21st Century Learning #38: Linux Laptop Program, Interview with Alex Inman

EdTechTalk: 21st Century Learning #38
Linux Laptop Program, Interview with Alex Inman 
April 10, 2007

Alex Inman [6] joined us this week to talk about the Linux laptop program at the Whitfield School [7] in Missouri. Whitfield is an Essential School [8] and they recently began a 1:1 laptop program using SuSE-Linux [9] powered machines along with Citrix [10] running Windows. What does it all mean? Listen to alex talk all about it. He also told us about his consulting group Educational Collaborators [11]. Alex is a great resource, enjoy the show.

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[alex.ragone] Hi achivetta
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[arvind] Alex Inman's blog: http://linuxlaptops.blogspot.com/ [6]
[arvind] Alex school the Whitfield School is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools: http://www.essentialschools.org/ [8]
[arvind] Whitfield School: http://www.whitfieldschool.org/ [7]
[arvind] Alex got the chance to create a new technology plan at Whitfield and began to explore Linux and thinclients for their infrastructure
[alex.ragone] http://citrix.com/lang/English/home.asp [13]
[arvind] Spyware was a major pressure factor in thinking about Citrix (which can be controlled
[arvind] Considered various linux distros. Mandriva, SuSE, RedHat
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[arvind] use them to connect to Citrix. That way local machine wont be totally with spyware
[arvind] Hey Aaron
[arvind] welcome
[mandel.aaron] hi
[mandel.aaron] got to get my audio working.
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[arvind] Hit channel A above. I use the black icon and use iTunes to play it
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[arvind] Aaron, Hit channel A above. I use the black icon and use iTunes to play it
[arvind] We are talking to Alex Inman. His blog is here http://linuxlaptops.blogspot.com/ [6]
[mandel.aaron] all set. thanks
[alex.ragone] Welcome Aaron --- where are you from?
[arvind] great
[mandel.aaron] The Governor's Academy Byfield, MA
[alex.ragone] Great.
[alex.ragone] Thanks for checking in. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. The stream is about 20-40 seconds behind real time.
[alex.ragone] http://www.whitfieldschool.org/LinuxLaptops/Whitfield_Study_Final.doc [14]
[alex.ragone] Laptop Study
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[arvind] hey Jose, welcome
[JoseR] Hi Everyone. Got a few minutes
[alex.ragone] Hi Jose
[arvind] We are talking to Alex Inman. He blogs here http://linuxlaptops.blogspot.com/ [6]
[arvind] Talking about his school and their Linux powered laptop program
[alex.ragone] Let us know if you have any questions.
[JoseR] I loaded linux edubuntu live CD to my daughters laptop
[alex.ragone] http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/ [15]
[arvind] My moms laptop has been running Ubuntu for 2 years now. Never get a tech support call now. With windows that was all the time
[JoseR] I had trouble loading edubuntu on Mac OS 8.4
[JoseR] the stream is cutting on and off
[alex.ragone] http://en.opensuse.org/Welcome_to_openSUSE.org [16]
[arvind] Education part of open suse http://en.opensuse.org/Education [17]
[JoseR] Are they using older laptops or new laptops loaded with linux?
[mandel.aaron] gotta run 2:00 meeting. Keep up the good work!
[mandel.aaron] wish I could stay
[arvind] thanks for coming by aaron
[arvind] will talk to you later
[alex.ragone] Alex's take on PD: http://linuxlaptops.blogspot.com/2007/03/teacher-professional-development.html [18]
[alex.ragone] thanks for stopping by Aaron.
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[JoseR] duo boot seems more friendly for windows users, how about for mac users
[arvind] whats Mac Jose    
[alex.ragone] GimpShop: http://gimpshopdotnet.blogspot.com/ [19]
[JoseR] I am a windows user but I do moonlight on mac
[arvind] i am both for sure
[arvind] trying to add a third with linux
[JoseR] I want to gravitate toward linux in the next year or so
[achivetta] A question for later: what kind of support structure is available to students who have problems or questions about linux? Is there any student involvement in providing such support? (At MICDS, we have a "student tech group" that provides support for student brought laptops (we have seen Windows, OS X and Linux))
[alex.ragone] Achivetta -- where are you from?
[achivetta] MICDS in St. Louis, MO
[alex.ragone] Nice -- welcome!
[achivetta] I am a junior and the co-head of our student tech gruop
[JoseR] We had a tech support group headed by 8th graders on vacation in a year round school
[alex.ragone] Great. Thanks for coming. We'll get that question in.
[JoseR] Leasing is the way to go. I heard about 7th grade laptop program in New Jersey, I think.
[achivetta] Thanks! I have to head out to class now, but I will listen to the podcast later.
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[JoseR] Sorry, recess bell just rang. Back to 19th Century technology. Board, pencil book and teacher
[arvind] Enjoy it
[arvind] Catch the podcast
[alex.ragone] see you jose
[JoseR] later I'll have a listen later, bye
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[arvind] Using Novell iFolder to sync files between home and school commuting http://www.novell.com/products/ifolder/ [20]
[arvind] backing up with this software
[arvind] Microsoft purchased a company called Foldershare. They are doing similar stuff. It is and has been free thus far https://www.foldershare.com/ [21]
[alex.ragone] Alex's consulting company: http://www.educollaborators.com/ [22]