Does Open Source make life easy????

[CET]

Dear all 

 

Thank you for your feedback, I have learned something like how to save
openoffice document such that I could open it in Ms Word, because I did not
know I was frustrated. I have also seen some emotion from some people; I
would say what I wrote was my experience, my frustration. Its not like I was
trying to look down on Open Source developer no. I do love open source and
its not odd. 

About getting help well it depends on which country you live in, like myself
I live in Swaziland we lack the expertise you call anyone especially people
working in computer shops you ask how something is done in open source but
nothing. I have also been deep in the internet I would not find help, I want
to confess that I have'nt find any help from the internet, it is link after
link very frustrating.  One good example I wanted to know- how to use ISO
master after downloading I just could not find it from the numerous links.

 

On a positive note I am convinced my problem will be solved, please allow me
to invite you to the project that I want to embark on, as this is going to
make history in my country. I am working for Computer Education Trust (CET)
in Swaziland. This is a non profit making organization installing
refurbished computers to secondary and high schools in the country. I want
to go open source and network the computers in all the schools.

 

In July- September 2007, with my technicians who are not linux gurus we
tried to setup an small network of three clients and server in the office.  

 

We used edubuntu server 7.04 on the server, edubuntu desktop for the
clients. 

We used wireless network interface cards which comes with windows drivers.
But luckily Edubuntu 7.04 does have Linux drivers for the wireless (CNet
CWP-854). We wanted to boot from the network. But PXE is not supported. The
clients are mainly p2 and p3. Another thing, we were hoping to get a small
iso image that could be used in the clients instead of installing the full
edubuntu desktop which also have all the application programs that are in
the edubuntu server. We were able to find an operating system hurd-tiny-cd
20060722.iso.gz, unfortunately this os does not have drivers for the
wireless. We don't have the expertise to bind the drivers. We looked in the
internet but we could not find how to bind the drivers. From July to
September we tried but with no luck and we decided to abandon the project
and continue with the day to day management of CET.  You can imagine the
frustration, the stress and headaches of chasing links and links. With
schools closing early December we are hoping to resume the project.  But I
must say I am counting on you in achieving this project.

Please help we need to set up this network - open source and wireless. 

 

Can we please work together in this project and please don't ask why I don't
use cables? I have 300 wireless cards and fifteen access points that have to
be put in 15 schools, what can I do with this equipment if it can all fail?

 

Thanks 

 

Sibongile Kunene

 

 

 

 

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