Edubuntu for libraries

[jelkner at divmod.com]

Hi Zeb,

I don't know what your time frame is, but I would encourage you to wait a few months before making a decision.  The first release of Edubuntu ("Breezy") is not really ready for use in a public space like  a library since it lacks many of the features that would be needed, including the ability to secure the desktop.  It also does not provide any way to save data on local storage devices.

Both of those features may be ready by the Spring ("Dapper") release.  We will know by mid February what will make it into this release and what won't.

All in all, Edubuntu is an amazing piece of technology, which even in its first release (after only 3 months of development time) is fully ready for a classroom setting.  Stay tuned for news on "Dapper" as it develops.

Thanks for you interest in Edubuntu,

jeff elkner

On Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:56:53 -0500, Kevin Cole <kjcole at gri.gallaudet.edu> wrote:
>
>Zeb Smith wrote:
>
>> Hello all. I work for the Newton Falls Public Library as Systems
>> Administrator. I’m very strongly considering using Edubuntu on the
>> public computers here. I have already switched to OpenOffice and various
>> other open source applications…. but the machines still run Windows as
>> the OS. My main concern about switching to Linux is that with Windows, I
>> can lock down settings such as web browser configuration, desktop
>> backgrounds and such so that patrons can not tamper with them. I’ve been
>> using kubuntu on my own computers for some time now, but have not found
>> a way to configure it similarly. If anyone can offer insight on this,
>> the advice would be most appreciated.
>>
>> Thank you,
>
>A few people here in Washington, DC have set up Edubuntu in two public
>libraries, and a community center.  I've passed your question on to one of
>them.  Since it's designed for classrooms (among other places), it has some
>elements that prevent little rug-rats from messing things up too badly.
>
>> W. Zebulon Smith
>> Systems Manager
>> Newton Falls Public Library
>> 204 South Canal Street
>> Newton Falls, OH 44444-1694
>> Phone: (330)872-1282
>> Fax: (330)872-9153
>> www.newtonfalls.org <http://www.newtonfalls.org>
>
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