Tablet Planning and Ideas/Suggestions

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m (Added QGRUBEditor to General gripes)
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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.
 
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 [http://sourceforge.net/projects/explore2fspe/ Explore2fs] for accessing it through windows.
 
 
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...
 
 
I think I'll just create the NTFS partition using a GParted LiveCD, and then install Gutsy from scratch.  Anything special I should know about installing from scratch?
 
  
 
==Programs to consider installing on Linux==
 
==Programs to consider installing on Linux==
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* [[Abiword]] - GNOME alternative to Word, not as bad as OO.o Writer
 
* [[Abiword]] - GNOME alternative to Word, not as bad as OO.o Writer
 
* [[Inkscape]] - Vector graphics editing program with which we should all be familiar
 
* [[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.
 
 
I am running it right now on my 4200, and it seems to do okay.  I will definitely make sure that it runs on Gutsy (I'm gonna try to do a fresh install) without lagging the system.
 
  
 
==General gripes==
 
==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.
 
- I think the majority of users will be using Synaptic or Add/Remove Programs in Linux, so I wouldn't mind being prompted for a password to change the system.  It will also keep malicious users out too.
 
  
 
* 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?
* A GUI for editing grub, so beginning users don't feel left out.  A possibility is located on the UbuntuForums.org website, as well as the program QGRUBEditor, although it uses QT instead of GTK (making it slightly more crash-prone).  This will be included in the Spring 2008 image, but rarely referenced or used due to the author's unfamiliarity with the program. This should be resolved by the Fall 2008 image.
+
* Get right clicking working, as described in the [http://ticc.mines.edu/csm/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423 forums].

Revision as of 18:06, 24 April 2008

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.

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

General gripes

  • mathematica - have to VPN to use it outside of Mines. It is possible to get the license for each machine?
  • Get right clicking working, as described in the forums.
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