3
>
> (3) Add cdrom export (adjust one line) in
> /etc/ltsp/skel/.x2goclient/sessions:
> export="/usb0:1;/cdrom:1;"
>
> (4) Run 'debian-edu-ltsp-initrd' for the changes to take effect for the
> next start of a thin client.
>

I have tested these instructions. They work very well.
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_automount_cdrom_on_thin_clients

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: Testing DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Oct 25, 2022 at 9:16 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> Locking yourself out by personal attitude is not helpful here. Please
> reconsider your position.
>
> Saying it once more, 90% of developer coordination is done on
> #debian-edu IRC (OFTC).
>

You promised to help me with solving a couple of issues. Are you using the
IRC issue as an excuse to decline?
I am fine in the 10% that don't use IRC. I don't want to start a religious
war about IRC. At least not here, not now.

Indeed. I am currently working on getting GOsa fixed with PHP 8.x.
> Keep your thumbs pressed.
>

Good to know. This is indeed the best solution. Good luck.

You can try to containerize GOsa², but this will not be a solution for
> the Debian Edu 12 release.
>

I have no need or intention for doing that, I was just discussing it as a
possible solution for DebianEdu.

Thanks for your feedback on the other issues as well.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Getting started with DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Oct 25, 2022 at 12:43 AM Holger Levsen 
wrote:

>
> these are quite some many questions ;) I can definitly answer the first one
> for me, 1:22h is too long ;-D
>
> And then, for the next questions, I guess I'm not the right audience.
> (Though honestly, the length made me stop it after a minute :/
>
> I definitly dont think it's useless! I definitly think there's an audience
> for tutorial videos about Debian Edu, i just know -edu well & don't like
> video tutorials cause I prefer to read stuff, so I stopped watching as I
> did. (:/)
>

Thanks for your comments. Criticism is better than no answer at all
(because I know after all that my work is not perfect).
However don't expect me to take your suggestions seriously if you did not
even watch the video. (:/)

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Testing DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Oct 25, 2022 at 12:24 AM Holger Levsen 
wrote:

> I should ask you, whether you know about
> IRC and the #debian-edu channel on irc.debian.org?
>

I know about IRC, but I am against using it, in principle. It never worked
for me in the past anyway.
Maybe you want to tell me something which you cannot share in the public,
but I'd like to rely only on the information that is available publicly.
Otherwise I don't  see how IRC can be more useful or effective, compared to
other means of communication. With email you have at least the opportunity
to answer months later (after your vacations are over).

> Do you think we should use bookworm?
>
> well, yes, no, maybe ;D
>
> If you are not familar with Debian Edu it's definitly better to first make
> you familar with it, using a stable release.
>


> Currently Debian Edu Bookworm is broken though, because of
> https://bugs.debian.org/1003694
> "gosa: completly broken in bookworm, breaking debian-edu"
>

This is a strong reason not to use bookwork for learning/training. I found
it difficult even when everything works correctly (in bullseye); with a
broken gosa it would have been impossible for me to learn how to use it.

Fixing that requires someone knowing how to port PHP apps from php 7.4
> to 8.x - do you happen to know someone who knows how to do that or has
> time and skills to learn this? ;)
>

Maybe this can be a good project for GSoC. Debian participates there
regularly, so it is almost guaranteed that this project would be accepted.

As a workaround, is it possible to install in debian-edu the php7.4,
instead of the latest one (or besides it)? This would allow GOsa to work,
until it is fixed.

I have to install many web applications on my server and they all have
conflicting requirements about the tools that they use and their versions
(for example one of them needs php7.4 and another needs php8.x). For this
reason I install each of them in a Docker container, so that they can be
isolated from each-other, and they don't step on the toes of each-other.
I am not sure whether using Docker containers in DebianEdu is an option. If
it was, I might try to containerize GOsa, so that its old dependencies
don't affect the rest of the system.

Regards,
Dashamir

Getting started with DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I have published a screen recording that shows how to get started with
DebianEdu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHrmBl7d20
Please let me know your objections. Is it too long? Is it boring? Is it low
quality of recording? Is the explanation not clear and confusing? Is it
useless?

Regards,
Dashamir

Sharing home directories

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

There are hints in the LTSP docs that it is using SSHFS by default (instead
of NFS) for sharing user accounts with the clients:
- https://ltsp.org/
- https://ltsp.org/man/ltsp-nfs/
This makes sense because it is more secure than NFS, and maybe has other
nice features as well.

However I think that DebianEdu is using NFS instead (correct me if I am
wrong). Would it be too difficult to switch to SSHFS? This might be a nice
"Google Summer of Code" project.

Even better would be to use the Coda File System:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coda_(file_system)
It is a caching filesystem and would be very useful for Workstations and
Roaming Workstations, to reduce the network traffic and to allow offline
working (when the network is not working, or when you are outside the
school network).

It is supported by the Linux kernel (maybe it needs to be enabled), but the
problem is that it does not seem to be packaged by Debian (the laptops need
a client that is called Venus). Also I cannot find any recent articles that
show how to use it.

What do you think about this?

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Using Veyon

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 8:22 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> Yes, I have used that on Debian Edu. Works as expected. Esp. the LDAP
> access for obtaining classrooms (ipHost objects) is a nice feature.
>

Maybe you can show me how to set it up properly, when we meet.
I have no doubts that it works, but it is not obvious (to me) how to
configure it, even after reading its docs.

By the way, we can set up an appointment here (starting from Monday,
because this weekend I am not free):
https://cloud.fs.al/index.php/apps/appointments/pub/vonuKROv6Zom0efsSWE%3D/form

For a customer, I will set up epoptes on Debian Edu in the coming
> weeks. I heard that the setup is easier to get started with. Also
> Epoptes and LTSP are partner projects, so both have code to be aware
> of one another.
>

I have tested it somehow, and I have written some instructions here:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_install_epoptes
There are also some extra instructions in its docs, which I have not messed
with:
https://epoptes.org/documentation/run-fat/

Epoptes seems indeed easier than Veyon, to start with, but it is not as
flexible as it.
It works best (with minimal setup) when the teacher is using the desktop of
the LTSP server.
We can test and discuss it when we meet.

