It is great to see so much excitement on the Linux issue in school systems.
There have been many questions on what and how can Linux be used in a School
environment. Many people have given some good ideas but, I can not use them because
of the limits at this point.
Here are some things that I need, and if Linux can accomplish this than I might be
able to use it.
Below are the systems and programs that I need and what requirements that I am
looking for.
Emial:
1. The ability to share folders, calendar, and group lists.
2. Able to use aliases for email, a nice way to have a list.
3. The mail needs to be read from the work place (with the email client: IE:
Outlook or Eudora) and with a web interface. This will allow teachers at conferences
to read the email and not have to configure a email client when they travel.
4. Easy administration. I have used Imail from Ipswith. This product was extremely
easy to manage. I would like to use more Linux systems but, if my administrators can
not handle the OS then what good would it be for us.
5. Email addresses, I need something that will keep the addresses on the server.
That way if you use a client to read your email and you have your addresses there,
well that is nice until you travel. Groupwise maintains email addresses on the
server. If you use the web interface you still have access to your saved addresses.
I looked at Byrnai server ( they have a new server product now. It was 600 for
unlimited users now you have to pay extra for large amounts of users on your system)
the server does not come with a web interface to read your mail. There are some
Linux software that you can use to read vie web but, the addresses are not there.
This will not work for teachers here.
I have looked at Star Office but, I can not find a server software to run as the
back end. I can not afford to have 30 different systems or software packages to
accomplish one thing.
When we were looking for a new email system it came down to Exchange and Groupwise.
If there is some Linux packages that could accomplish what Exchange and Groupwise
can do, then I will look at it. I am not saying I prefer MS stuff, just that at this
point MS seems to be the answer at this point.
Web Server
1. I need software that I can have multiple web sites on it and the ability to use
software to create and mange web sites. Something similar to Front Page. All the
teachers will have their own web site for their classes. I can not have software
that is complex and difficult for them to use. Also, I need to be able to set
permissions on each site with the users Domain user name and password. If I change
(or the teacher) their password on the PDC or domain, then I need it to update that
though the other systems. I can not have teachers with password to login and a
different own to get access to their web site. Most of the teachers forget their
passwords after a summer as it is. If I had to do password changes on every system
they have access to, then my staff would spend 25% of their time with password
changes.
And the number one kicker of them all, I need something to run the education
software that most classes are based on. For example, Math Blaster will not run on a
Linux system. I have to use it because of the embedded education structure for the
classes.
Well there are some concerns of mine. I would be more than happy to talk to someone
about these issues or even go to a KLUG meeting so we candiscuses them.
I am open to suggestions and welcome some critical thinking.
I am willing to go forward with Linux in a education system, and see where this
takes us. If anyone has some suggestions on what we can do from here, then let me
know and I will see what we can do.
Scott