03.23.08
Posted in CD Project, EDU-Nix at 10:44 am by Shane
The next version(s) of the EDU-Nix.org Dual Mode CD will be based on Slax 6 Technology, and I have gone and posted a bunch of .lzm modules, win32 binaries and sources for some of the more popular educational and productivity programs that will be featured in various builds of the upcoming CDs.
Currently, I envision a “Mobile Office Edition” featuring OpenOffice.org 2.3, since I am heartened by their announced plans to move towards LGPL v3 and have softened my stance somewhat ;^ ). Also on the CD will be the OpenClipart 0.18 package, as well as Scribus DTP 1.3.3.10.
Also, I am working on an overlay of what I am right now calling the “Kids” CD, but it needs a better name - it will feature KDEEDU and KDEGAMES, in addition to the KOffice Suite and many other educational Free Software titles like Childsplay, Celestia, Stellarium and perhaps GCompris, to name a few.
So, feel free to check out the uploaded individual modules that are already on the site, soon will be the first testing “overlay” - a zip file containing a preconfigured set of programs to add to a Slax 6 CD image, for testing purposes. After the testing period, and after the Slax team settles down their releases, a fully usable .iso version of the v6 Dual Mode CD will be made available as usual.
Happy Hacking.
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05.31.07
Posted in CD Project, EDU-Nix at 1:01 am by Shane
So, in recent discussions with a few of the teachers that I routinely force my CD upon, I mean users, one thing has come up time and time again: there is just too much “stuff” for non-technical users, and it can be a bit “intimidating”.
Honestly, to show how far off I was from understanding my target audience, I actually have always strived to cram as absolutely much Free Software for Public Schools into each release, believing that an abundance choice is the ultimate feature.
In response, I will be preparing a new development model for the future EDU-Nix Dual Mode CD’s, essentially adapting a Slax-like distribution method of a base CD image that provides core Desktop functionality, and a comprehensive set of modules and Windows installers for Open Source Schoolware.
Users can opt to create their own customized version of the Dual-Mode CD by downloading the base and any modules they would like, or (finally) order either customized or specialized discs.
Customized Discs:
I can work with your school or organization in order to create a customized, branded Dual-Mode or Standard Live CD that includes exactly the applications and documents that you require.
Specialized Discs:
Utility-Oriented, pre-selected “standard” configurations, beginning with an OpenOffice.org/OpenClipart CD, which is by request.
The next generation of CD’s will once again be based on Slackware (v11), using the Linux-Live 6.x script - I have not yet decided if it will be a straight Slax remaster, or a homegrown base system. All CD’s, including the Base Desktop CD, will include all sources.
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04.24.07
Posted in CD Project, EDU-Nix at 11:23 pm by Shane
Here is an account of one self-confessed “geek” fourth-grade-teacher-turned-tech-director experience with an EDUbuntu Live CD, which he describes as “a bigger deal than Windows versus Macintosh discussions”.
Every school should have TuxPaint installed on its computers, for learners of all ages. It’s powerful and free. What is holding back the implementation of software solutions like TuxPaint in many schools is not just knowledge and awareness of the availability of these tools, but a mindset that fallaciously believes schools should only run software programs that are either commercial, from Redmond, or both. Our mindsets and the mindsets of many of our leaders are holding us back in many cases more than anything else.
Tuxpaint is indeed a fantastic piece of software, and is probably the most popular software on the EDU-Nix Dual Mode CD. Head over to tuxpaint.org to check out more on the project, there are Windows, Mac OSX and Linux versions available.
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Posted in CD Project, EDU-Nix at 12:33 am by Shane
The First Dual Mode DVD Coming Soon Also
As many are aware, V.III of the dual mode CD was released in March, and shortly afterwards the first (and so far, only) bug was discovered - I did not generate a fluxbox menu for the installed packages. An updated module will be available for download shortly, as well as an updated .iso image.
The DVD version of V.III is being worked on, it will include the source code packages for the Slax live CD as well as source for all included applications. I am planning on also adding OpenOffice.org to the DVD, and will be considering additional packages - any suggestions, please let me know.
For the next CD/DVD project, I am considering returning to my Gentoo roots - or perhaps a Linux From Scratch project, and will make the actual CD creation process part of the site as a tutorial and reference.