Dashamir

Using Veyon

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

Has anyone tried to use Veyon on a DebianEdu network?
https://docs.veyon.io/en/latest/

It has support for LDAP and command line configuration, so it seems like it
should be possible to integrate very well with DebianEdu.
However I am not able to figure out how to do it properly.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: 15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Mon, Oct 17, 2022 at 12:33 AM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> After my vacation we could do a live hacking session and I'll try to
> do a setup, you record the session and turn it into documentation.
>

This would be great. Please let me know when you have time for it.
Your other suggestions are also insightful. I may give them a try on my own.
Thanks Mike.

Dashamir

Re: 15.2.2. Easy access to USB drives and CD-ROMs/DVDs

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 7:08 PM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-10-15 ]
> > On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 12:11 PM Wolfgang Schweer 
> wrote:
> >
> > > [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-10-14 ]
> > > > It still doesn't work for me. I am testing by attaching a cdrom (a
> > > > virtual one).
> > >
> > > It's only for USB mass storage devices, just like the label is telling
> > > the user.
> > >
> >
> > Does it do autodetect and automount, or the device should be attached
> > before the thin client is booted?
>
> autofs; so autodetect and automount
>
> > I am curious to see the code that implements this feature.
>
> All LTSP related configuration including the x2goclient one is contained
> in the /usr/sbin/debian-edu-ltsp-install script. So local admins can
> copy this file to the /usr/local/sbin directory and modify the script to
> site specific needs.
>
> If you want to add CDROM support to your existing LTSP setup for
> whatever reason (IMO it doesn't make much sense on thin clients):
>

I am running DebianEdu on virtual machines, on a cloud server.
I know how to attach a virtual CDROM device (for example the installation
iso), but I don't know how to attach a virtual USB device.
So, I don't want to add CDROM support, I am just trying to test this
feature, make sure that the documentation is accurate, etc.

(1) Create the file /etc/ltsp/autofs/auto.cdrom on the LTSP server with
> this single line as content:
> /cdrom -fstype=iso9660,ro,nosuid,nodev :/dev/cdrom
>
> (2) Add this line to /etc/ltsp/autofs/extra.autofs:
> /- /etc/auto.cdrom --mode=0777 --timeout=3
>
> (3) Add cdrom export (adjust one line) in
> /etc/ltsp/skel/.x2goclient/sessions:
> export="/usb0:1;/cdrom:1;"
>
> (4) Run 'debian-edu-ltsp-initrd' for the changes to take effect for the
> next start of a thin client.
>

Thanks for your detailed instructions. I may give them a try soon. But I
don't see how SSHFS is exported and mounted.

Dashamir

Squid_LDAP_Authentication

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I was curious about testing squid authentication with LDAP:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/Squid_LDAP_Authentication

This piece of docs is more than 17 years old, so you can't expect it to
work today. I tried to fix a couple of obvious problems (the names of squid
tools have changed), but the structure of the LDAP directory seems to have
changed as well. Fixing it goes beyond my skills because I am not a squid
and LDAP expert.

If somebody knows how to fix it, please let me know.

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: 15.2.2. Easy access to USB drives and CD-ROMs/DVDs

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 12:11 PM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-10-14 ]
> > On Fri, Oct 14, 2022 at 7:00 PM Wolfgang Schweer 
> wrote:
> >
> > > [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-10-14 ]
> > > > - Attaching a removable media on a thin client (X2Go), does not make
> it
> > > > accessible from the thin client.
> > >
> > > Well, it does. Just doubleclick the network-disk icon on the Xfce
> > > desktop. IIRC it is labeled _usb0(sshfs-disk) or similar. Since the
> user
> > > is working on the LTSP server, the USB medium is a network disk
> attached
> > > to the thin client and accessed via SSHFS.
> > >
> >
> > It still doesn't work for me. I am testing by attaching a cdrom (a
> virtual
> > one).
>
> It's only for USB mass storage devices, just like the label is telling
> the user.
>

Does it do autodetect and automount, or the device should be attached
before the thin client is booted?
I am curious to see the code that implements this feature.

Wolfgang
>

15.3. Use a dedicated storage server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I am trying to build a simple dedicated storage server (NAS), just for
testing the setup that is explained on this section:
https://jenkins.debian.net/userContent/debian-edu-doc/debian-edu-doc-en/debian-edu-bullseye-manual.html#idm1834

I guess that one way might be to start by installing the "Minimal" profile,
and then I can set up NFS, Samba, etc. But I am not sure how to do this.

Or maybe I can just start from a standard Debian installation and try to
follow any tutorials on the internet about installing NFS, Samba, etc.

Do you have any suggestions about this?

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: 15.2.2. Easy access to USB drives and CD-ROMs/DVDs

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Oct 14, 2022 at 7:00 PM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-10-14 ]
> > - Attaching a removable media on a thin client (X2Go), does not make it
> > accessible from the thin client.
>
> Well, it does. Just doubleclick the network-disk icon on the Xfce
> desktop. IIRC it is labeled _usb0(sshfs-disk) or similar. Since the user
> is working on the LTSP server, the USB medium is a network disk attached
> to the thin client and accessed via SSHFS.
>

It still doesn't work for me. I am testing by attaching a cdrom (a virtual
one).
When I connect it to the main server, it can be accessed from the thin
clients as well.
But when I connect it to the thin client machine, I don't see how to
access it.
Maybe I am missing something.

Dashamir

15.2.2. Easy access to USB drives and CD-ROMs/DVDs

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The manual section about removable media seems to be a bit confusing (or
maybe outdated).

