Terry Cole wrote
[snip]Couldn't agree more. This is where Linux excels, in the back office. Security, simplicity, availability, just about any other -ability you can think of. If you mix ltsp with a powerful windows ( 2000, not 2003! ) terminal server, and old pc's for workstations, then you're providing a reliable, difficult to hack, easy to manage network that still provides the M$ tools that industry currently require. With educational discounts ( if you can ever understand the licensing schemes ), you'll deliver a workforce with the required skills to industry at a fraction of the cost. However, if they have an interest in the subject, then they will not be the brainwashed M$ clones they would otherwise be. They'll be another convert.
The positive thing is to remember the saying 'softly, softly catchee
monkey'. In other words take small bites, get good results and grow from
there. Install a Web Server, set up Intranet, Internet access and host
the schools website on the server. Set up so that Teachers can post work
for students to access from home as well as school. Set up discussionWe're following on in the footsteps of Saschas good works. Browsers at the YM are still Mozilla, which is now really useable now version 1.7 has come along and people can, with a single click of the mouse, open pdf's which are always sent from government agencies as application/octet-stream mime attachments ( a real bone of contention as mozilla handled them correctly by writing to disk, but now does the M$ trick of trying to guess from the file extension... bring back magic numbers, I say! ). We perform a weekly/on demand wipe of teaching accounts so that even if someone does manage to screw something up, it doesn't last for long. The list of advantages goes on and on!
forums, etc. Get all happy and positive on how well it all works.
Then move on to a Mail Server, etc. Look at Koha for the library system.
But support, support, support them, please. Take away the need to have
the Microsoft server products and Licenses.
Change the Browser on the workstations, and follow with small changes
over to the Linux apps.
This would still be a huge job and on going for some time. Offer heaps
of support.
It's all so simple, compared to the point and click way, and real value for money.
There was a job ad in the Press on Saturday for a network technician for a school in Chch. Needed to be able to support their Mac based network. Now, for the teaching of mainstream IT skills, is really, really silly!You must all ways be aware of No Money and working with 'Experts' at the schools.
I am not trying to stop anyone with their ideas, just take a look at the whole picture. I have had many visitors over the years looking at what I have put in place and amazed that it was done part time by 1 person. I have helped other schools install Linux as a web server because it works so great. I will support you in any way I can in this project.
Hope this is not too long.
Cheers
Terry Cole Rotorua, New Zealand mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cole.gen.nz http://www.websnz.com
$0.02
Steve