I plan to continue to produce Slax modules of educational software titles and maintain the 3.x branch of the CD for some time, so it will remain simple for folks to create their own Slax remaster containing Open Source Schoolware.
Tentative Changelist for Upcoming 3.1 CD
- Update Fluxbox menu
- Add /source directory to skeleton (/source is empty on CD, populated on DVD)
- ?Remove GCompris Windows? (someone said it is still crippleware for Windows, I don’t have Windows so I can’t confirm this)
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12.10.06
Posted in EDU-Nix at 6:56 pm by Shane
In the next phase of reorganization, I will be moving the shane@edu-nix.org blog to www.shanecoyle.com since some of my other interests have only served to distract from the goals and accomplishments of the EDU-Nix project.
Also, the forums were pulled since they were only infesting with spam, perhaps it will be revisited at a later time. EDU-Nix.org itself may experience a little bit of downtime as I move it to a wordpress backend as well, in order to allow me to standardize on the one codebase across all of my websites.
Update 4/24 A failed partnership and some other business items ended up derailing many plans for some time, EDU-Nix.org will instead go forward as before - other organizational changes will not affect this site.
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12.03.06
Posted in EDU-Nix, EduTech at 9:57 pm by Shane
Here is a great article over at Sys-Admin, highlighting how GNU/Linux and Free Open Source Software can help K-12 institutions stretch their budgetary allowances and extend the useful life of older hardware.
From the desktop to the server room, there is a place for Linux in nearly any educational institution, large or small. The flexibility, stability, and cost savings Linux offers is compelling. With the right skills and careful planning, things that were impossible become possible, and formerly daunting tasks become simple.
The article discusses Linux in the server room, including the K12LTSP project - a project that uses a terminal server configuration to allow for all applications to run on a central server, permitting use of so-called thin clients or diskless workstations. Thin-clients are perfect for schools because they are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are reliable and immune to malicious tampering and viruses.
Also covered is the perennial topic of “Linux on the Desktop”, with the assessment being that Desktop Linux is ready to begin integrating into the educational environment, but cannot fully replace Windows yet:
Luckily for educators, Linux is ready for a large number of common desktop tasks that are seen in schools. Admittedly, there are a number of specialized educational software titles that won’t work. However, the common tasks of Web browsing, word processing, presentation creation, mind-mapping, typing practice, graphics manipulation, and page layout are all handled easily by software running on Linux.
A very positive article on the state of Linux in education, perhaps the most encouraging passage is regarding how Free and Open Source Software encourages users to modify, tweak and redistribute it, leading to even further development by empowering students and educators to become developers themselves:
Another value that Linux has brought to educators with whom I work is that for many people it helps bring the fun back into computing. After introducing Linux to people, it is not uncommon for them to show a great interest in it, usually becoming inspired by the number of things that they can do with it “out of the box”. When the wealth of software available to Linux is shown to them, people come to life with ideas. The desire to make great things available for children is strong in educators, but that desire is often stymied by the lack of quality tools. By providing affordable professional-quality tools, Linux has inspired a number of programs to be developed in educational institutions.
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11.25.06
Posted in EDU-Nix at 2:01 pm by Shane
CD III Alpha Status
As I had indicated in a previous posting, the next EDU-Nix CD plan is now to refine and update the recently released Version II CD. At present, a new CD is in early creation stages and is fairly stable - I have been running on it for days and no problems. A package listing will be found below, it is very preliminary, and subject to change.
A note on Samba, it has been removed from the next EDU-Nix CD, and I am considering the removal of OpenOffice.org as well. The removal of Samba is with great reluctance, the Samba team has produced a fantastic product and it provides much needed interoperability with Microsoft Windows networks, but the recent deal between Novell and Microsoft has cast doubts on whether one needs to license Microsoft “Intellectual Property” just to interoperate with Windows.
I have no doubts about the “cleanliness” of the code in either project, but Novell’s agreement with Microsoft in which Novell customers receive a covenant not to sue is about the murky area of patents and “IP”, not copyrighted code, and the covenant still doesn’t cover redistribution.
So, in any case, Novell has now submitted to Microsoft’s demand to pay royalties to interoperate with Windows and this project certainly cannot afford to do so, nor will it endorse Novell’s action. Yes, this hurts the usefulness and attractiveness of the EDU-Nix Dual-Mode CD offering, it is an impediment to entering the marketplace to not be able to interoperate with Windows, but it is the prudent move at this time to ensure that the project can continue.
