TCLUG Archive
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: [TCLUG:435] High School needs Linux info
Hi,
Here are some of my goofy ideas:
1) Depending on the amount of onboard video RAM, you may not need to upgrade the video. 1M VRAM will support 1024x768x256 I believe. On a 486, running a high-color mode will slow things way down IMHO.
2) I would spend some money on a few large hard drives for the servers. Lots of students means lots of data!
3) Invest in a good tape backup system! Not only will it save you from data loss due to hardware failures, but also can lead to less whining after somebody deletes their own files or misconfigures their system.
4) Keep the configuration of each machine as similar as possible. That way when you make a configuration change, you don't have to figure out 40 different ways to make the change on each different setup.
5) RAM upgrades can give an older system a real performance boost under Linux. Less swap = more apparent performance.
6) Don't be afraid to look at some commercial Linux software. You mentioned StarOffice; consider also LinuxCad (www.linuxcad.com) for drafting. Many Linux software vendors offer deep educational discounts.
Sounds like fun!
Jim Walters
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Wilson [SMTP:wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 1998 10:05 PM
To: tclug-list@listserv.real-time.com
Subject: [TCLUG:435] High School needs Linux info
Hi everyone,
My name is Tim Wilson, I teach physics and 9th grade science at Henry
Sibley High School down in West St. Paul/Mendota Heights. I've been
reading the messages on this list with interest. I'm sure that 95% of
you know much more than I do about administering a Linux system. I'd
like to get your input on a particularly interesting "problem": I've
got a bunch of donated computers, and I'd like to turn them into a
Linux-based LAN in our science department.
If you're like me (and I know I am), you would have loved to have had
access to a UNIX box while in high school. I've got a bunch of kids who
are interested in learning to build and maintain a TCP/IP network. I'd
like to get them involved in web development and programming projects.
I've got a great room that can be used as a lab. There's room for 24
computers or so. In addition, our science department has another,
smaller student resource area that could use a few workstations, about
10 classrooms, and a couple other labs where a computer might be helpful
for doing labs. Several of us would like to use the Pentiums on our
desks in our classrooms for demos or presentations. I've got a perfect
spot for a wiring closet (close to the lab, but secure). I'm less than
100m from the main servers in the building where I would connect for
internet access.
I'd like to do this project right. I've got $9200 to spend on additional
hardware. How can I get the most "bang for the buck"? I've got some
ideas, but I'd like to get some input from others. Here's a basic
inventory of what hardware I've got:
* 37 Compaq 486DX-33 computers (slimline cases), 16 MB RAM, 235 MB HD,
on-board video, on-board disk controllers
* 7 Compaq 486SX-33 computers (slimline cases), 8-16 MB RAM, 120-250 MB
HD, on-
board video, on-board disk controllers
* 32 Compaq 14" monitors, multi-sync
* 27 NICs (3C509B, 3C503, SMC 8013WC, SMC 3016TP, SMC 8416T)
* 24 mice (2-button, PS/2)
* 2 SMC 12-port, 10base-T ethernet hubs
* 2 barebones Pentium-90 motherboards, incl. case and keyboard, no RAM,
HD,
or video
* 2 barebones Pentium-133 motherboards (Socket-7), incl. case and
keyboard,
no RAM, HD, or video
* 1 Socket-7 motherboard, incl. case and keyboard (no RAM, HD, or video)
Here are some initial thoughts, please feel free to comment:
* I'll need new video cards (probably 2 MB) to make it possible to run
X.
* Computers probably will be treated as thin clients: most
applications, except maybe Netscape, sitting on the server
(probably including StarOffice)
* I've got free help from our distric tech guy and some NetDay guys to
pull the
wires. I can run them around above a suspended ceiling so it shouldn't
be
too hard.
Well, what do you think? I'm looking forward to the next TCLUG meeting.
I'd love to discuss this more in person. I'm really fired up about this
project. We're gonna have some fun!
Later,
Tim
--
Timothy Wilson | Powered by Linux | Check out:
Henry Sibley High School | | http://www.redhat.org
West St. Paul, MN USA | The choice of | http://www.linux.org
wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu | a GNU generation | http://gnu.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe@listserv.real-time.com
For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help@listserv.real-time.com
Try our website: http://tclug.real-time.com
application/ms-tnef