Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 8:39 AM, Gautam John wrote: I'm currently working with a non-profit and as part of our work we run ~400 libraries across Bangalore and many more across the state. We are hopeful, if we find sponsors, of putting a computer in each library both to manage the library and as a tool for the kids to work/play with. As it stands, the computer request includes Windows XP as the OS of choice. If the hardware specifications are recent (dual core processor, 1 gb ram etc...) you could look at a virtualized instance of windows i.e. one that runs as a virtual machine within a Ubuntu installation (AFAIK, a windows XP license allows you to install it on one desktop and also another instance as a virtual machine...)... VmWare player is free (http://www.vmware.com/player)... To manage libraries there is an excellent opensource library management system called Koha (http://www.koha.org/). Basically the virtual windows instance means that even if the virtual windows gets hit by viruses, malware etc.. you can simply delete the virtual windows, and copy a backed up instance of the virtual machine and have it up and running again instantly. Much much easier to manage than having to invest in antivirus and re-installing windows etc... On the other hand, I have been using Ubuntu for a while now and am happy with it and the philosophy behind it. However, it's difficult to translate this into a meaningful argument for a project of this scale. As far as I can tell there is the price/support argument and the philosophy, which matters less than I might expect.
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
One fat (comparatively fat at least) box running xp, and multiple thin clients running citrix winframe or similar. Or hell, wyse terminals running X windows. srs
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
Thank you, all, for the suggestions. As it stands, we will install one computer per library and if BSNL get their act together, each one will have an Internet connection. However, the latter is not a given. Amongst the suggestions, a common thread, barring Eugen, is ways and methods to 'secure' XP. Surely Ubuntu would be a better bet? I was rather hoping for arguments that I could use in favour of that. But, I suppose, freedom of choice would mean giving the end user the ability to use XP or Ubuntu. Though I'm not sure we have the resources to maintain both. Cheers! -Gautam
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
Gautam John said the following on 10/12/2007 12:35: their act together, each one will have an Internet connection. However, the latter is not a given. ... suppose, freedom of choice would mean giving the end user the ability to use XP or Ubuntu. Though I'm not sure we have the resources to maintain both. If internet access is not a given, what are the computers going to be used for? Do you have any apps in mind? Edubuntu comes bundled with several apps - XP does not. Would that itself be a deciding factor? Ram
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On 10-Dec-07, at 2:05 PM, Gautam John wrote: Amongst the suggestions, a common thread, barring Eugen, is ways and methods to 'secure' XP. Surely Ubuntu would be a better bet? I was rather hoping for arguments that I could use in favour of that. But, I suppose, freedom of choice would mean giving the end user the ability to use XP or Ubuntu. Though I'm not sure we have the resources to maintain both. What are the arguments against non-Windows setups? I'd say the choice between Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Edubuntu would be a fair one.
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 2:16 PM, Ramakrishnan Sundaram [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If internet access is not a given, what are the computers going to be used for? Do you have any apps in mind? Edubuntu comes bundled with several apps - XP does not. Would that itself be a deciding factor? A primary purpose is to maintain a roster of books and track what's being read etc. Assuming internet access, we'd like to collate this data centrally. As an aside, we're currently looking for an open source library management package. The idea is also to load 'educational titles', thus far XP based, so that the kids have an adjunct to the books.
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
A primary purpose is to maintain a roster of books and track what's being read etc. Assuming internet access, we'd like to collate this data centrally. As an aside, we're currently looking for an open source library management package. The idea is also to load 'educational titles', thus far XP based, so that the kids have an adjunct to the books. Edubuntu + koha is just fine for that. Especially if there aint no internet connection
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 2:17 PM, Kiran Jonnalagadda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What are the arguments against non-Windows setups? I'd say the choice between Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Edubuntu would be a fair one. That it isn't Windows. Though I'd be happy if I could find a study that showed that it doesn't really matter to kids what the OS/apps are...
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
Suresh Ramasubramanian said the following on 10/12/2007 12:52: data centrally. As an aside, we're currently looking for an open source library management package. Edubuntu + koha is just fine for that. Yes, but Koha's a pain to setup. I tried it some time ago and gave up. Ram
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 2:37 PM, Ramakrishnan Sundaram [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes, but Koha's a pain to setup. I tried it some time ago and gave up. What did you end up using?