What I experience in my tests is this:
- Attaching a removable media on the main server makes it accessible both
from the main server and from the thin clients (X2Go), but not from the
diskless clients.
- Attaching a removable media to a diskless client makes it accessible only
from the diskless clients.
- Attaching a removable media on a thin client (X2Go), does not make it
accessible from the thin client.

I think that all these observations make sense, if we know that a thin
client is just a remote display on the main server, and a diskless client
is only accessing the disk of the main server remotely, but otherwise it is
running as an independent system.

Regards,
Dashamir

DebianEdu Training: First meeting

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The first meeting is today. If the time is suitable for you, I'd invite you
to participate, even if you know everything about DebianEdu. At least you
can learn how to test DebianEdu with LXD, participate in discussions, help
me in explaining things properly and correctly, etc.

When: Friday, 14 October, 6:30 PM » 8:00 PM (UTC+2)

Where: BBB room 
Topics:

   - Install main-server.
  - Open GOsa and add manually a test user.
  - Test an LTSP diskless client (on the LTSP network).
  - Test an LTSP diskless client (on the main network).
  - Test a thin (X2Go) client.
  - Import user accounts from a CSV file.
  - Import student accounts in a certain division/subdirectory.

Regards,
Dashamir

Backup Management

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The backup management seems a bit outdated to me:
https://jenkins.debian.net/userContent/debian-edu-doc/debian-edu-doc-en/debian-edu-bullseye-manual.html#idm1268

Not only the docs, but also the tools. For example, in order to be able to
login at the web interface: https://www/slbackup-php, you have to enable
root login with password on the main-server, which is not recommended for
security reasons. I would suggest dropping slbackup-php from DebianEdu. The
docs can explain instead how to manage the backups from the command line,
especially since the backup system is actually based on rdiff-backup.

It is also not clear how to store backups on a remote host. I managed
somehow to find a way, by setting up a passwordless SSH login to the backup
server (details here:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_remote_backup).
But it is not documented and it is not obvious at all.

I wonder what people (managers of DebianEdu) do to handle backups. Do you
use any other tools, besides rdiff-backup and slbackup? I have also seen
some old recommendations for using Backup PC:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/BackupPC
However, BackupPC seems a bit outdated too. Has anyone tried BorgBackup (
https://borgbackup.readthedocs.io/en/stable/quickstart.html) or something
else?

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Separate LTSP server issues

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Oct 8, 2022 at 7:12 PM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

>
> > Maybe those error messages make some sense to you.
>
> They do. It seems that the LXQt desktop environment is used. The
> preferred LXQt network manager tool ConnMan tries to bring up the
> network interfaces, but doesn't succeed.
>
> Consider to replace ConnMan with a more common tool:
> apt install network-manager-gnome -y
> apt purge connman -y
> service networking restart (or reboot the system)
>
> Then rebuild the image:
> debian-edu-ltsp-install --diskless_workstation yes
>

It worked. Thanks a lot, I would not have been able to solve it on my own.
So, LXQt seems to be a bit unstable (although it looks quite pretty, in my
opinion).
With other desktops most probably there are no problems.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Bug#1021414: debian-edu-config: Wrong DHCP configuration on separate LTSP server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Oct 8, 2022 at 12:33 AM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> Source: debian-edu-config
> Version: 2.11.56+deb11u4
> Severity: normal
>
> On a separate LTSP server the DHCP service fails to start after stopping
> it. This is caused by a wrong Requires statement in the systemd unit
> file. Instead of slapd.service, nslcd.service is required:
>

Thank you Wolfgang. This was a very quick fix.
I tried this patch and it solves the problem of the iPXE boot menu failing
to start.
Now I see some other problems, when trying to boot an LTSP diskless client
from a separate LTSP server:
https://peertube.debian.social/w/3vvhM6F3ipEJZ9VHiZ6v95

The only command that I have executed on the LTSP server, after installing
it and connecting it to the main server (GOsa), is:
debian-edu-ltsp-install --diskless_workstation yes

Maybe those error messages make some sense to you.

Regards,
Dashamir

DebianEdu Training

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The online course is starting next week:
https://events.fs.al/event/5/

Register and share it with your friends, if you find it interesting.

Regards,
Dashamir

Separate LTSP server

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I am trying to test a separate LTSP server:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_separate_ltsp_server

I install it the same way as a Workstation is installed, except that I
select the "LTSP Server" profile during installation. Then I register it in
GOsa the same way as a Workstation. These are hinted here and there in the
docs.

The docs also suggest in several places that for a separate LTSP server we
need to do some manual steps after installation, but these steps are not
explained explicitly and clearly anywhere. I have tried these two
commands:

debian-edu-ltsp-install --diskless_workstation yes
debian-edu-pxeinstall

But it doesn't work.
Can someone help with this?

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: Online training about DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Oct 6, 2022 at 1:43 PM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

> > 4. Forth meeting
> >
> >- Some topics related to the development of DebianEdu.
> >   -
>
> Perhaps cover where to track known bugs, how to reach the developers,
> how to report bugs, where to find the source, and how to ask good
> questions?
>

Maybe I did not explain myself properly, but I was hoping for some
collaboration. I mean, someone that is familiar with the development of
DebianEdu explains it, demonstrates anything (if possible), answers any
questions, etc. I wouldn't be able to do it properly, because I am not
involved in development.

Anyway, I can exclude the development part from this course, if no one can
do it. Maybe there should be a separate course to cover all the development
details.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Online training about DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 7:57 AM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

> [Dashamir Hoxha]
> > Hi,
> >
> > I am going to start soon an online training about DebianEdu, most
> probably
> > on Oct 15:
> > - Course description: https://ocw.fs.al/mod/page/view.php?id=1198
> > - Course outline: https://ocw.fs.al/mod/page/view.php?id=1199
>
> The pages seem to require registration or login to get access, and thus
> unreadable for those that do not want to submit personal information to
>

There is a button at the end "LOG IN AS A GUEST", which allows to read the
content. Standard Moodle feature.


