Operating Systems: How Painful To Switch? - Classroom 2.02024-03-28T12:08:05Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/operating-systems-how-painful?commentId=649749%3AComment%3A392147&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSpeaking of a couple of optio…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-29:649749:Comment:4237342009-12-29T19:29:01.679ZJoel Garciahttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JoelGarcia
Speaking of a couple of options for the little ones, I was at the SoCal Linux convention in Los Angeles last year and had a chance to experiment with OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) , a portable laptop geared specifically for young learners everywhere in the world. The operating system was Sugar, learning software for children. It was interesting and fun to play with. The organization and software is unique, targeting math, music, art, writing, and reading as well as providing access to the…
Speaking of a couple of options for the little ones, I was at the SoCal Linux convention in Los Angeles last year and had a chance to experiment with OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) , a portable laptop geared specifically for young learners everywhere in the world. The operating system was Sugar, learning software for children. It was interesting and fun to play with. The organization and software is unique, targeting math, music, art, writing, and reading as well as providing access to the internet.<br />
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At the time, I was thinking it would be cool if the software was offered separately from the operating system. Recently, I have looked and found that it is. I looked into my Ubuntu package manager and there it is, Sugar and a number of learning activities. I bet Open Suse has the same packages in their package manager system. Here is another option. You can actually put Sugar on a thumb drive and run it from there, oh, and it's free. They call it Sugar on a Stick. Go to their website: <a href="http://www.sugarlabs.org/" target="_blank">http://www.sugarlabs.org/</a>. You will need a 1GB thumb drive to install the Sugar environment. Try it, you might like it 8-)<br />
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For more background information you can go to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_</a>(desktop_environment) I'll get in touch with him. T…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-29:649749:Comment:4236922009-12-29T16:28:36.759Zcharles herzoghttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/charlesherzog
I'll get in touch with him. Thanks for the lead.
I'll get in touch with him. Thanks for the lead. I love having a Linux lab (KD…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-29:649749:Comment:4236512009-12-29T06:24:34.926ZAlline Sadahttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/AllineSada
I love having a Linux lab (KDE and OpenSUE) with elementary kids! No viruses, they have to THINK simply because functions and commands are in different menus than what they are used to (Open Office, the GIMP...). But for the Preschoolers and lower Elementary I do rely heavily on the Internet for mouse skill games, typing games, etc.<br />
There are a couple of options for the little ones, but nothing that I really LOVE (GCompris, tuxpaint, Ktuberling, Circus Linux, Ri-Li)...
I love having a Linux lab (KDE and OpenSUE) with elementary kids! No viruses, they have to THINK simply because functions and commands are in different menus than what they are used to (Open Office, the GIMP...). But for the Preschoolers and lower Elementary I do rely heavily on the Internet for mouse skill games, typing games, etc.<br />
There are a couple of options for the little ones, but nothing that I really LOVE (GCompris, tuxpaint, Ktuberling, Circus Linux, Ri-Li)... Great...If you want, we have…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-29:649749:Comment:4236342009-12-29T04:11:47.210ZDave Petersonhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/DavePeterson
Great...If you want, we have a good installation in the elementary school in Johnson, Vt. The tech guy there has installed quite a few clusters, is a small school district, and he is the only tech person. Collaboration has been increased using this product, as well as the cost savings, and he can tell you about that.
