Recently I wiped out my Windows install in favor of Debian Sid. Being a psuedo-geek with an intermediate Linux skill level, I've had a lot of fun configuring it and I'm in love with it. However, I ran into a few frustrating hurdles along the way that would have sent a beginner running for their Win install disks. Granted Debian Sid is perhaps not the best distro for beginners to use for auto-configuration and whatnot. But still.
It didn't like my video card (ATI 64MB) and would not let the resolution go over 640 x 480. I swapped it out with an NVidia and it works great.
I couldn't get my joystick to work. I finally got it to work after digging for hours thorough message board hell. Even then, I attribute the fix more to luck than anything.
I can only import pics from my digital camera when I run GTKam as root.
Limewire only works when run as root, as well.
gDesklets were significantly more complicated to configure and run than my experience with Konfabulator with my Mac (which was a no-brainer).
My parents had bought me a new sound card for my 16th birthday. I was in the process of installing it when my little brother came by to watch and accidentally dropped his entire plate of cake and ice cream into the open case. After totally freaking out and yelling at him, I cleaned out as much as I could, removed the motherboard and ISA cards, wiped them clean, and let it sit overnight. The next morning I put it all back together and it worked fine. I used the computer for several more years afterward.
I had a decent 386 laptop in High School. One day while playing DOOM I got upset and threw a pen at the screen. Bad idea. It blew out a few pixels, which then glowed a bright orange. After a few days I realized that the spot was actually spreading. After about a year it had covered almost half the screen, leaving it pretty much useless. Every time I had to use it and saw the damage I had caused, it was kind of a reminder as to what happens when I allow my temper to get the best of me...
Actually, I already replaced a W2k Server with a Linux machine. I learned Samba. I've never setup a proper firewall, that's on my list for the coming year. I've written many database applications for web (php/mysql), I have done that freelance for a few years. I've done a lot of other things I never dreamed I would be doing, and many other things I didn't even know were there to learn.
We will be implementing Apple's PowerSchool over the summer. I'm the sole lead on that project...I'm sure I'll learn something.
But anyway, you're right, there really is still a lot I could do. And yes, the salary thing definitely cramps my style! I'd probably stay here forever if it wern't for that.
I am the sysadmin at a small K-12. I support about 70 computers, two networks, and a few servers. It was my first sysadmin job and I just finished my first year there. I kind of fell into the job almost on accident, my specialty is web development. I have always been passionate about IT in general, but my sysadmin knowledge and experience was quite limited when I started. I've learned a ton and it's been great. I picked up a couple of cert books just for reference and it is true that they were helpful for teaching the fundamentals, and filling in a few gaps.
However, after a year there, I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of things to learn. I feel I have the basics down, but our limited tech budget means we are quite far from having the latest and greatest technology. I am considering certs right now, even though they will not benefit my current job. When I start to look for a new job it would be nice to have a jumpstart on some of the technology that is not available here.
Does this make sense? Does anyone have a recommendation for where a 1-2 year sysadmin should start heading?
For security purposes, I want to have my w2k machines running Firefox with the latest Service Packs and Windows Updates. How am I supposed to load Windows Updates when the website just appears blank in Firefox?
And no the problem is not that zeldman (etc) load slowly, they scroll very slowly once the information has loaded. This does not occur with IE.
I've been in love with Firefox for about a month now. I am the sysadmin at a small K-12, and as soon as 1.0 comes out, I'm replacing IE with it on all 60+ of the school PCs. Just replace the icon with the "e" logo and no one is the wiser (I think Joe Average just equates the "e" with "internet" anyway). I've already tested it with a few people and nobody has even commented on it being different. Once they learn about tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, etc, I'm sure they'll love it. And the thought of not having to constantly clean malware / spyware / hijacks off everyone's systems makes me want to do a little dance.
I've wanted to replace IE for a long time, and I think Firefox is the one that's gonna do it (Mozilla has always been too awkward and quirky).