> the site.  It might make the reader count smaller than you want it to
> be.  Perhaps better to post the content in an email here?
>

I have attached it as a PDF.
Pasted it below as text.


In this course we will learn how to install and maintain DebianEdu. We are
going to install it on a virtual environment on the cloud, so that we see
all the needed steps. We are going to install a main server combined with
LTSP, then we are going to test diskless clients, thin clients,
workstations, roaming workstations, etc. We will see how to import a list
of users from a CSV file, how to backup the server, etc.

1. First meeting

   - Install main-server.
  - Open GOsa and add manually a test user.
  - Test an LTSP diskless client (on the LTSP network).
  - Test an LTSP diskless client (on the main network).
  - Test a thin (X2Go) client.
  - Import user accounts from a CSV file.
  - Import student accounts in a certain division/subdirectory.


2. Second meeting

   - Update the main server.
  - Disable the cache (squid) for apt.
  - Install a workstation.
  - Install and test a roaming workstation.
  - Install a separate LTSP server, and test a client in its network.
  - Modify the iPXE boot menu.
  - Install a workstation with a different desktop.
  - Add another thin client type.


3. Third meeting

   - Use a dedicated storage server.
  - Backup management.
  - Server monitoring.
  - Other administration topics.
  - How to use Epoptes, Veyon, Squidguard, e2guardian.
  - Using internal email.


4. Forth meeting

   - Some topics related to the development of DebianEdu.
  -


DA17_ Outline.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document

Online training about DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I am going to start soon an online training about DebianEdu, most probably
on Oct 15:
- Course description: https://ocw.fs.al/mod/page/view.php?id=1198
- Course outline: https://ocw.fs.al/mod/page/view.php?id=1199

The last lesson is about some development topics. Can someone help with
this part? Or should I leave it out of this course? Any other suggestions
about the topics/outline?

Thanks,
Dashamir

Editing boot options

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

The manual says that we should press TAB in order to edit a boot menu entry
(for example to change the default desktop):
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/Documentation/Bullseye/Installation#Installation_types_and_options

However this doesn't work with GRUB. I have to press "e" in order to do
this. Maybe TAB worked in an earlier version of GRUB, but not now.

The same with editing an iPXE boot menu entry. The manual suggests pressing
TAB in order to change the default desktop:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/Documentation/Bullseye/Installation#Installation_and_booting_over_the_network_via_PXE
But it doesn't work for me.
See also: https://forum.ipxe.org/showthread.php?tid=8129

Maybe the manual should be updated on these places.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Testing DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Sep 30, 2022 at 6:33 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

> Hi Dashamir,
>
> On Wed, Sep 14, 2022 at 09:12:49AM +0200, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
> > To discuss these (possible testing scenarios), we are planning another
> > meeting, next Tuesday (Sep 20), at 13:30 UTC (15:30 GMT+2). We would
> > appreciate it if some DebianEdu experienced guys join and help us. If you
> > are interested please let me know. You can join even if you are just
> > curious, that's fine.
>
> where/how do you meet?
>

Next meeting is at: https://bbb.fs.al/b/das-ozt-lfk-nkr
on "Mon Oct 03, 2022 13:30 UTC" (or 15:30 CEST)
date --date="Mon Oct 03, 2022 13:30 UTC"
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=DebianEdu+testing&iso=20221003T1330&p1=%3A&ah=2

and, are you testing Debian Edu bullseye or bookworm?
>

bullseye

The aim of this testing is to get used with DebianEdu, and to teach an
online course about it (which is going to be announced soon). So, I guess
that the latest stable version is more suitable.
Do you think we should use bookworm?

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Thin client desktop

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Sep 29, 2022 at 9:57 AM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> [ Dashamir Hoxha, 2022-09-27 ]
> > >From the tests that I have done with thin clients (X2Go), I get some
> > problems on the display, like those shown on the attached screenshot. I
> > don't see this problem with diskless clients etc.
>
> Those artefacts are a known issue, see:
> https://bugs.debian.org/1008602


So, it is an X2Go problem. Thanks for letting me know.

By the way, besides x2go, I also have used xrdp for remote access, and it
seems to work very well. Have you ever tried it?

On the server you need to install "xrdp" and "xorgxrdp":  `apt install xrdp
xorgxrdp`
On the client side you need "remina" or anything else that can use the RDP
protocol.
It is also demonstrated here:
https://peertube.debian.social/w/gpVkreH3CUXGfLd45c7ULt

Dashamir

Testing debian-edu with lxd (2)

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Testing DebianEdu in a virtual environment built with LXC/LXD:

https://peertube.debian.social/w/vphdeVRcfSfDGfBFMPHxDJ

In this session we test installing a workstation and connecting it to the
main server. Then we also try bulk user account creation by uploading a CSV
file in GOsa. We test as well a Roaming Workstation (laptop), which can be
used by a teacher (or student) both at the school network and at home
network.

Thanks to Claudio Carboncini for his help and support.

Enjoy,
Dashamir

Re: Home directory of roaming workstations

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 9:01 PM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

> [Dashamir Hoxha]
> > Is it supposed to work like this?
>
> Yes.  It ensure a home directory always is available, even if the
> machine is offline.
>

Thanks Peter.
It seems like a local account, so I don't understand what are the benefits
of using a cached account, instead of a local account.
Anyway, it must have been useful somehow, otherwise it would not have been
there.