Great...If you want, we have a good installation in the elementary school in Johnson, Vt. The tech guy there has installed quite a few clusters, is a small school district, and he is the only tech person. Collaboration has been increased using this product, as well as the cost savings, and he can tell you about that. Your tech person is right for…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-29:649749:Comment:4236182009-12-29T02:11:59.399ZChris Johnstonhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/ChrisJohnston
Your tech person is right for a few reasons. Many companies that run Macs don't even have IT support people because they are not needed.<br />
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1.Macs cost more because the quality control is higher and Apple controls manufacturing and software. They know that the hardware will work with their software. Many of the problems inherent in Windows stem from the fact that it has to work on so many different hardware platforms. This is why you have endless problems with driver compatibility.<br />
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2.They do so…
Your tech person is right for a few reasons. Many companies that run Macs don't even have IT support people because they are not needed.<br />
<br />
1.Macs cost more because the quality control is higher and Apple controls manufacturing and software. They know that the hardware will work with their software. Many of the problems inherent in Windows stem from the fact that it has to work on so many different hardware platforms. This is why you have endless problems with driver compatibility.<br />
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2.They do so many more things out of the box that Windows doesn't or won't without additional software. (iMovie, GarageBand, and iPhoto for example)<br />
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3. Finally they hardly ever get a virus. Most people I know that run Macs don't even have virus software installed on their machines because they don't need it. There simply aren't that many viruses that can infect a Mac.<br />
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4. They are more secure. Windows was built to be easy to use and no security was built in. All the security added on in recent years is tacked on top of an insecure system and it feels like a kluge because it is. Because there are millions of Windows machines being used by corporations, Microsoft cannot afford to create a new secure operating system from the ground up because it would be incompatible with their older systems. Macs were built on UNIX which is very secure and was designed to be. Additionally, a few years ago they entirely rewrote the OS and IT IS INCOMPATIBLE with older versions of the Mac OS. Why were they able to do this? Their user base was smaller and they cared about security.<br />
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While netbooks may be cheaper upfront over the lifetime of the machine, considering all operating and maintenance cost, Macs will be cheaper by quite a hefty margin. Dave,
Thanks for responding.…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-28:649749:Comment:4236122009-12-28T23:29:01.255Zcharles herzoghttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/charlesherzog
Dave,<br />
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Thanks for responding. I"ll be getting in touch within the next few weeks with some questions. I presented to the school board a few weeks back regarding a switch from Mac. They might be interested in piloting something.
Dave,<br />
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Thanks for responding. I"ll be getting in touch within the next few weeks with some questions. I presented to the school board a few weeks back regarding a switch from Mac. They might be interested in piloting something. You might also look at Fiddle…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-28:649749:Comment:4235832009-12-28T22:25:47.134ZDave Petersonhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/DavePeterson
You might also look at Fiddlehead. It is based upon a Linux control kernel that can replace BIOS. It allows you to attach 4 sets of kbds, monitors, and mice directly, no thin client stuff. It allows you to run Linux applications natively with a real (and legal) Windows XP, or Windows 7, or Windows Vista GUI. <a href="http://www.myfiddlehead.com" target="_blank">www.myfiddlehead.com</a>. I am the CTO of the company so I am a bit jaded regarding our product. It is really designed to allow schools…
You might also look at Fiddlehead. It is based upon a Linux control kernel that can replace BIOS. It allows you to attach 4 sets of kbds, monitors, and mice directly, no thin client stuff. It allows you to run Linux applications natively with a real (and legal) Windows XP, or Windows 7, or Windows Vista GUI. <a href="http://www.myfiddlehead.com" target="_blank">www.myfiddlehead.com</a>. I am the CTO of the company so I am a bit jaded regarding our product. It is really designed to allow schools to transfer their applications to FOSS while keeping a M$ desktop until they realize that they don't really need it anymore. You might also want to look a…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-12-28:649749:Comment:4235742009-12-28T22:21:51.768ZDave Petersonhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/DavePeterson
You might also want to look at Fiddlehead. It is designed around a Linux control kernel and runs Windows OS's on up to 4 heads, legally. <a href="http://www.myfiddlehead.com" target="_blank">www.myfiddlehead.com</a>
