Re: YaST Education Module

Hi Jeff, james

On Mi 06 Mai 2009 00:32:16 CEST Jeff Shantz <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 11:22 AM, James Tremblay aka SLEducator
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> when a user decides to use the "add on " feature the YaST module should
>> provide four basic patterns

I'm sorry, but I don't think we need this. I know that James always  
"figthing" against our existing patterns (sometimes he tells me he's  
not seeing them at all ;-) but I think we've covered this area already.

If we need improvements here, I see the following options:
* improve the current patterns (available in our SVN resp. in the  
Education repository as packages patterns-education-desktop and  
patterns-education-server)
* improve the automatic activation of the patterns if a user adds the Add-On
* write a special YaST Module which includes in the initial  
installation workflow and shows a list of extra applications
* create different sets of CDs/DVDs - for example:
** Server-CD: just containing what's needed for a school server (and  
even here I see different target groups...)
** Desktop-DVD for grade 6 classes
** Desktop-DVD for higher grade classes
^^ all those CDs/DVDs could be Live-DVDs including the  
YaST-Live-Installer - it's just a question of time until someone in  
our comunity asks who they can be created...


>> 4) server - based on the openschoolserver from Extis
>> http://www.openschoolserver.net/ , including choices for an SIS (student
>> information system) Class or openSIS, School administrative software like
>
> This is interesting.  I haven't seen openschoolserver or openSIS
> before, but I see from your profile that were/are involved in openSIS
> development.  Perhaps we could chat more about how it could be
> integrated into the education module once I've had a chance to explore
> openSIS a bit.  From my limited knowledge of openSIS, I am assuming
> you just envision that when the user selects "Server" in the education
> module, it simply initiates the installation of the Base Application
> edition of openSIS, and then informs the user of the URL to which they
> can browse in order to continue configuration within openSIS.  Does
> this sound reasonable, or do you envision the module going more deeply
> into openSIS configuration?
>
> Thanks for your comments.

My original idea behind the YaST-Education module:
* first provide a solution for home users
* afterwards think about improving the module (if needed) for a  
complete school

Why? Because my personal view shows that many distributions try to get  
into schools - and not many trying to get on the PCs in the nursery...

So from my point of view, here's a list of requirements. Main goal:  
provide parents with a way to control settings for their children in  
openSUSE!

Includes (this is not final):
* activate a "kiosk like" desktop (Sugar?) to simplify the kids desktop
* set system restrictions to allow only launching specific applications
* limit the access to the PC for a set amount of time per day or week
* include "Bedtime" limit (don't use the computer at night...)
* restrict internet connection:
** use squidGuard for blocking/filtering URLs (or use whitelists)...
** use Firewall settings for blocking/filtering Email, IRC, Chat, ...
** Use a logfile or a "popup" to show kids and parents that (and why)  
a webpage is blocked - and "relink" them to a (YaST-) Module to allow  
that page (temporary).

The points on this list are IMO very important for home users. ...and  
IMO the same rules apply for schools. Think about "Kiosk-Computers" in  
a school cafeteria or think about computer lessons, where a teacher  
wants to show/allow only a specific application.
Think about schools allowing their students a limited set of pages  
printed out on the school printer...


With kind regards,
Lars