[Lias] Hi and Query Re GNU/Linux Project in Public High School, Darwin, NT, AU

[Ben Minton]

Hi All.

My name is Ben and I am a member of my local LUG, the Darwin Linux Users 
Group, (www.darlug.org). I was fortunate to be sponsored by Sun Microsystems 
Australia to attend the LCA 2004 and had a great time. Since returning to 
Darwin, the Nothern Territory, I have been thinking of a suitable project to 
introduce a version of GNU/Linux into a local high school.

My daughter attends a public high school which is currently MS vendor 
supported and configured. I am interested in getting a stand alone box, 
air-gapped (initially) from the school LAN with either RedHat or The Java 
Desktop System from Sun. The whole concept is to provide an alternative 
platform for students to experience graphics/art and other digital media and 
to provide a stable 'sandbox' for them to play with, without having the 
issue of trashing a school funded system or box.

Although the school has an Apple Macinstosh lab for graphics and Adobe 
Photoshop & Illustrator on the Win system, there is no ability to the 
students to get a copy of the software they use at school and load it onto 
their home PCs, thus limiting their potential to really explore and learn.

While obviously The Gimp is not currently as sophisticated as some of the 
other vendors applications, it is capable with experience of very high 
quality effects and obviously is virtually, free.

Has anyone heard of another person or organisation doing a similar type 
project, either here (AU) or elsewhere? I feel that some kids at this school 
may be missing out exposure to alternative and equally effective 
applications, due to financial constraints and the lack of publicity by the 
OSS Community.

I have spoken to the school ICT Coordinator, who is very interested in such 
a project. Any help, comments or criticism gratefully welcomed.

Regards, Ben

Ben Minton
Darwin, Australia
benminton at hotmail.com

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