Edubuntu Launch Traget Market & the tuXlabs Cookbook

[Jane Weideman]

Hi all.

As already discussed with some of you:
The Shuttleworth Foundation's tuXlabs project has produced a fantastic
and comprehensive how-to manual for setting up an OSS computer lab,
based on their wealth of knowledge and experience with this.
See:
http://www.upfrontsystems.co.za/Members/jean/cookbook/docbook/cookbook.html

We have been exploring the possibility of utilising this invaluable
source of information to the benefit of Edubuntu as well.
The thinking being that Edubuntu may be more widely and successfully
adopted, if there is an instruction manual with it. Especially in the
case of new adopters who have little/no experience with OSS, or possibly
even ICT in general.

The tuXlabs team have done a lot of work around formulating a solid,
repeatable, and supportable OSS lab implementation model. This includes
all aspects from a Linux Introduction to Power Requirements and Physical
Security considerations, right through to Networking and Server & LTSP
configs etc. 

The tuXlabs project http://www.tuxlabs.org/ , is a non-profit project,
which up to now has focused on school installations within the boundries
of South Africa, however the model they have formulated can be applied
where ever an OSS computer lab is required.
Once edubuntu is released, the tuXlabs are intending to adopt edubuntu
in their lab build as well. However for now the cookbook is angled
towards the current architechure which is a little different. The
cookbook also currently contains some tuXlab and Shuttleworth Foundation
specifics.

For Edubuntu's purposes the cookbook would therefore require a revision
and possibly some editing to make it a bit more generic, as well as
giving edubuntu installation and configuration specifics. We will need
some help with this, and have already approached the ubuntu doc team,
but if anyone would like to volunteer to assist it will be greatly
appreciated.

We then also need to decide how to distribute the cookbook:
 * Whether to make it available for download via our website and /or
 * Available in printed format (possibly distributed with the CDs)

Further to this the Edubuntu launch target audience needs to be decided.
After discussions with various people, I am of the opinion that we
should take a conservative approach to the first launch, and possibly
not aim for world domination in the first release ;)

The reason for favouring this approach now, is that we have decided to
keep things simple and contained for the first release, and to build on
that with the next couple of releases. It seems to make sense to me to
stick to the enthusiasts and those really keen to try Edubuntu for this
round, and once we have a tried and tested product with successful
installations, to then start targeting a broader market?

I don't want to be pessimistic, but I think we should take small steady
steps rather than promising the world, and then not being able to meet
expectations?

So my vote is for a small targeted release, rather than a big bang.


Comments, suggestions?

Thanks
JaneW

-- 
JaneW
_____________
Jane Weideman
mobile: +27 83 779 7800
Canonical Ltd.