Am really interested in what are your "killer apps" in the Open Source desktop arena. We're working on a report/resource list for this site, and are would love your feedback.
Submitted by Molly Williams on Wed, 03/12/2008 - 11:43.
I am a tech coordinator for a school in northern VA. We have an outstanding tech and curriculum integration program. It has taken over 5 years to get it to the point that it is currently ~ and now enters the push for the use of open source technologies. We do a lot of work with web 2.0 applications, multimedia publishing, and have a wide variety of software applications that run on windows. Is there a compendium of some sort that will help me to answer my questions about compatibility of software programs that run on windows that would be compatible on open source operating systems? I can't image throwing out thousands and thousands of dollars worth of software to move to open source. In my mind, it would bring our program to a screeching halt not to mention send our 2 person technology department running for new jobs. I am thrilled about the aspect of saving money on licenses and such but I cannot see how to do this seamlessly. Any thoughts/resources you can share would be very much appreciated.
Signed,
Confused, intrigued and wanting to know more.
Submitted by Patrick McGovern on Sun, 02/01/2009 - 14:15.
I agree that it would be challenging to implement an educational strategy for both open and proprietary systems. However, I think you should be commended for recognizing that the benefits of open source are worthy of this investigation.
Below are some recommendations for consideraton:
* Install a select set of mature open source applications on the Windows machines. Examples include: OpenOffice, FireFox, 7zip, Blender and DIA.
* Incorporate an Open Source educational "module" that demonstrates a robust Linux Live CD distribution that can save changes to a USB drive. The program should load entirely into RAM memory, be easy to customize, and allow seamless integration with a USB flash drive. I have sampled quite a few Linux distributions and found that Puppy Linux (http://puppylinux.org) can do the job nicely. This strategy should not require any major changes to the existing hardware or software. The Linux system and application changes are saved on the USB drive to allow students to use their system on any computer that can boot from a CDROM.
I have customized a version of Puppy Linux to help my wife with her college classes. This version has OpenOffice installed and some significant tweaks to make it more user friendly. If interested, you can try my "puplet" and let me know how it works.
Submitted by Steve Hargadon on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 04:12.
I think your fears are understandable, and it might help to have some clarification.
Linux is an open source operating system, but it is just one example of open source software. Is your conversion to Linux, or to using some open source software programs? For instance, you can use Firefox and OpenOffice.org on Windows just fine, and for most people it doesn't represent a huge change.
If you are, in fact, making a switch to Linux, you will then need to use the software programs that are written for Linux, and that can be a big change and harder to do in graduated steps. The good news is that there are tons of great programs for Linux, and you will save a lot of money and usually find your systems much more stable. I don't know of a good resource for schools for making the switch, but you can look at www.k12opensource.com for program listings as well as for email lists you can join.
What version of Linux--if this is a conversion to Linux--are you considering using?
Submitted by Eric Lyon on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 17:05.
We have done a pilot type program to implement Open Office and it has gotten limited success. The No. 1 issue is the default save of a document created is not cross platform usable. Also we run unique student logons per student assigned to them once they enter the 7th grade that follows them thru graduation. Everytime a new user logons onto a PC with Open office it wants to run its registration for that user. While Im sure there is a way to turn it off, time constraints made this a issue. We do use alot of Edubuntu Linux servers for various applications and have had wonderful results with them. We also have found that there is a opensource flash for Linksys AP's that enables various abilities that the default software does not. This will void your warranty so be forewarned, but for a low cost alternative that lets you adjust signal strength and do AP grouping, it cant be beat. We have successful implementations of OpenVPN, Moodle, FreeNAS, & Drupal.
In our technology committee meeting the largest standoff's for opensource applications for the student desktop was the support for curriculum. Although it is a good idea to expose our students to software they may find once they graduate.
Submitted by Steve Hargadon on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 04:21.
Fascinating post. I don't know the answer to the two OpenOffice issues, but they won't be hard to find out. I do believe there is a way to change the default file format for OO, and to have that default for installation, but I've not done it myself. I'm less sure about the OO registration process.
That you're using an open source program to run your access points is a great example of non-classroom open source use. Thanks for pointing that out! Same with OpenVPN, Moodle, FreeNAS, and Drupal.
Curricular issues can be complex when switching software. So can training. Your point about exposing students is great--both for the technical and non-technical student. A tech student who doesn't know the LAMP stack software, or much about Linux, will be at a great disadvantage. And I'm amazed at the number of college students who use OpenOffice and a variety of other open source programs.