Dashamir

Re: Thin client desktop

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 3:33 PM Dashamir Hoxha  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> From the tests that I have done with thin clients (X2Go), I get some
> problems on the display, like those shown on the attached screenshot. I
> don't see this problem with diskless clients etc.
>

This problem can also be noticed on this recorded video:
https://peertube.debian.social/w/cqoaQGA7WwfHfrx7xJZeRc?start=1h6m35s

I am testing on a virtual environment, so the display of the VMs goes
> through SPICE, X2Go and Xpra, so I am not sure if the same problem happens
> in a real thin client as well.
> If not, then everything is ok and there is nothing to worry about.
> Can someone confirm that it works correctly on an X2Go thin client?
>
> Regards,
> Dashamir
>

Thin client desktop

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

>From the tests that I have done with thin clients (X2Go), I get some
problems on the display, like those shown on the attached screenshot. I
don't see this problem with diskless clients etc.

I am testing on a virtual environment, so the display of the VMs goes
through SPICE, X2Go and Xpra, so I am not sure if the same problem happens
in a real thin client as well.
If not, then everything is ok and there is nothing to worry about.
Can someone confirm that it works correctly on an X2Go thin client?

Regards,
Dashamir

Home directory of roaming workstations

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I have been testing Roaming Workstations:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_test_a_roaming_workstation

The login works in a network that is different from the network of the
school, but the home directory is a local one (on the workstation). So, if
the same user logs in from an LTSP client, or from a normal Workstation, he
will be accessing a home directory that is on the server, which is a
different one from the home directory on the laptop (Roaming Workstation).

Is it supposed to work like this? Or is there something wrong?
A better approach might have been to use a Wireguard VPN for accessing the
school network, and the central home directory.

Regards,
Dashamir

Testing DebianEdu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

We had a meeting recently (me Claudio, Suman, and some other guys) where I
showed how I test DebianEdu with LXD. I just published the recorded demo
here:
 - https://peertube.debian.social/w/cqoaQGA7WwfHfrx7xJZeRc
I show how to build the virtual networking, and then how to install the
main-server, and how to start diskless clients and thin clients.

I'd like to organize a training about DebianEdu (online), but I am not sure
what other scenarios to include (besides installing the main-server and
starting diskless clients). I think I should show some examples of using
GOsa, but I don't have much experience with it.

To discuss these (possible testing scenarios), we are planning another
meeting, next Tuesday (Sep 20), at 13:30 UTC (15:30 GMT+2). We would
appreciate it if some DebianEdu experienced guys join and help us. If you
are interested please let me know. You can join even if you are just
curious, that's fine.

Regards,
Dashamir

How to Teach Online Courses

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I have joined the Debian Academy initiative, which is relatively new, and
to help it get started, I am organizing a training program about how to
teach online courses (since I do have some experience with such courses).
For more details see:
https://lists.debian.org/debian-project/2022/09/msg1.html

For a description of the course, other details, and for registration see:
https://events.fs.al/event/1/
The registration ends on Sep 15, and the course is planned to start on Sep
17.

By the way, after this course I am also planning to organize another one
about how to install and administrate debian-edu. I am going to demonstrate
it by doing it in a virtual environment. If someone could help to extend it
with some development details (the internals of debian-edu, the code, the
scripts etc.) which might be useful for potential developers, that would be
great. Or maybe the "development" part can be covered in a separate course.
Anyway, we will discuss more about it later.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Starting a diskless workstation on the main LAN

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 8:48 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

>
> I run LTSP fat clienst on the 10/8 network and they work well.
> However, I don't deploy a standard Debian Edu setup for diskless
> workstations, so I am rather clueless what is going wrong here.
>

Maybe it loads an image in RAM, and if the image is bigger than the size of
RAM the system is broken.
Or maybe it tries to do swapping (with a remote disk).
I don't know much details about fat-LTSP either.

I am not sure whether this problem happens only on my virtual setup, or it
happens on a real setup as well (with a 1GB RAM diskless client).

Dashamir

Re: Starting a diskless workstation on the main LAN

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 9:02 AM Petter Reinholdtsen  wrote:

> [Dashamir Hoxha]
> > Am I missing something? Or there is something wrong.
>
> Did you add the workstation to the netgroup with access to mounting home
> directories?  It might happen automaticaly over night based on
> sitesummary collected information, I am not sure how that currently
> work.
>

I saw somewhere on the docs that diskless clients on the main LAN should
work:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/TestInstallVirtualMachine
"Interestingly, you can choose to run a diskless workstation or a thin
client on the skolelinux 10.0.0.0/8 net."

So, I tested again client1 (the one on the LTSP LAN) and it was having the
same problems as client2 (the one on the main LAN). But it was working a
few days ago. I remembered (after trying a few other things) that a few
days ago I was giving 2GB RAM to the diskless client, and later I switched
to 1GB RAM. I removed the client and created it again with 2GB RAM, and it
was working again. I was lucky.

This seems a bit strange because the Xfce desktop (that I am using) should
be fine with 1GB RAM.
It brings the question what are the minimum requirements for DebianEdu (at
least just for testing).
Currently I am using 4GB RAM for the main-server, and 2GB RAM for the
diskless clients.

About your suggestion: I didn't do any configuration on the server for the
diskless clients, and I was actually expecting it to work, because I saw
somewhere on the docs (at GettingStarted) that diskless clients don't need
any configuration.

Regards,
Dashamir

Starting a diskless workstation on the main LAN

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

According to the network architecture diagram, it seems like it is possible
to start a diskless workstation that is connected to the main LAN:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/_images/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd/mainserver.png
I am calling "main LAN" the switch that is also connected to the gateway.
Secondary LANs (or LTSP LANs) are those that are behind an LTSP server.

Starting a diskless workstation on a LTSP LAN works fine, but starting it
on the main LAN doesn't work properly. It boots and seems like it is
working, but after you login it is not possible to start any application or
to open the menu.