CD III Feature Listing
Windows Software Included:
- Anagramarama
- Childsplay 0.83.0
- Tuxmath 2001.09.07
- Tuxpaint 0.9.16
- Tuxpaint Stamps 2006.10.21
- Tuxtype2 1.5.3
Software Installed in the Slax Live CD Environment:
Under the hood is the Slax Linux Live CD 5.1.8.1, updated to include KDE 3.5.5
- Anagramarama 0.2
- Celestia 1.4.1
- Childsplay 0.83.1
- Firefox 1.5.0.8
- GCompris 7.4
- Gimp 2.2.10
- KDE EDU Suite 3.5.5
- KDU Games Suite 3.5.5
- KSudoku 0.3
- Ktouch 1.5.1.5
- Mathomatic 12.1c.1
- Stellarium 0.8.2
- Tuxpaint 0.9.16
- Tuxpaint Stamps 2006.10.21
If anyone sees any applications that are out-of-date, please let me know, I try to hunt around as much as I can. Also of note is a project that was brought to my attention, AKFQuiz, a quiz making program which seems very intriguing because of all of the various interface possibilities. I will check it out, please keep the suggestions coming.
UPDATE: I have decided to pull OOO after all
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11.23.06
Posted in EDU-Nix, EduTech at 11:57 am by Shane
I have been awaiting this for some time, and today on the School-Discuss list came the announcement I was hoping for - schoolforge.net has been updated. The site is still being populated with information, but I do encourage you to stop by and have a look. Some may ask, what is SchoolForge anyway?
SchoolForge is a foundry. It is where you will find the information, the tools and materials you need to “forge” or make a school and all its parts. All free for the asking (or download), and, in the future, international in content and character, SchoolForge is not a place or an organization, but a cause, and a collection of people and projects dedicated to it: bringing quality, affordable and dependable software and teaching materials to the people who need them around the world. As such, it is not a “service” so much as it is a community focal point, which, as much as anything else, represents an opportunity to get involved in one of its aspects.
Stop on by the new schoolforge.net, let them know how the site looks and if there are any problems you may have with your particular setup (OS, browser). SchoolForge has a rich history of supporters, and a strong and diverse community as evidenced in the mailing list discussions (which I recommend signing up for).
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11.20.06
Posted in EDU-Nix, EduTech at 11:43 am by Shane
A great report came across the School-Discuss mailing list from Daniel Howard, President and CEO Georgia Open Source Education Foundation, regarding open source at the Georgia Educational Tech Conference:
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there were more sessions on Open Source than I predicted (about 15), everything from using Knoppix for fixing Win XP machines(!) to Open Source email and web filtering/security solutions for schools. Every session I attended, and mine, were nicely populated, and as we would expect, there were a lot of schools with old PCs that were not being used due to viruses, bad hard drives, etc…
All in all, a great success, and the buzz about Open Source is definitely getting out here in Georgia.
Daniel handed out CDs with Free Software to attendees, including Knoppix and the WinOSS CD-Rom.
Also, Daniel posed a query in his email which I think will really be a helpful exercise for evaluating the state of Open Source Schoolware:
If a brand new school/district came to us and asked for a complete, turnkey Open Source solution (assuming we got them a Linux consultant to integrate everything), what would we recommend?
I will be creating a section of EDU-Nix.org specifically for this topic, but would like to start the ideas and suggestions rolling in this posting. First, we’ll need to identify what exactly a school/district will need top to bottom, and what OSS solutions are available, how much customization would be required, etc.
So, how do we go about creating the “Open Source School in a Box”?
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11.16.06
Posted in EDU-Nix at 11:11 am by Shane
While not entirely on topic in the “Technology and Open Source in Education” field, here is a ultra-quick (fewer than 15 minutes) tutorial I had whipped up a short while ago.
The lesson is using the Gimp to edit a photo, in this case my Sister-in-law, to create a mostly black and white with a splash of color shot. It is a common effect, and quite easy to do.
The Gimp is included within the EDU-Nix Live CD Environment, and is available for Windows as well as Linux and OS X. To see how to create this effect in a few quick steps, check out the quick gimp tutorial.
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