[ExeterLUG] Exeter LUG Meeting write up.

[Rob Beard]

Daniel Smith <dan at todayintech.co.uk> wrote:
>Hi Rick,
>
>Glad the meeting went well.
>
>How many more PCs do we need as I still have a load of RM Ones here
>that 
>I can test and I have one fully working at the moment? I also have some
>
>laptops, some have various issues but they will need testing.
>
>Kind Regards
>
>Dan
>
>
>On 11/01/2014 13:54, Rick.Timmis wrote:
>> Exeter LUG Meeting write up.
>>
>>
>>
>> The move to our new home has gone reallywell. Harri Sharp met us at 
>> the Exwick Ark pre-school, and we discussed our hopes, along with 
>> their conditons.
>>
>>
>> Lets start with the conditions.
>>
>> .
>>
>> Access to the building is via the Key Holder, Rick T. We have full
>use 
>> of the Kitchen, Conference room, and Office / Workshop. The Kitchen 
>> must always be left in anl 'as we found it' state or better.
>Similarly 
>> with the conference room.
>>
>>
>> Should we come across any personal items belonging to school staff, 
>> these are to be respectful left undisturbed.
>>
>> We can have access to the room any evenings that it is unoccupied; 
>> which currently is all the time. Should the group wish to meet, or 
>> indeed organise events, etc... We do not forsee there being a
>problem.
>>
>>
>> We have been provided with draw space in the kitchen where we can
>keep 
>> our tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate etc...
>>
>> The conference room has Network, and WiFi (once Mark finishes 
>> configuring the access points, thanks Mark). We have the projector, 
>> and a large area of wall. This means that we can do interactive 
>> sessions, like an Introduction to C, or BASH Shell scripting, Well if
>
>> you can think of it and put it into Impress there are desks, with 
>> power and plenty of space for laptops so that we can do things hands
>on.
>>
>>
>> In the office workshop, there are 4 PC workstation which we are 
>> welcome to use, running Linux Mint and a large workbench for
>building, 
>> repairing, and hardware hacking too.
>>
>>
>> We have been given space under the work bench where we can store 
>> computers ready for testing, breaking etc....
>>
>> On the back wall of the workshop we have 3 shelves where we can
>store, 
>> tools, components, and other small items. I would suggest we think 
>> about getting some medium sized containers to house these things and 
>> ensure that they sit nicely on the shelves.
>>
>>
>> THe Arks IT Systems.
>>
>>
>> We are almost there with their system setup, Mark Evans delivered a 
>> Gigabit PCIe Netowrk card for the ltsp server. So it is understood 
>> that we should be able to complete the build on this. We will need to
>
>> pick through the other server items with a view to rescue and repair 
>> what we can. The ARK have asked for 2 thin clients to be set up in
>the 
>> Music room, with the Kids Desktops on them.
>>
>>
>> Ideally it has been suggested that we look to build a samba / Lamp 
>> server to act as a backup machine for the PC's and the LTSP server, 
>> and to handle print sharing.
>>
>>
>> The Ark have also got hold of 4 Smart boards, although they have no 
>> projectors for them yet. Suggestions, and ideas on how to get one of 
>> these up and running for the main hall area would be welcome.
>>
>> Harri asked if would could make one of the PC's dual boot, so that 
>> they can run some communications software they have benen given. I 
>> suggested that we could try installing it in WINE if she provided the
>
>> disks. It's our choice, they would just like to be able to use it. I 
>> understand that Malcom, and Sam may well bring Windows XP OEM install
>
>> discs so that we can setup dual boot machine.s. We have 5 desktops 
>> from Devon Wildlife Trust that have Win XP Licene keys.
>>
>>
>> We agreeded that with regard to the £50 pc programme, these would now
>
>> use Linux Mint the 'Matel edition, and failing that the XFce edition,
>
>> if performance is too low,
>>
>> The feedback we have had so far with Lubuntu has not been that 
>> positive and very often people can't find their way around it.
>>
>>
>> In addition Linux Mint has a very good PDF Manual, that would be very
>
>> easy to develop an introductory course, and with our new facilities
>we 
>> could provide an introductory training course., for those taking a
>£50 
>> PC.
>>
>>
>> More to follow in regard to suggestions for the February meeting and 
>> finishing the Ark Project.
>>
>>
>> Comments and Feedback welcome..
>>
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Rick
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Timmis
>> Abazander.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Exeter mailing list
>> Exeter at mailman.lug.org.uk
>> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/exeter
>
>
>
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Just a thought, XP support ends in April this year, maybe not such a great idea to be installing it.  However educational establishments can get Windows 7 cheap (possibly use the XP licences as a part of a Windows 7 Pro upgrade).

Rob
-- 
Sent from my Sinclair ZX Spectrum
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