Am I missing something? Or there is something wrong.
These are the steps that I am following:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_ltsp_clients

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: Kvm isolated network

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 11:05 AM Claudio Carboncini <
claudio.carbonc...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Il giorno sab 27 ago 2022 alle ore 13:55 Dashamir Hoxha <
> dashoho...@gmail.com> ha scritto:
>
>> By the way, why are you trying to do this virtual testing?
>>
>  I have been following debian-edu for years and liked to virtualize the
> whole network to understand and publicize the distribution.
>

Great. I am planning to organize an online training about how to install
and setup DebianEdu. Maybe in November.
I am planning to use a virtualized environment for demonstration purposes.
You can join me in organizing this course, if you wish.

Any suggestions to fixing the problem?
>>>
>> But I suspect that you have to enable masquerading on the host. There are
>> some instructions about this at the end of the wiki page.
>>
>
>  Try it, but it doesn't work
>

If you can give me access to your testing environment, I can try to help
you fix it.
Otherwise, I can give you access to my testing server, where you can repeat
all the steps (from scratch), and then we try to find out what is the
problem.
In this case I also expect from you to record (on a blog post) all the
steps that you did to build the test environment. I would prefer if you
used commands (like virsh etc.) for each step, instead of GUI tools.

Let's arrange a meeting in order to discuss in more details these issues:
https://cloud.fs.al/index.php/apps/appointments/pub/vonuKROv6Zom0efsSWE%3D/form

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Kvm isolated network

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Aug 27, 2022 at 10:33 AM Claudio Carboncini <
claudio.carbonc...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I tried to virtualize the Debian-edu network with virt-manager + Kvm
> following https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/TestCDinstall with
> debian-edu-11.3.0-amd64-BD-1.iso.
>

By the way, why are you trying to do this virtual testing?
I am also trying to do something like this, but with LXD:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html
Maybe we can collaborate somehow.

Dashamir

Re: Kvm isolated network

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Aug 27, 2022 at 10:33 AM Claudio Carboncini <
claudio.carbonc...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I tried to virtualize the Debian-edu network with virt-manager + Kvm
> following https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/TestCDinstall with
> debian-edu-11.3.0-amd64-BD-1.iso.
>

Thanks for sharing this wiki page, I didn't know about it.

The installation works, but I can't connect from 10.0.2.2 with the outside.
> The network is isolated.
>

The problems with that wiki page start here: "then run virt-manager to get
the friendly GUI to create KVM guest machines"
With the "friendly GUI" it is difficult to describe the steps in a
reproducible way. The instructions about qemu etc. (below) are much more
friendly than the "friendly GUI", in my opinion.

Any suggestions to fixing the problem?
>

It is hard to tell, without reproducible instructions, or without having
access to the test environment.
But I suspect that you have to enable masquerading on the host. There are
some instructions about this at the end of the wiki page.


> Thanks
> Claudio
> --
>
>

Re: Installing Main-Server on a basic debian system

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 8:39 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

> On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 06:55:52PM +0200, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
> > I tried to install a main-server on a basic debian system using the
> > `tools/debian-edu-bless` script:
> >
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/debian-edu-bless
>
> this sounds like you used that script directly, did you try installing
> the debian-edu-config package and then running that script?
>

Yes, I did. These are the steps that I followed:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_install_the_main_server_profile

> I have tried to find out what might be missing, but I don't have a good
> > understanding of how the Debian installer works. I suspect that these are
> > missing: `d-i/finish-install` and `tools/run-at-firstboot`:
>
> yes, they also need to be run, after installing them from the package.
>

It is not so clear how to do it, but I tried. It didn't seem to solve the
problem.

> Anybody have any ideas?
>
> which documentation are you following?
>

I am not sure which documentation I should follow.
I followed some suggestions on this mailing list:
https://lists.debian.org/debian-edu/2022/07/msg00017.html

Can we make an appointment for an online meeting? (anyone who thinks that
may be able to help):
https://cloud.fs.al/index.php/apps/appointments/pub/vonuKROv6Zom0efsSWE%3D/form

We can try to solve the issue by working together in my test environment.
This seems like a non-standard issue (nobody has experienced it before) and
it might be impossible to fix it by shooting questions and answers on a
mailing list.

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: Installing Main-Server on a basic debian system

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 7:42 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

> On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 06:55:52PM +0200, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
> > I tried to install a main-server on a basic debian system using the
> > `tools/debian-edu-bless` script:
>
> out of curiosity, why are you doing this as opposed to installing
> a main server in the first place?
>

I am trying to test DebianEdu on virtual machines, using LXD/LXC, and
starting a main-server virtual machine from a base image is much more
convenient
than installing it from a CD/DVD iso.
This has some more details:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html#_install_from_a_base_image

Besides, Debian is a system famous for being able to be bootstrapped and
installed completely from the command line. It seems more natural and
logical to install a server starting from a basic system. An installer that
simplifies a couple of steps is nice, but the first choice should be to
install from the command line. With the right scripts and tools this can be
made very simple too. With the complex installer, I think that now we are
in a situation that nobody understands anymore the full process of
installation (maybe I am wrong).

Cheers,
Dashamir

Re: Installing Main-Server on a basic debian system

[Dashamir Hoxha]

In the bugreport there is also a screenshot:
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=568836#22
-
https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?att=1;bug=568836;filename=Screenshot+at+2022-08-16+12-46-33.png;msg=22

On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 6:55 PM Dashamir Hoxha  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I tried to install a main-server on a basic debian system using the
> `tools/debian-edu-bless` script:
>
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/debian-edu-bless
>
>  The problem is that after making such an installation and trying to open
> https://www/gosa on a browser, it does not work. I can only open
> https://localhost/gosa, but this shows the GOsa setup page: "Welcome to
> the GOsa setup assistant  1/8"
>
> So, I believe that some things are not done properly by the `debian-edu-
> bless` script. In other words, the installer of the DebianEdu CD/DVD does
> some extra configurations that are not performed by the "bless" script.
>
> I have tried to find out what might be missing, but I don't have a good
> understanding of how the Debian installer works. I suspect that these are
> missing: `d-i/finish-install` and `tools/run-at-firstboot`:
> -
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/d-i/finish-install
> -
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/run-at-firstboot
>
> Anybody have any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Dashamir
>

Installing Main-Server on a basic debian system

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I tried to install a main-server on a basic debian system using the
`tools/debian-edu-bless` script:
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/debian-edu-bless

 The problem is that after making such an installation and trying to open
https://www/gosa on a browser, it does not work. I can only open
https://localhost/gosa, but this shows the GOsa setup page: "Welcome to the
GOsa setup assistant  1/8"

So, I believe that some things are not done properly by the `debian-edu-
bless` script. In other words, the installer of the DebianEdu CD/DVD does
some extra configurations that are not performed by the "bless" script.

