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Distributions/Configurations For Specific Uses?
Page writes "My college (UMPI) is currently reviewing a proposal to collect old hardware from small businesses and assemble machines for those who do not have a PC. The issue came up as to what linux distro to use that will allow us ease of both setup and ability to lock down the machine so once they are out in the field, they cant be tinkered with by accident (thus preventing problems later). These will be used solely for the purpose of web activities (surfing/mail), and word processing and *THATS IT*. Does anyone have suggestions and an idea about how to go about a standardized (or a sort of embedded) configuration across variable hardware?"
Having said that, I don't understand the purpose of this initiative. I won't say its a stunt but really, I think most people can either afford a pc OR if they'll just browse etc well there are cybercafes which are in fact cheaper.
It's slick, has tons of included applications, can access a hard drive but will not be bothered by anything actually *done* to the hard drive, can print to most normal linux-compatable printers. I find it hard to believe when using it that it's all from one CD.
jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
I've thought of starting something similar to this at my university in Orlando. Me and my friends alone have enough less-than-beefy parts left over from upgrades to make machines. And one computer, even if it's only 400 MHz, could make a real difference to some kid whose family can't afford to expose him to computing.
Not having tech skills can be a real blow to class mobility. There's reasons why geeks are frequently thought of as elitist. We're not known as the most socially or financially generous group. We don't tend to help others up, just people within our own community. The hardware races we engage in seem like a flagrant waste to people that can't pay their power bills as we whine for more RAM. Contributing refurbished machines to needy families could go a long ways towards improving our social stigmas. It could also help to ensure that struggling families can add some valuable skills to their resumes without investing money they don't have; giving them skills gives them better earning potential, and a way to improve their situation.
Even aside from that, it's just cool to watch a 6-year-old learn how to work a computer. It's undeniably cute.
Is there a counrty-wide group that does this that we could hook into? It'd be nice if we could get requests and need lists from more than just the university community.
You would be better off giving them a "rescue" CD that reformats their drive and puts the OS back to where it was, painful, but users remember that kind of pain and think "...hmmm last time I tried something I was not quite sure about, I lost everything."
This kind of attitude really bugs me. I work in an IT department, and the attitude here is that the average worker's data is worthless. If the user messes up one little thing they just do a restore and wipe out everything. Thanks but no thanks.
You have to respect the data of the user. Remember, they trust what you say about computers like they would trust a doctor. Don't tell them it can't be done if it can, that's just wrong.
I understand that you're doing this with the best of intentions and all, but do you really want to totally lock them down?
:-)
Basically you'll just be giving these people glorified word processors instead of real computers. While I applaud this effort, it's really a very short sighted (imho) goal. It reminds me of the parable about giving a man a fish and teaching a man to fish. You are very much just giving away fish and locking out the possibility of learning to fish.
I understand that if you give them out with root passwords you'd probably just end up with mostly unworking boxes in a short time. You'd probably also have a support nightmare, with people expecting help with their free computer. I'm just wondering if there isn't some middle road where you can leave things semi-open to change and configuration without leaving it completely vulnerable.
As for advice, I dunno, I've always been better with questions than answers.
I haven't thunk up a cool sig yet.
Two problems with graphical terminals: One, they'll need extra bandwidth, and a lot of colleges (like mine until this year) are only 10 mbit. Also, the whole idea here is to turn out a solution that the techs will never, ever have to touch again. Terminal/server systems would be the responsibility of the techs.
I'm the stranger...posting to
Three cheers for your enlightened college. May I ask where you go to school?
Ghost??? You don't need Ghost with Linux! Period. You can simply "cp /dev/hda /dev/hdb" to copy you stock image to a new machine.