[Inschool] recap:Saturday at Grace Baptist School

[randy perry]

Grace Baptist was donated a number of computers that came with no OS's. 
In a forward thinking motion, they recognize the value of OpenSource
solutions and OS/application alternatives.

It was decided that we would incorporate Linux into their environment,
instead of purchasing outdated Windows98 licenses.  OpenOffice is the
suite of choice and will replace even the pre-existing installs of MS
Office on their Windows PCs (which we will replace later).

The school was donated a 10BaseT Cisco Catalyst to support this
classroom.  10/100 Nic cards (Realtek 8139 base) were purchased last
minute for $9 each (same cards can be had cheaper, I know). 

After taking inventory of some hardware, we performed installs of ASP
Linux 7.2 and RedHat Linux 7.1.  The machines will all endup using
RedHat 7.2, but we wanted to contrast the installs (and didn't have alot
of media).  

Not all machines were loaded, and the server didn't get setup before
running out of time.  The students who use the lab will be able to
participate in the effort to finish the installs. (less the server).

All-in-all it was a great day.  It is exciting to see young minds
exposed to more alternate solutions and to be taught how to use a WORD
PROCESSOR program and not a SPECIFIC application.  The real value is in
learning how to adapt to different tools that all accomplish the same
task.

Randall Perry
www.Davenport.edu
www.domain-logic.com