I have tried to find out what might be missing, but I don't have a good
understanding of how the Debian installer works. I suspect that these are
missing: `d-i/finish-install` and `tools/run-at-firstboot`:
-
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/d-i/finish-install
-
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/run-at-firstboot

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks,
Dashamir

Re: google chromebooks and debian-edu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, Jul 24, 2022 at 8:01 PM Dashamir Hoxha  wrote:

>
> An option might be to install Debian on chromebooks. There was a talk
> yesterday on DebConf22, about this:
>
> https://debconf22.debconf.org/talks/87-solving-how-can-i-run-debian-on-my-chromebook-for-good/
> I hope that the recordings of the conference will be published soon.
>

I noticed that the recording of the talk is already published:
https://debconf22.debconf.org/talks/87-solving-how-can-i-run-debian-on-my-chromebook-for-good/

Re: Installing a DebianEdu server on Debian

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 7:47 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

> On Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 01:09:47PM +0200, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
> > Maybe this is not the right solution, but in any case, I guess there is
> > something that should be fixed/corrected somewhere.
>
> I think you should probably file a bug, at least if this is coming from
> a package (and not from some "random" wiki page).
>

I did not file a bug because a bug has to be reproducible (there should be
clear instructions on how to reproduce the bug).
The steps in http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-debian-edu-with-lxd.html
describe what I have done so far.
I noticed that the combination `PROFILE=Main-Server DESKTOP=none bash -x
tools/debian-edu-bless`
gives an error (the one that I have described above). however if I add the
Workstation profile, and a desktop, there is no error:
`PROFILE=Main-Server,Workstation DESKTOP=lxde bash -x
tools/debian-edu-bless`

So, the good news is that so far I have been able to install the
main-server (I hope correctly). Now I just have to read the docs and to
follow the rest of configuration and installation steps. I am going to
continue after a couple of weeks, since it seems that people are having a
vacation soon.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: google chromebooks and debian-edu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Jul 26, 2022 at 10:02 AM Petter Reinholdtsen 
wrote:

>
> It seem likely, as Google Chrome is spyware that calls home.  It is
> because of this Debian provides the chromium package where at least part
> of the spyware features are disabled.
>

Google also provides ChromiumOS, which is completely free.
https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromium-os-faq/
But it is not clear how to install it on a ChromeBook.

Dashamir

Re: google chromebooks and debian-edu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Jul 26, 2022 at 9:56 AM Paolo Dongilli  wrote:

>
> is also the use of Google Chrome generally banned regardless of the OS
> used?
>

It seems that it is possible to install Firefox, if needed:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/chromebook/

Dashamir

Re: google chromebooks and debian-edu

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sun, Jul 24, 2022 at 7:38 PM  wrote:

> hi
>
> We have in Denmark had the Danish Data Protection Authority say that due
> to gdpr provisions,
> helsingør municipality may not use googles chromebooks in school.
> personal data is too likely to be disclosed to the US authorities. fisa
> 702.
> it is said that something similar is the case for almost half of the
> Danish municipalities,
> which use chromebooks in their schools.
>
> I thought they could use skolelinux . debian-edu. is this a possibility?
> how can it be done technically?
> can you use hardware and infrastructure? are there the same educational
> systems or the like?


An option might be to install Debian on chromebooks. There was a talk
yesterday on DebConf22, about this:
https://debconf22.debconf.org/talks/87-solving-how-can-i-run-debian-on-my-chromebook-for-good/
I hope that the recordings of the conference will be published soon.

Another option might be to use chromebooks as thin clients for connecting
to a Linux server.
This can be done by installing Guacamole on the server, which can be
accessed from a browser. So, you are going to use the browser of the
chromebook as a thin client for accessing a Linux server. I know very well
how to do this (although I have never tried it on a chromebook), so you can
ask me more details if you wish.
See also this related presentation which has a demo:
https://www.sfscon.it/talks/virtual-computer-lab/

Dashamir


>
> what about operation? in denmark you have 'state it' which operates cloud
> solutions.
> is that something you can recommend, or should the municipalities or
> others do it?
>
> keld
>
>

Re: Installing a DebianEdu server on Debian

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 4:37 PM Dashamir Hoxha  wrote:

>
> E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
> + /usr/lib/education-tasks/edu-tasksel-setup teardown
> + echo 'error: installing packages failed'
> error: installing packages failed
> + exit 1
>

I got some help from someone who is not actually involved with DebianEdu.
A more descriptive error message is this:

dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of libpam-ldapd:amd64:
 libpam-ldapd:amd64 depends on nslcd (>= 0.9.0) | nslcd-2; however:
  Package nslcd is not configured yet.
  Package nslcd-2 is not installed.
  Package nslcd which provides nslcd-2 is not configured yet.

We tried some things and finally this kind of solved this problem:

First install "pynslcd": apt install pynslcd
and then try to install the minimal profile:
PROFILE=Minimal DESKTOP=none bash -x tools/debian-edu-bless
In this case the script does not complain and the installation is finished
without errors.