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 12:07 PM, Ramakrishnan Sundaram wrote: data centrally. As an aside, we're currently looking for an open source library management package. Edubuntu + koha is just fine for that. Yes, but Koha's a pain to setup. I tried it some time ago and gave up. Yeah, koha has a slight learning curve but the community support is good. You should be able to find Koha skills locally... (I am involved in a project automating parliamentary libraries in africa... and we have used Koha, as skills were available locally within african universities)
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
An organisation called L2C2 in Kolkatta contributes and implements Koha. The lead person's name is Indranil Das Gupta email id : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gautam, do contact him. On Dec 10, 2007 3:11 PM, Gautam John [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Dec 10, 2007 2:37 PM, Ramakrishnan Sundaram [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes, but Koha's a pain to setup. I tried it some time ago and gave up. What did you end up using?
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
An organisation called L2C2 in Kolkatta contributes and implements Koha. The lead person's name is Indranil Das Gupta email id : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gautam, do contact him. Indranil is a good guy - I know him from his ilug-cal days srs
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 3:22 PM, Valsa Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: An organisation called L2C2 in Kolkatta contributes and implements Koha. The lead person's name is Indranil Das Gupta email id : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gautam, do contact him. Thanks Valsa!
[silk] Open Source Evangalism
I'm currently working with a non-profit and as part of our work we run ~400 libraries across Bangalore and many more across the state. We are hopeful, if we find sponsors, of putting a computer in each library both to manage the library and as a tool for the kids to work/play with. As it stands, the computer request includes Windows XP as the OS of choice. On the other hand, I have been using Ubuntu for a while now and am happy with it and the philosophy behind it. However, it's difficult to translate this into a meaningful argument for a project of this scale. As far as I can tell there is the price/support argument and the philosophy, which matters less than I might expect. Does the list have any thoughts on ideas I can use to put forth a persuasive argument for Edubuntu as the OS of choice [1]? Cheers! -Gautam [1] So what does freedom of choice involve? Run both XP and Ubuntu-variants?
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
Does the list have any thoughts on ideas I can use to put forth a persuasive argument for Edubuntu as the OS of choice [1]? If you do put XP in there stick in as many anti spyware, malware, virus etc tools as you can, harden it some. Public library PCs tend to pick up trojans and such at an alarming rate Part of what I am working on - http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/cyb/cybersecurity/projects/botnet.html - is to reach out to NGOs providing access / ICT resources, and ensure that they provide secure ICT resources. srs
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On 10-Dec-07, at 11:11 AM, Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote: If you do put XP in there stick in as many anti spyware, malware, virus etc tools as you can, harden it some. Public library PCs tend to pick up trojans and such at an alarming rate In particular, you'll want to use Microsoft SteadyState. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/ default.mspx
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Dec 10, 2007 12:42 PM, Kiran Jonnalagadda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 10-Dec-07, at 11:11 AM, Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote: If you do put XP in there stick in as many anti spyware, malware, virus etc tools as you can, harden it some. Public library PCs tend to pick up trojans and such at an alarming rate In particular, you'll want to use Microsoft SteadyState. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/ default.mspx Bad Microsoft products seem to pick up new names like a dog picks up fleas. The last time I saw this it was called Shared PC or Public PC or some such. Cheeni
Re: [silk] Open Source Evangalism
On Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 11:09:45AM +0530, Gautam John wrote: On the other hand, I have been using Ubuntu for a while now and am happy with it and the philosophy behind it. However, it's difficult to translate this into a meaningful argument for a project of this scale. As far as I can tell there is the price/support argument and the philosophy, which matters less than I might expect. Licenses. 400 of them. Support, yes, imagine how often you would need a clean reinstall, which is a chore even if you just bring a system image. Does the list have any thoughts on ideas I can use to put forth a persuasive argument for Edubuntu as the OS of choice [1]? -- Eugen* Leitl a href=http://leitl.org;leitl/a http://leitl.org __ ICBM: 48.07100, 11.36820 http://www.ativel.com http://postbiota.org 8B29F6BE: 099D 78BA 2FD3 B014 B08A 7779 75B0 2443 8B29 F6BE