You might also want to look at Fiddlehead. It is designed around a Linux control kernel and runs Windows OS's on up to 4 heads, legally. <a href="http://www.myfiddlehead.com" target="_blank">www.myfiddlehead.com</a> Charlie let me break down how…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-11-06:649749:Comment:4016342009-11-06T04:24:47.338ZJoel Garciahttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JoelGarcia
Charlie let me break down how these people helped me.<br />
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Charles Williams: donations and technical support. Charles really just put the donated computers in one place for me to pick up, gave me some background information about the computers, and signed them out to me.<br />
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Kerri Murray: donations and technical support. Kerri gave me permission to take the computers and showed me her lab at the adult school.<br />
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Alex at AMS Advanced Micro Systems: guidance and technical support. Alex owns a very small…
Charlie let me break down how these people helped me.<br />
<br />
Charles Williams: donations and technical support. Charles really just put the donated computers in one place for me to pick up, gave me some background information about the computers, and signed them out to me.<br />
<br />
Kerri Murray: donations and technical support. Kerri gave me permission to take the computers and showed me her lab at the adult school.<br />
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Alex at AMS Advanced Micro Systems: guidance and technical support. Alex owns a very small computer store that supports Linux networking. He talked to me for a couple of hours about Linux technology.<br />
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Steve Hargadon: providing a model for high quality, low cost technology in the classroom for schools without a budget. We had a short discussion and I diagrammed his lab.<br />
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Manuel Garcia: lab preparation and trouble shooting. My dad, very little technology knowledge, just wanted to help. He thought what I was doing was cool.<br />
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Jesse Mendez: lab preparation and trouble shooting. My 16 year old nephew, newly indoctrinated into Linux, who is now miles ahead of me and is beginning to teach his teachers at San Pedro High School all about Linux security and networking.<br />
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I gave these people credit for supporting me because they really supported me whether they knew about Linux or not. They believed in the dream of creating something new from vintage technology. They were excited about what I was doing. I was on fire and determined to succeed. So, really, I am getting by with the help of my friends. What is interesting about this is that because of what I am doing, I am making more friends. People are wanting to help the school that can make those old computers work like new. Since I have started, this is what our amateur Linux team of three teachers has received in technology for our school.<br />
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2 HP tower servers<br />
30 Compaq Deskpro<br />
13 HP thin clients<br />
12 HP P4 Desktops<br />
4 G4 Apple towers<br />
17 White G4 Apples<br />
3 projectors<br />
5 varied XP desktops Dell, Compaq, HP<br />
3 laptops<br />
Live Broadcasting Camera<br />
If I knew how to use it, I could have had a SUN tower server the size of a refrigerator, overkill!<br />
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Yes, I do have friends. They believe in the cause of educating our young people,especially if you can do it with what we have. My effort is lean and green. What is great about all this is that you do not need to be a heavy technology guru. At least I haven't had any problems I couldn't solve. I just Google for answers. My friends are mostly like me, interested in learning something new, and wanting to provide students with technology they can use. It is so important to be thankful and appreciative to those who help you. I am truly thankful and I want the world to know.<br />
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I am well. In fact, I have just converted a Dell desktop into a server and am presently installing Ubuntu LTSP server on it, should be done in the next 20 minutes. We'll see how it works. Thanks for responding.
Embar…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-11-04:649749:Comment:4008132009-11-04T02:20:39.293Zcharles herzoghttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/charlesherzog
Thanks for responding.<br />
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Embarrassingly, leasing with Apple, and macminis are things I know little about. I'll need to brush up.<br />
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I understand, and largely agree with everything you say about PCs. For me, the price of netbooks versus Macs makes them a game-changer. Netbooks running Linux, and the concept of computing on the "cloud" makes them even more appealing.<br />
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What I'm really excited and interested in are "thin client" systems, like Joel has put together.<br />
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Thanks for the input.<br />
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Charlie
Thanks for responding.<br />
<br />
Embarrassingly, leasing with Apple, and macminis are things I know little about. I'll need to brush up.<br />
<br />
I understand, and largely agree with everything you say about PCs. For me, the price of netbooks versus Macs makes them a game-changer. Netbooks running Linux, and the concept of computing on the "cloud" makes them even more appealing.<br />
<br />
What I'm really excited and interested in are "thin client" systems, like Joel has put together.<br />
<br />
Thanks for the input.<br />
<br />
Charlie