Some people believe that music is more than just a commodity to be consumed, defecated, and thrown away.
Some people have no interest whatsoever in pop culture, fake artists, and songwriters employed by major record companies.
Some people's favorite bands spend their lives under the radar of the mainstream culture. They record albums, play thousands of shows, and make litte or no money (but occasionally lots). They are happy to do this for years. They even purposefully, repeatedly TURN DOWN contracts they are offered by major labels. Why? Because they care about music, art, THE SWEET ROCK, the fans, culture, their integrity, and their very souls, much more than they care about the Almighty Dollar.
It's a fact that most bands that do sign to major labels are totally fucked.
(Pardon the double post, this is the properly formatted version. Why doesn't/. recognize line breaks? Errr.)
A Discourse On The Commodification Of Music
Or
A Call To Arms
by Demosthenes / FCI
PART 1: DEFINITION/STATE OF THE UNION
Music: an expression of humanity, escape, a soundtrack to life, deep passion....
Purpose: to share ideas, stories, and create a common bond between peoples and groups of people....
In the year 2002, the practices of the music industry have gone astray from developing artists and supporting a musical community. Instead, priorities have shifted to create easy-to-swallow compositions and commodify trends in order to simply reach the capitalist ultimatum of creating wealth most completely and efficiently. Music is commodified under the rules of large media companies, and as many have heard before, "an album as a complete body of work by an artist" isn't as important as its internal reference as a "unit." Note that a unit is also what cereal companies consider a box of cereal in your grocery store: simply units to consume, defecate, and throw away.
Now, this revelation didn't come to me without experience. I, for one, had the thought that perhaps things truly were different, that an artist can truly function within the framework of the culture-machines that we have today. My experience had me existing for a short while in the media Babylon of Los Angeles. Surrounded by many other souls attempting to live their dreams, achieve their creative nirvana, and, yes, make boatloads of money. The actual climate coupled with the mental landscape created a virtual world of escapism where people could expose their eccentricities for all to see. This insular city had its own way of thinking and perceiving the world. Seeing that the general populace of Earth consumes what is created out of this area like starving wolves, it is unavoidable not to be under the influence of its haze of grandiosity. I didn't realize it at the time, but even I got caught up in the currents of achieving "success" along with the myriad masses around me, drunk on visions and possibilities as if the gods slipped ethereal ambrosia into my water.
I was whisked away to a magnificent studio with a larger budget than anything I have ever been a part of musically, simply to create a three-song demonstration for the higher-ups to decide whether the music I was a part of was a viable investment. Our "demo" was a well-produced masterpiece of rock n' roll with Pro-Tooled vocals and spliced choruses; we were the perfect versions of our selves, humans that make no flaws.
We flew to New York City and were put up in a fancy designer hotel in Times Square to showcase ourselves for the important decision makers and strategically meet with others in the "industry." I experienced the ego-stroking that you only hear about but never really believe is reality: for example, a man, sitting across from me, looking me straight into the eyes with fervor in his voice, braying, "I am going to take you to the top... because I WIN." This and many other catch phrases were some of the shameless mental foreplay tactics I experienced. We played games with A&R types and others like a game of courtship with a woman, where you can let your thoughts of fondness remain hidden. They moved deftly to avoid commitments yet brought us flowers and lusty chocolates.
The moment of truth while in the den of wolves came when one particular shiny-headed higher-up, who referred to pop icon Brittney Spears by first-name basis "Brittney" (the following quote is enhanced if read with a tenor smoker's voice and a slight New York accent), said to us, "Give us the song... then do your art." In that moment, I silently thanked him for his honesty and understood the game and its formula for success. No matter who you are and how passionate you are, you must first provide what the culture-sellers want in the form of their current formula of composition and a sound
A Discourse On The Commodification Of Music
Or
A Call To Arms
by Demosthenes / FCI
PART 1: DEFINITION/STATE OF THE UNION
Music: an expression of humanity, escape, a soundtrack to life, deep passion....
