Hi,
Am due to start (today/tomorrow - time permitting) installation and
configuration of Red Hat Linux on a 40Gb HDD to be used as a server in a
school computer Lab. This an attempt to demonstrate to the school that a
Linux server could be used in place of the Novell server they intend to
purchase. I am not sure how much this will achieve by way of "introducing"
Linux to schools, because essentially only the Server will be on Linux.
We are to replicate the environment where machines in the Lab connect to a
Novell server to run programs - typically DOS-based programs or Windows.
Most of the workstations in the Lab are diskless nodes.
My intention is to install RH Linux on the server. We then use LTSP to have
workstations boot Linux off the server into X-windows. (I believe the
workstations have a minumum of 64Mb RAM). I have also considered using
Mars-NWE to emulate the Novell environment. The last time I looked at
mars-nwe was in the good ole days of Novell 3.x Anyone out here who has
tried Mars-nwe recently?
The challenge before us is this: Once we have the diskless nodes boot into
Linux, what next? We need to provide the School Lab with an environment in
which their syllabus can be covered. An environment with which the teachers
are familiar. It is not yet a conscious decision on the part of the school
management to go in for a Linux server. We are essentially presenting them
with a proof-of-concept. The challenge is translating this proof-of-concept
into a functioning working production server that meets all the needs of
teachers and students. If these needs are not met, the project could
back-fire.
We are not at a stage where we can suggest changes in the school syllabus.
So we need to provide an environment where the school can cover the
following syllabus (I have removed the theory-part of the syllabus and list
only software-related topics):
Class 4: Fun with computer game
Introduction to Logo
Class 5: Fun with computer game
More LOGO
Class 6: Fun with computers: Games in Windows (mine sweeper)
Introduction to Windows (Operating System)
Components of Windows (Desktop, icons, menu bar
etc...)
Introduction to mouse (selection, drag and drop,
click, double click)
PC paint
Introduction to Qbasic
Basic character sets
Statements (let, input/output)
Commands (CLS, SAVE, RUN, NEW)
Class 7: Introduction to Windows
Game in Windows (Solitare)
PC Paint
Introduction to programming in Qbasic
Windows (write - word processor)
Class 8: MS Office and MS-Word
MS Excel
Power point
Qbasic
I am wondering how much of all the above can be done on a diskless node
under X. We have LOGO for linux. What about Qbasic? Am not sure if teachers
will be receptive to the idea of using Open office(or other office package)
to teach the topics listed above under MS Office. We could try WINE. But
how much of the above can be done under WINE? I have not used WINE so have
no idea.
Apart form providing a platform to cover the school syllabus, I intend to
setup a intranet web server with an internet gateway(if the school agrees).
The intranet web could host notice boards, time-tables, java applets
simulating physics, mathematics, chemistry concepts etc..etc..
Any ideas, suggestions, help from members of this list will be most
appreciated. We do not have much time to set all this up - maybe a week or
so. Volunteers to help setup this system are welcome. Contact me at 278 8562.
I take this as an opportunity to test the waters for promoting Linux in
schools.
Regards
Leo
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