Interactive whiteboards with Ubuntu

[Veli-Matti Lintu]

> We have been testing the whiteboards now for a couple of weeks and it
> looks like most of the models can be made to work. Right now we have
> only problems with Cleverboard models. We have now Mimio, Promethean
> and Smartboard models running on normal Ubuntu 10.04 installation
> and on LTSP fat clients. Some of the installation packages require
> fixes to work correctly and we have given feedback to the vendors.
> We are waiting for some fixes before we finish the testing as some
> of the problems affect LTSP usage.

We are finally getting testing finished and here are the results for Smartboard, Promethean and Mimio. Cleverboard articles need still some work before we can publish them:

http://www.opinsys.fi/en/interactive-whiteboards-on-linux-test-results
http://www.opinsys.fi/en/smartboard-on-linux-test-results
http://www.opinsys.fi/en/promethean-on-linux-test-results
http://www.opinsys.fi/en/mimio-on-linux-test-results

The articles have way too many details to summarise everything here. Technically Smartboard, Promethean and Mimio all worked, but depending on the use case some are better than others. We really cannot say that one would be always better than the others. Linux support is getting better, but all the packages still have problems. Smartboard packages are the best for LTSP usage, but others can be made to work with LTSP also. Details on how to fix the packages for LTSP usage are still under work as we wait for possible fixes from the manufacturers.

We still have the test hardware in our lab if something specific should be tested. Don't be shy if you want to know more. All testing was done on Ubuntu 10.04.

Happy hacking!

Veli-Matti