Purpose: to share ideas, stories, and create a common bond between peoples and groups of people....
In the year 2002, the practices of the music industry have gone astray from developing artists and supporting a musical community. Instead, priorities have shifted to create easy-to-swallow compositions and commodify trends in order to simply reach the capitalist ultimatum of creating wealth most completely and efficiently. Music is commodified under the rules of large media companies, and as many have heard before, "an album as a complete body of work by an artist" isn't as important as its internal reference as a "unit." Note that a unit is also what cereal companies consider a box of cereal in your grocery store: simply units to consume, defecate, and throw away.
Now, this revelation didn't come to me without experience. I, for one, had the thought that perhaps things truly were different, that an artist can truly function within the framework of the culture-machines that we have today. My experience had me existing for a short while in the media Babylon of Los Angeles. Surrounded by many other souls attempting to live their dreams, achieve their creative nirvana, and, yes, make boatloads of money. The actual climate coupled with the mental landscape created a virtual world of escapism where people could expose their eccentricities for all to see. This insular city had its own way of thinking and perceiving the world. Seeing that the general populace of Earth consumes what is created out of this area like starving wolves, it is unavoidable not to be under the influence of its haze of grandiosity. I didn't realize it at the time, but even I got caught up in the currents of achieving "success" along with the myriad masses around me, drunk on visions and possibilities as if the gods slipped ethereal ambrosia into my water.
I was whisked away to a magnificent studio with a larger budget than anything I have ever been a part of musically, simply to create a three-song demonstration for the higher-ups to decide whether the music I was a part of was a viable investment. Our "demo" was a well-produced masterpiece of rock n' roll with Pro-Tooled vocals and spliced choruses; we were the perfect versions of our selves, humans that make no flaws.
We flew to New York City and were put up in a fancy designer hotel in Times Square to showcase ourselves for the important decision makers and strategically meet with others in the "industry." I experienced the ego-stroking that you only hear about but never really believe is reality: for example, a man, sitting across from me, looking me straight into the eyes with fervor in his voice, braying, "I am going to take you to the top... because I WIN." This and many other catch phrases were some of the shameless mental foreplay tactics I experienced. We played games with A&R types and others like a game of courtship with a woman, where you can let your thoughts of fondness remain hidden. They moved deftly to avoid commitments yet brought us flowers and lusty chocolates.
The moment of truth while in the den of wolves came when one particular shiny-headed higher-up, who referred to pop icon Brittney Spears by first-name basis "Brittney" (the following quote is enhanced if read with a tenor smoker's voice and a slight New York accent), said to us, "Give us the song... then do your art." In that moment, I silently thanked him for his honesty and understood the game and its formula for success. No matter who you are and how passionate you are, you must first provide what the culture-sellers want in the form of their current formula of composition and a sound loaded with sonic MSG. To make a long story short, things deteriorated after that and we weren't the next investment for whatever reason. I split from this musical group and went back happily to w
Instead of writing crappy music and trying to be superstars by selling their souls to the record company, maybe they could try writing honest music and making an honest living off it. Itispossible.
Yeah, these are very good points. The problem is that we have government funds to spend, and had a deadline. We had to make a fast decision, and it was decided to purchase Office. If I had had more time I would have attempted to make a more convincing case. I will keep these points in mind the next time something comes up.
Already I have replaced a W2K server with RH9/Samba, which is working out very well. And I am in the process of integrating Mozilla (or FireFox) and Thunderbird instead of IE and Outlook. Most of the staff doesn't care, as long as it works. So I'm all about open source solutions.
I have a couple of teachers "test driving" complete Linux desktops.
Are there any good open source anti-virus programs out there? We could sure use one.
I am the sysadmin for a private, non-profit k-12 in upstate NY. We operate on a shoestring budget. This year we spent thousdands of dollars to license Office 2000 for about 50 computers. I had mentioned to the Principal about using OpenOffice or some other open source suite, which would obviously be free. He was concerned that in the "real world" people use MS Office and the students would have a hard time working between different versions. Also the same problem currently existed because many of the students had MS Office at home. So the idea was shot down after only a few seconds. I didn't know how to convince him otherwise.