Maybe this is not the right solution, but in any case, I guess there is
something that should be fixed/corrected somewhere.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Installing a DebianEdu server on Debian

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Thu, Mar 3, 2022 at 10:24 PM Frans Spiesschaert <
frans.spiesscha...@yucom.be> wrote:

> Dashamir Hoxha schreef op do 03-03-2022 om 21:40 [+0100]:
>
> On Thu, Mar 3, 2022 at 8:56 PM Petter Reinholdtsen 
> wrote:
>
>
> I suspect you can adjust the recipe available from
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/HowTo/RaspberryPiWorkstation >
> to get it working, assuming the partitioning is good.
>
>
> That recipe is for installing a workstation/client, but I also want to
> install a server.
> The first step should be to install "debian-edu-config", but then it is
> not quite clear what steps to follow or what scripts to call.
>
>
> See
> https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/debian-edu-bless.
> lines 36-40.
>
> So running the command
> PROFILE=Main-Server bash -x tools/debian-edu-bless
> could be your next step.
>

This is a useful suggestion, thanks. And sorry for the belated reply.

I am trying to install a gateway, as described here:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/Documentation/Bullseye/Requirements#Internet_router
As a first step, I am trying to install the Minimal profile of DebianEdu,
to be followed by: `tools/configure-edu-gateway --firewall `

For installing the Minimal profile I am using these commands (in a minimal
debian 11 system):

apt install debian-edu-config
cd /usr/share/debian-edu-config/
PROFILE=Minimal DESKTOP=none bash -x tools/debian-edu-bless

However I get an error like this:

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
+ /usr/lib/education-tasks/edu-tasksel-setup teardown
+ echo 'error: installing packages failed'
error: installing packages failed
+ exit 1

I may try to debug it, following the steps at:
https://salsa.debian.org/debian-edu/debian-edu-config/-/blob/master/share/debian-edu-config/tools/debian-edu-bless
but it is easier to ask somebody for help.
If there is someone at DebConf, who might be able to help, I would
appreciate it if we try to fix it together.

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: DebCamp22 (from July 10th to 16th)

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Wed, Jun 1, 2022 at 12:35 PM Holger Levsen  wrote:

>
> I plan to attend the second half of DebCamp.
>

Great. Looking forward to any possible collaborations.

Re: DebCamp22 (from July 10th to 16th)

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Sat, May 28, 2022 at 6:51 PM Mike Gabriel <
mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de> wrote:

> Hi Dashamir,
>
> On  Do 26 Mai 2022 18:09:59 CEST, Dashamir Hoxha wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I am thinking about participating in DebCamp22 (from July 10th to 16th):
> >  - https://debconf22.debconf.org/about/debcamp/
> >  - https://wiki.debian.org/DebConf/22/DebCamp
> >
> > My idea is to work on installing and testing DebianEdu in a virtual
> > environment (similar to this:
> > http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-fuss-with-lxd.html). Then, trying
> to
> > fix any issues, if possible.
> >
> > It would be great if someone with some DebianEdu experience could join
> me,
> > otherwise it does not make much sense going there just to work alone
> (when
> > I could do the same thing from home, for example).
> >
> > Is anyone willing/able to join me there?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Dashamir
>
>
> This sounds like a good idea to team up at DebCamp. However, I won't
> be at DebCamp / DebConf unfortunately.
>

Thanks for your encouragement, Mike.
It might also be possible to help remotely, if you have time, during the
DebCamp week.

Maybe others?
>
> Mike
> --
>
> DAS-NETZWERKTEAM
> c\o Technik- und Ökologiezentrum Eckernförde
> Mike Gabriel, Marienthaler Str. 17, 24340 Eckernförde
> mobile: +49 (1520) 1976 148
> landline: +49 (4351) 850 8940
>
> GnuPG Fingerprint: 9BFB AEE8 6C0A A5FF BF22  0782 9AF4 6B30 2577 1B31
> mail: mike.gabr...@das-netzwerkteam.de, http://das-netzwerkteam.de
>
>

DebCamp22 (from July 10th to 16th)

[Dashamir Hoxha]

Hi,

I am thinking about participating in DebCamp22 (from July 10th to 16th):
 - https://debconf22.debconf.org/about/debcamp/
 - https://wiki.debian.org/DebConf/22/DebCamp

My idea is to work on installing and testing DebianEdu in a virtual
environment (similar to this:
http://dashohoxha.fs.al/docs/testing-fuss-with-lxd.html). Then, trying to
fix any issues, if possible.

It would be great if someone with some DebianEdu experience could join me,
otherwise it does not make much sense going there just to work alone (when
I could do the same thing from home, for example).

Is anyone willing/able to join me there?

Regards,
Dashamir

Re: Testing Debian Edu specific ISO images -- 2022-03-26

[Dashamir Hoxha]

On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 11:06 AM Wolfgang Schweer  wrote:

> Since the Debian 10 ("buster") release, also official Debian Edu
> specific ISO images are provided.
>
> At release and point release days, all Debian ISO images are built and
> tested, included the Edu ones; coordination happens on IRC (#debian-cd),
> documentation on wiki.debian.org (account required).
>
> In the past, I've tested the Debian Edu specific images but can't do
> this for the time being; it would be nice if others could step up doing
> this in the future.
>

Maybe this is a silly question, but is there any kind of automation for
testing? Or everything needs to be done manually?
Are there any specific steps that describe how to do testing properly? Are
you just testing the installation from the CD, or other things as well?

Maybe I am missing something, but I don't understand why DebianEdu needs
special ISOs. In my opinion it would be much more convenient if you start
from a basic/standard Debian system, and install DebianEdu on top of it
(with tasksel, packages, scripts, etc.)
This would also be in the Debian spirit (that you can bootstrap and install
it, without an ISO being necessary).

Regards,
Dashamir