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7 years of Linux on Desktops ~

A Free and Open Source Education Solution

In 2002 students, teachers and parents converted an old classroom into an ICT laboratory  and e-learning centre using donated, new and secondhand hardware and GNU/Linux software.  This is now our main classroom for computer related activities consisting of 30+ networked  workstations, file and proxy servers, ADSL, printer and scanner stations and 120 user accounts.

Current Hardware Desktops: 1G Pentium III Compaq, small form boxes @ $200 per unit; 15” glass protected LCD  screens @ $300 per unit. 30 sturdy and reliable workstations. Total cost $15000  

Servers: One 3G HP Proliant file server @ $3500, one Compaq proxy @ $500. Total cost $4000.

UPS, Printers, scanner, modem, switch, projector and screen: Some new, some donated, some secondhand. Total cost $6000.

Furniture: Built with contributed labour from yellow tongue flooring sheets, total material cost  for 32 workstation spaces was $600.

Electrical work: Material and labour for 3 protected mains circuits with 70 power outlets cost $8000.

Network cabling: Cat5E  loomed and connected by senior students. Cost of materials $400. Starting with an empty room, total cost of hardware and fittings was around $34000.

 

lorientux

The Lorien "Tux" Logo 

Current Software Desktops: Mandriva 2006 Installed and used software includes; OpenOffice 2.0 Writer - wordprocessor OpenOffice 2.0 Calc - spreadsheet OpenOffice 2.0 Impress – presentation (Powerpoint) OpenOffice 2.0 Draw – this flyer is produced in Draw OpenOffice 2.0 Base – database GUI Tuxpaint – simple graphics editor The GIMP – graphics creator/editor InkScape – graphics creator/editor Firefox – web browser Evolution – mail client NVU – web design Scribus – desktop publishing Blender – animated film Cinelerra – digital film Qcad – computer aided design KIIIB – DVD and CD burning Amarok – multimedia  player Rosegarden – MIDI and audio sequencer Sound Juicer – rip CDs Totem - media player Various terminals Kdevelop – multiple language development environment Plus more..... Total cost for desktop software licenses, NIL File Server: Mandrake 10.1 Powerpack Plus and using the following services; NIS, NFS and YP.  Total cost of Mandrake boxed set $200 (we wanted the manuals) Proxy Server: GetBusy commercial web content management based on Squid proxy server.  Cost around $400 PA. Cost for all software, including licenses was $600 to set up, then $400 per annum (web  filtering).

In 2006 we changed Linux distribution from Mandriva to Ubuntu on desktops and  servers.

We are deploying an e-learning environment using Joomla content managed web space and Moodle content management system for our school portals. We are also hoping to  get Koha integrated library system up and running. All of these are FOSS (Free and Open  Source Software) of course!

This whole project works for us for several reasons.First and foremost, we believe deeply that the global collaborative project, known as FOSS, is in alignment with the values of school education. Students should not be “branded in” or limited to, a narrow range of expensive software.

Secondly, we save tens of thousands of dollars in software licenses and get a more stable, almost virus-free  computing environment.

Thirdly, Linux is such great fun to use and offers almost limitless choices. And finally, our school community, the parents, teachers and students are very supportive, contributing both equipment and importantly, their expertise. 

The Lorien Linux Lab has also been featured in the Computerworld magazine!

Click here to have a look.