Don't setup individual accounts! That would be incredibly time consuming. I would definitely have Student and Administrator accounts. You can set the Student preferences in System Preferences - Accounts. You can set limits on what they can do and what programs they can run (Capabilities).
If you have a budget and some time to learn, creating a Disk Image on a Firewire drive would be a great idea. Basically: Get everything working perfectly, make a disk image of the system, store it on the firewire drive and when something goes wrong down the line, just install the disk image. Within a few minutes you'll have your system right back where it was, without having to re-install everything from scratch, which could take hours. Try Carbon Copy Cloner and NetRestore from Bombich Software. Both are free! The firewire drive might put you back $150 but it's well worth it.
Average users were tech savvy back when typical computer games required DOS 5, 639k RAM available out of 640k total, and Extended and Expanded memory. Not to mention that if you wanted sound, you had to buy a $200 sound card, and make sure the DMA, IRQ and COM jumpers were configured correctly...this was before Plug N Play. And don't forget editing your autoexec.bat and config.sys to ensure your mouse, joystick, and sound card are all configured when your computer boots up.
Yes! Qbasic is easy to learn, instantly gratifying, and surprisingly powerful if you want to dig in. It's a great place to start...it's where I started.
Easily downloaded for freehere.
You can also easily find it on the Windows 95 disc.
Slashdot Mirror
Recently I wiped out my Windows install in favor of Debian Sid. Being a psuedo-geek with an intermediate Linux skill level, I've had a lot of fun configuring it and I'm in love with it. However, I ran into a few frustrating hurdles along the way that would have sent a beginner running for their Win install disks. Granted Debian Sid is perhaps not the best distro for beginners to use for auto-configuration and whatnot. But still.
It didn't like my video card (ATI 64MB) and would not let the resolution go over 640 x 480. I swapped it out with an NVidia and it works great.
I couldn't get my joystick to work. I finally got it to work after digging for hours thorough message board hell. Even then, I attribute the fix more to luck than anything.
I can only import pics from my digital camera when I run GTKam as root.
Limewire only works when run as root, as well.
gDesklets were significantly more complicated to configure and run than my experience with Konfabulator with my Mac (which was a no-brainer).
I still can't get my printer to work.
My parents had bought me a new sound card for my 16th birthday. I was in the process of installing it when my little brother came by to watch and accidentally dropped his entire plate of cake and ice cream into the open case. After totally freaking out and yelling at him, I cleaned out as much as I could, removed the motherboard and ISA cards, wiped them clean, and let it sit overnight. The next morning I put it all back together and it worked fine. I used the computer for several more years afterward.
I completely disagree with you, but man, am I happy to see conversations like this in Slashdot.
Anarchy and Christianity by Jacques Ellul.
The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy.
Both great books. Christianity and Anarchism have a lot more in common than you'd think. "Should" anyways.
Anarchist FAQ
Yeah, I'm usually either no@way.com or fuck@off.com which is pretty awesome.
I had a decent 386 laptop in High School. One day while playing DOOM I got upset and threw a pen at the screen. Bad idea. It blew out a few pixels, which then glowed a bright orange. After a few days I realized that the spot was actually spreading. After about a year it had covered almost half the screen, leaving it pretty much useless. Every time I had to use it and saw the damage I had caused, it was kind of a reminder as to what happens when I allow my temper to get the best of me...
Microsoft has a program called FreshStart where they provide an OS, license and documentation, free of charge, to K-12 schools for donated computers.
Microsoft FreshStart
If one of the computers on a network has a worm and is trying to send it out to the other computers on the network, how can I monitor this?
Can anyone link to any documentation on how to make a Linux firewall?
