Tablet Planning and Ideas/Suggestions
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* network-manager is a piece of crap - not much we can do until GNOME updates | * network-manager is a piece of crap - not much we can do until GNOME updates | ||
* logged in as root user by default - !!! Some exploits only work when logged in as root !!! | * logged in as root user by default - !!! Some exploits only work when logged in as root !!! | ||
| − | + | - Edit: Linux doesn't log in as root by default. Yes, windows logs in as Administrator, but do we want to field 10 million questions about installing software. | |
| − | want to field 10 million questions about installing software. | + | |
* mathematica - have to VPN to use it outside of Mines. It is possible to get the license for each machine? | * mathematica - have to VPN to use it outside of Mines. It is possible to get the license for each machine? | ||
Revision as of 23:05, 9 December 2007
Contents |
Add handwriting recognition (CellWriter)
To get the most out of tablets, add a handwriting recognition program to them. CellWriter will work for Linux, if nobody has any better ideas. Should get it to at least start in the tray on system boot, and for login screen.
Check the Linux Tablet FAQ for install information.
Include a few network printers in Linux
Use the CUPS GUI to add printers for rooms like MH339 or MH364. This will almost definitely work only after VPNing in, but its easier than emailing it around and logging onto computers in the lab just to print something. It does have the potential for abuse, but which student prints what should be tracked already - if it's not, it needs to be.
Nix the FAT32 partition in favor of a large switch partition
Format it with ReiserFS, and install Explore2fs for accessing it through windows.
KLarson edit: Um...Reiser in Windows...doesn't sound good to us at the meeting. Come next time you want to "plead your case". Instead, Paul suggests deleting the D: partition, making a large NTFS partition, and using FUSE in Linux...
Programs to consider installing on Linux
- KTechLab - Electronics CAD, available from Ubuntu repos
- Maxima or Sage - Open source Mathematica alternatives
- CellWriter - see above
- Wine - For running Windows programs with no Linux/GPL software alternatives on Linux
- VirtualBox - Open source x86 Virtualizer for Linux
- Kile - Full-featured LaTeX editor
- Winefish - GNOME LaTeX editor
- Gnumeric - GNOME alternative to Excel, not as bad as OO.o Calc
- Abiword - GNOME alternative to Word, not as bad as OO.o Writer
- Inkscape - Vector graphics editing program with which we should all be familiar
Desktop Effects
Should we enable desktop effects by default? I know Gutsy does this, but it does decrease the battery life to about 3 hours (not that that's terrible).
edit: Um...the 4200s may not have the hardware to do this. For simplicity, this was nixed.
General gripes
- network-manager is a piece of crap - not much we can do until GNOME updates
- logged in as root user by default - !!! Some exploits only work when logged in as root !!!
- Edit: Linux doesn't log in as root by default. Yes, windows logs in as Administrator, but do we want to field 10 million questions about installing software.
- mathematica - have to VPN to use it outside of Mines. It is possible to get the license for each machine?
