[luau] Linux Project for HNLC...?

Sat Apr 5 20:19:00 PST 2003

I'm unfamiliar about the level of education you are refering to (K-12 or 
college/university).  Here is some info on an opensource Geographic 
Information System software package.

One science related opensource package I've been messing with is GRASS GIS 
(http://grass.baylor.edu/).  Comercial GIS packages carry a hefty price tag 
of over $20k per license which makes GRASS a very appealing GIS package for 
education do to savings in cost.  Regardless of the cost, GRASS is a very 
powerful GIS package in its own right, with 3D and volumetric visualization.

A pet project I want to get going soon is putting together a native GRASS 
GIS database for the state of Hawaii.  It will be based on USGS DLGs, DEMs, 
DRGs, and DOQs.  This would provide a starting jump for those people wanting 
to get their feed wet in the area of GIS.  Starting a GIS database from 
scratch is a little dauting, so having a native database for the state would 
provide people with a base system to start off from.  The state wide 
database would be provided free in order to promote GRASS opensource GIS.

Hope the info helps some.

Luis.

>From: "Benjamin Kinsey" <bk at bksy.com>
>Reply-To: luau at videl.ics.hawaii.edu
>To: luau at videl.ics.hawaii.edu
>Subject: [luau] Linux Project for HNLC...?
>Date: Sat, 05 Apr 2003 12:45:19 -0800
>
>Please do not circulate this information as it is not
>"Official".
>
>First, allow me to introduce myself.  I am Benjamin Kinsey, a
>Data Processing System Analyst for HDOE/OCISS/ATRB (Hawaii
>Department of Education, Advanced Tech Research Branch).  I
>am hired under a NSF (National Science Foundation Grant)
>called HNLC (Hawaii Networked Learning Communities).  My
>background is in Computer Science, and professionally I have
>focused mostly on architecting and developing database-driven
>web applications.
>
>I was introduced to HOSEF about a week ago attending a session
>with Warren Togami at MidPac.  We at HNLC were immediately
>impressed with the Linux computer cluster there and Warren's
>infectious enthusiasm.  I have gotten the go-ahead from
>higher-ups to explore the option of introducing more Linux to
>our branch within HDOE and for our HNLC grant.  What we
>envision is something of a "multiprogram" Linux project.  By
>that I mean not just HNLC, but also other programs within HDOE
>and possibly outside as well.
>
>Linux has had a troubled history in our branch.  We have had
>problems with unadministered linux systems getting hacked.
>There has not been enough internal expertise within the branch
>to be able to adequately ensure the security of linux boxes
>and the biggest challenge to winning over people in my branch
>will be convincing them that there is somebody within the
>branch who has enough of a clue to be able to maintain
>security.
>
>If I had adequate Linux administration training, I would be
>happy to take on the challenge of administrating our branch's
>linux boxes.  Unfortunately, I still don't have enough of a
>clue to be very confident yet, but I catch on quickly if I
>have a good teacher.  Already I feel I have learned tons just
>by hanging out with the good folks at HOSEF for the two
>meetings I attended.  Certainly I am more confident about
>*installing* linux.  I still have a long way to go to be able
>to administrate.
>
>I am exploring a vision: a vision of a Linux cluster
>classroom somewhere in our building.  We have plenty of
>parking and we frequently hold workshops and educational
>training programs in our building.  A linux cluster classroom
>would greatly complement our offerings both for the
>professional development of HDOE staff but also for intensive
>technology education for students.
>
>Furthermore if our own Linux cluster classroom is a success,
>there is a possibility HNLC schools (only ten so far, will be
>up to fifty in four years) will want to create a similar lab
>for themselves, with our (HNLC) help.  However, this we cannot
>rush because there is a HUGE educational challenge that must
>first be met.  Linux is absolutely foreign to most HDOE
>schools.  Maintaining security will be an ongoing challenge.
>We will need to implement a thorough training program on Linux
>security and system admin.  We need to be realistic about the
>usefulness and the feasibility of such labs.
>
>This is where I want your help.  I need honest feedback, both
>positive and negative, from HOSEF members about the challenges
>of Linux within the scope of education.  For example, besides
>Office and Web surfing, what will students actually be doing
>at the Linux cluster?  What educational software is available
>for Linux?  Particularly, how can Linux be useful for math and
>science education (the focus of the HNLC grant)?  Is there any
>hope of turning an "average" Mac or PC person into a Linux
>system administrator?
>
>With your feedback, I will report my findings to my supervisor
>who will likely report to her supervisor, and so up the chain
>it will go, the way things work in government.  I am
>enthusiastic that the attitude toward Linux is warming as the
>benefits become more compelling.
>
>Good luck with your legislative proposal (of course I am
>speaking personally not officially).  You work from the
>top, I'll work from the bottom, maybe, just maybe public
>school students will benefit which will make all of this
>worthwhile to me.
>
>Sincerely,
>Benjamin Kinsey
>_______________________________________________
>LUAU mailing list
>LUAU at videl.ics.hawaii.edu
>http://videl.ics.hawaii.edu/mailman/listinfo/luau

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