Actually, I already replaced a W2k Server with a Linux machine. I learned Samba. I've never setup a proper firewall, that's on my list for the coming year. I've written many database applications for web (php/mysql), I have done that freelance for a few years. I've done a lot of other things I never dreamed I would be doing, and many other things I didn't even know were there to learn.
We will be implementing Apple's PowerSchool over the summer. I'm the sole lead on that project...I'm sure I'll learn something.
But anyway, you're right, there really is still a lot I could do. And yes, the salary thing definitely cramps my style! I'd probably stay here forever if it wern't for that.
I am the sysadmin at a small K-12. I support about 70 computers, two networks, and a few servers. It was my first sysadmin job and I just finished my first year there. I kind of fell into the job almost on accident, my specialty is web development. I have always been passionate about IT in general, but my sysadmin knowledge and experience was quite limited when I started. I've learned a ton and it's been great. I picked up a couple of cert books just for reference and it is true that they were helpful for teaching the fundamentals, and filling in a few gaps.
However, after a year there, I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of things to learn. I feel I have the basics down, but our limited tech budget means we are quite far from having the latest and greatest technology. I am considering certs right now, even though they will not benefit my current job. When I start to look for a new job it would be nice to have a jumpstart on some of the technology that is not available here.
Does this make sense? Does anyone have a recommendation for where a 1-2 year sysadmin should start heading?
Palm Desktop or iCal. Woo hoo!
For security purposes, I want to have my w2k machines running Firefox with the latest Service Packs and Windows Updates. How am I supposed to load Windows Updates when the website just appears blank in Firefox?
And no the problem is not that zeldman (etc) load slowly, they scroll very slowly once the information has loaded. This does not occur with IE.
After installing Firefox on a PC at work, I wanted to run a Windows Update but when you visit the link, the screen is just blank. What's up with that?
I've also noticed that some sites (like Zeldman.com) are very slow and practically unusable.
I've been in love with Firefox for about a month now. I am the sysadmin at a small K-12, and as soon as 1.0 comes out, I'm replacing IE with it on all 60+ of the school PCs. Just replace the icon with the "e" logo and no one is the wiser (I think Joe Average just equates the "e" with "internet" anyway). I've already tested it with a few people and nobody has even commented on it being different. Once they learn about tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, etc, I'm sure they'll love it. And the thought of not having to constantly clean malware / spyware / hijacks off everyone's systems makes me want to do a little dance.
I've wanted to replace IE for a long time, and I think Firefox is the one that's gonna do it (Mozilla has always been too awkward and quirky).
Not eveyone cares only about money.
Some people believe that music is more than just a commodity to be consumed, defecated, and thrown away.
Some people have no interest whatsoever in pop culture, fake artists, and songwriters employed by major record companies.
Some people's favorite bands spend their lives under the radar of the mainstream culture. They record albums, play thousands of shows, and make litte or no money (but occasionally lots). They are happy to do this for years. They even purposefully, repeatedly TURN DOWN contracts they are offered by major labels. Why? Because they care about music, art, THE SWEET ROCK, the fans, culture, their integrity, and their very souls, much more than they care about the Almighty Dollar.
It's a fact that most bands that do sign to major labels are totally fucked.
(Pardon the double post, this is the properly formatted version. Why doesn't /. recognize line breaks? Errr.)
A Discourse On The Commodification Of Music
Or
... because I WIN." This and many other catch phrases were some of the shameless mental foreplay tactics I experienced. We played games with A&R types and others like a game of courtship with a woman, where you can let your thoughts of fondness remain hidden. They moved deftly to avoid commitments yet brought us flowers and lusty chocolates.
... then do your art." In that moment, I silently thanked him for his honesty and understood the game and its formula for success. No matter who you are and how passionate you are, you must first provide what the culture-sellers want in the form of their current formula of composition and a sound
A Call To Arms
by Demosthenes / FCI
PART 1: DEFINITION/STATE OF THE UNION
Music: an expression of humanity, escape, a soundtrack to life, deep passion.... Purpose: to share ideas, stories, and create a common bond between peoples and groups of people....