Start Office is greaet
I found taht using star office is the best option for my class as it's free and it's very user friend.y
Education breaks down barriers
http://www.skool.com
Killer Open Source Desktop Apps
At our school in Vail, AZ we use a number of applications:
Firefox open office
Firefox
open office
Confused, Intrigued, and Wanting to Know More
I am a tech coordinator for a school in northern VA. We have an outstanding tech and curriculum integration program. It has taken over 5 years to get it to the point that it is currently ~ and now enters the push for the use of open source technologies. We do a lot of work with web 2.0 applications, multimedia publishing, and have a wide variety of software applications that run on windows. Is there a compendium of some sort that will help me to answer my questions about compatibility of software programs that run on windows that would be compatible on open source operating systems? I can't image throwing out thousands and thousands of dollars worth of software to move to open source. In my mind, it would bring our program to a screeching halt not to mention send our 2 person technology department running for new jobs. I am thrilled about the aspect of saving money on licenses and such but I cannot see how to do this seamlessly. Any thoughts/resources you can share would be very much appreciated.
Signed,
Confused, intrigued and wanting to know more.
Implenting Open Source in Education
I agree that it would be challenging to implement an educational strategy for both open and proprietary systems. However, I think you should be commended for recognizing that the benefits of open source are worthy of this investigation.
Below are some recommendations for consideraton:
* Install a select set of mature open source applications on the Windows machines. Examples include: OpenOffice, FireFox, 7zip, Blender and DIA.
* Incorporate an Open Source educational "module" that demonstrates a robust Linux Live CD distribution that can save changes to a USB drive. The program should load entirely into RAM memory, be easy to customize, and allow seamless integration with a USB flash drive. I have sampled quite a few Linux distributions and found that Puppy Linux (http://puppylinux.org) can do the job nicely. This strategy should not require any major changes to the existing hardware or software. The Linux system and application changes are saved on the USB drive to allow students to use their system on any computer that can boot from a CDROM.
I have customized a version of Puppy Linux to help my wife with her college classes. This version has OpenOffice installed and some significant tweaks to make it more user friendly. If interested, you can try my "puplet" and let me know how it works.
Confused, Intrigued, and Wanting to Know More
I think your fears are understandable, and it might help to have some clarification.
Linux is an open source operating system, but it is just one example of open source software. Is your conversion to Linux, or to using some open source software programs? For instance, you can use Firefox and OpenOffice.org on Windows just fine, and for most people it doesn't represent a huge change.
If you are, in fact, making a switch to Linux, you will then need to use the software programs that are written for Linux, and that can be a big change and harder to do in graduated steps. The good news is that there are tons of great programs for Linux, and you will save a lot of money and usually find your systems much more stable. I don't know of a good resource for schools for making the switch, but you can look at www.k12opensource.com for program listings as well as for email lists you can join.
What version of Linux--if this is a conversion to Linux--are you considering using?
Steve
Steve Hargadon
www.stevehargadon.com
steve@hargadon.com
Our current roadmap
We have done a pilot type program to implement Open Office and it has gotten limited success. The No. 1 issue is the default save of a document created is not cross platform usable. Also we run unique student logons per student assigned to them once they enter the 7th grade that follows them thru graduation. Everytime a new user logons onto a PC with Open office it wants to run its registration for that user. While Im sure there is a way to turn it off, time constraints made this a issue. We do use alot of Edubuntu Linux servers for various applications and have had wonderful results with them. We also have found that there is a opensource flash for Linksys AP's that enables various abilities that the default software does not. This will void your warranty so be forewarned, but for a low cost alternative that lets you adjust signal strength and do AP grouping, it cant be beat. We have successful implementations of OpenVPN, Moodle, FreeNAS, & Drupal.
In our technology committee meeting the largest standoff's for opensource applications for the student desktop was the support for curriculum. Although it is a good idea to expose our students to software they may find once they graduate.
Sincerely
Your Roadmap
Fascinating post. I don't know the answer to the two OpenOffice issues, but they won't be hard to find out. I do believe there is a way to change the default file format for OO, and to have that default for installation, but I've not done it myself. I'm less sure about the OO registration process.
That you're using an open source program to run your access points is a great example of non-classroom open source use. Thanks for pointing that out! Same with OpenVPN, Moodle, FreeNAS, and Drupal.
Curricular issues can be complex when switching software. So can training. Your point about exposing students is great--both for the technical and non-technical student. A tech student who doesn't know the LAMP stack software, or much about Linux, will be at a great disadvantage. And I'm amazed at the number of college students who use OpenOffice and a variety of other open source programs.
Steve Steve Hargadon www.stevehargadon.com steve@hargadon.com