In the year 2002, the practices of the music industry have gone astray from developing artists and supporting a musical community. Instead, priorities have shifted to create easy-to-swallow compositions and commodify trends in order to simply reach the capitalist ultimatum of creating wealth most completely and efficiently. Music is commodified under the rules of large media companies, and as many have heard before, "an album as a complete body of work by an artist" isn't as important as its internal reference as a "unit." Note that a unit is also what cereal companies consider a box of cereal in your grocery store: simply units to consume, defecate, and throw away.
Now, this revelation didn't come to me without experience. I, for one, had the thought that perhaps things truly were different, that an artist can truly function within the framework of the culture-machines that we have today. My experience had me existing for a short while in the media Babylon of Los Angeles. Surrounded by many other souls attempting to live their dreams, achieve their creative nirvana, and, yes, make boatloads of money. The actual climate coupled with the mental landscape created a virtual world of escapism where people could expose their eccentricities for all to see. This insular city had its own way of thinking and perceiving the world. Seeing that the general populace of Earth consumes what is created out of this area like starving wolves, it is unavoidable not to be under the influence of its haze of grandiosity. I didn't realize it at the time, but even I got caught up in the currents of achieving "success" along with the myriad masses around me, drunk on visions and possibilities as if the gods slipped ethereal ambrosia into my water.
I was whisked away to a magnificent studio with a larger budget than anything I have ever been a part of musically, simply to create a three-song demonstration for the higher-ups to decide whether the music I was a part of was a viable investment. Our "demo" was a well-produced masterpiece of rock n' roll with Pro-Tooled vocals and spliced choruses; we were the perfect versions of our selves, humans that make no flaws.
We flew to New York City and were put up in a fancy designer hotel in Times Square to showcase ourselves for the important decision makers and strategically meet with others in the "industry." I experienced the ego-stroking that you only hear about but never really believe is reality: for example, a man, sitting across from me, looking me straight into the eyes with fervor in his voice, braying, "I am going to take you to the top
The moment of truth while in the den of wolves came when one particular shiny-headed higher-up, who referred to pop icon Brittney Spears by first-name basis "Brittney" (the following quote is enhanced if read with a tenor smoker's voice and a slight New York accent), said to us, "Give us the song
A Discourse On The Commodification Of Music Or A Call To Arms by Demosthenes / FCI PART 1: DEFINITION/STATE OF THE UNION Music: an expression of humanity, escape, a soundtrack to life, deep passion.... Purpose: to share ideas, stories, and create a common bond between peoples and groups of people.... In the year 2002, the practices of the music industry have gone astray from developing artists and supporting a musical community. Instead, priorities have shifted to create easy-to-swallow compositions and commodify trends in order to simply reach the capitalist ultimatum of creating wealth most completely and efficiently. Music is commodified under the rules of large media companies, and as many have heard before, "an album as a complete body of work by an artist" isn't as important as its internal reference as a "unit." Note that a unit is also what cereal companies consider a box of cereal in your grocery store: simply units to consume, defecate, and throw away. Now, this revelation didn't come to me without experience. I, for one, had the thought that perhaps things truly were different, that an artist can truly function within the framework of the culture-machines that we have today. My experience had me existing for a short while in the media Babylon of Los Angeles. Surrounded by many other souls attempting to live their dreams, achieve their creative nirvana, and, yes, make boatloads of money. The actual climate coupled with the mental landscape created a virtual world of escapism where people could expose their eccentricities for all to see. This insular city had its own way of thinking and perceiving the world. Seeing that the general populace of Earth consumes what is created out of this area like starving wolves, it is unavoidable not to be under the influence of its haze of grandiosity. I didn't realize it at the time, but even I got caught up in the currents of achieving "success" along with the myriad masses around me, drunk on visions and possibilities as if the gods slipped ethereal ambrosia into my water. I was whisked away to a magnificent studio with a larger budget than anything I have ever been a part of musically, simply to create a three-song demonstration for the higher-ups to decide whether the music I was a part of was a viable investment. Our "demo" was a well-produced masterpiece of rock n' roll with Pro-Tooled vocals and spliced choruses; we were the perfect versions of our selves, humans that make no flaws. We flew to New York City and were put up in a fancy designer hotel in Times Square to showcase ourselves for the important decision makers and strategically meet with others in the "industry." I experienced the ego-stroking that you only hear about but never really believe is reality: for example, a man, sitting across from me, looking me straight into the eyes with fervor in his voice, braying, "I am going to take you to the top ... because I WIN." This and many other catch phrases were some of the shameless mental foreplay tactics I experienced. We played games with A&R types and others like a game of courtship with a woman, where you can let your thoughts of fondness remain hidden. They moved deftly to avoid commitments yet brought us flowers and lusty chocolates.
The moment of truth while in the den of wolves came when one particular shiny-headed higher-up, who referred to pop icon Brittney Spears by first-name basis "Brittney" (the following quote is enhanced if read with a tenor smoker's voice and a slight New York accent), said to us, "Give us the song ... then do your art." In that moment, I silently thanked him for his honesty and understood the game and its formula for success. No matter who you are and how passionate you are, you must first provide what the culture-sellers want in the form of their current formula of composition and a sound loaded with sonic MSG. To make a long story short, things deteriorated after that and we weren't the next investment for whatever reason. I split from this musical group and went back happily to w
Instead of writing crappy music and trying to be superstars by selling their souls to the record company, maybe they could try writing honest music and making an honest living off it. It is possible.
Yeah, these are very good points. The problem is that we have government funds to spend, and had a deadline. We had to make a fast decision, and it was decided to purchase Office. If I had had more time I would have attempted to make a more convincing case. I will keep these points in mind the next time something comes up.
Already I have replaced a W2K server with RH9/Samba, which is working out very well. And I am in the process of integrating Mozilla (or FireFox) and Thunderbird instead of IE and Outlook. Most of the staff doesn't care, as long as it works. So I'm all about open source solutions.
I have a couple of teachers "test driving" complete Linux desktops.
Are there any good open source anti-virus programs out there? We could sure use one.
I am the sysadmin for a private, non-profit k-12 in upstate NY. We operate on a shoestring budget. This year we spent thousdands of dollars to license Office 2000 for about 50 computers. I had mentioned to the Principal about using OpenOffice or some other open source suite, which would obviously be free. He was concerned that in the "real world" people use MS Office and the students would have a hard time working between different versions. Also the same problem currently existed because many of the students had MS Office at home. So the idea was shot down after only a few seconds. I didn't know how to convince him otherwise.
Don't setup individual accounts! That would be incredibly time consuming. I would definitely have Student and Administrator accounts. You can set the Student preferences in System Preferences - Accounts. You can set limits on what they can do and what programs they can run (Capabilities).
If you have a budget and some time to learn, creating a Disk Image on a Firewire drive would be a great idea. Basically: Get everything working perfectly, make a disk image of the system, store it on the firewire drive and when something goes wrong down the line, just install the disk image. Within a few minutes you'll have your system right back where it was, without having to re-install everything from scratch, which could take hours. Try Carbon Copy Cloner and NetRestore from Bombich Software. Both are free! The firewire drive might put you back $150 but it's well worth it.
Average users were tech savvy back when typical computer games required DOS 5, 639k RAM available out of 640k total, and Extended and Expanded memory. Not to mention that if you wanted sound, you had to buy a $200 sound card, and make sure the DMA, IRQ and COM jumpers were configured correctly...this was before Plug N Play. And don't forget editing your autoexec.bat and config.sys to ensure your mouse, joystick, and sound card are all configured when your computer boots up.
Yes! Qbasic is easy to learn, instantly gratifying, and surprisingly powerful if you want to dig in. It's a great place to start...it's where I started. Easily downloaded for freehere. You can also easily find it on the Windows 95 disc.