[LUAU] user experiences

[R. Scott Belford]

Hawaii Linux Institute wrote:
> 
> I went over to Makiki community library yesterday.  This should offer a 
> great testimony to the benefits of adopting a Linux system.  Unlike 
> other state libraries, Makiki does not receive any state fund.  Without 
> HOSEF/Linux, its two Windows2000 computers would have been dead (or one 
> dead and the other severely crippled).

Yes.  This is true.

> 
> OTOH, with hindsight, our State library system could have saved at least 
> half of the 1.5 million dollars that it spent on buying those Windows 
> 2000 computers.  Many jobs would have been saved, and our libraries 
> could be open during some of the hours that it is needed the most.

No question.

> 
> I am also wondering that, in a couple of years, where will we find money 
> to upgrade our current computer system?  Cut a few more jobs?  Reduce 
> more library hours?

Install more thin client labs that utilize the computers we and 
Computers for Kids collect.  Money problem solved.

> 
> But is Linux the perfect answer?  yes and no.
> 
> Some users who know something about computes would like to have Windows 
> re-installed.  "Why?"  This is one of the critical issues regarding 
> "user experiences" that probably need to be explored.

Of course.  What we count on is our volunteers, in this case, Andy, 
Michael, and Paul, to stop in to help bridge the gap of familiarity. 
Feel free to play a pro-active role if you have time.

Come by our weekend workshop at McKinley for more details.  We have 
created an 8 part class that teaches why and how to install the K12LTSP, 
as well as securing, updating, configuring, and troubleshooting skills. 
  This enables volunteers to

> 
> Familiarity, or more specifically, the lack thereof, is one thing.  I 
> have heard a story that someone installed Firefox in a public computer 
> (running Windows).  No one used it.  Then this guy changed its icon and 
> re-named it "Internet Explorer".  (you can do everything on your own 
> computer, there is no trademark infringement issue.)  All of a sudden 
> everyone is using it.
> 
> Then there is the customization issue.  The stock Mandrake 10 does not 
> include Java, flash-plugin, mplayer, codecs for DVD movies, and perhaps 
> a few other things.  With Fedora/RedHat, in addition to these missing 
> customer items, you also need to install mp3 plug-in.  When these are 
> all in place, as far as for use by library patrons is concerned, Linux 
> is, indeed, at least as user-friendly as Windows.  Thereafter, we can 
> talk about some of the advantages of Linux, including, as we all know: 
> security (I believe Microsoft has decided to take it easy, if at all, on 
> issuing Windows 2000 patches), user management (separate user accounts, 
> mounting your own USB drive, etc.), portability, serviceability, etc.

We took care of installing java and flash on both computers.  We made 
sure that sound was running to play CD's.  We created the same usernames 
and passwords as previously used.  We created Desktop Icons named for 
the appropriate tasks: OOffice = Word Processor, Mozilla=Internet.

You bring up a good point that branding the icons, Internet Explorer, 
Word, Excel may actually make them more usable.  We do not promote this, 
though.  So far it seems that most patrons find the computers just as 
usable.

Oh, we also donated a mouse, a Laserjet 4, and Andy donated a parallel 
cable.


> 
> But the more trouble-some issues are regarding providing "professional" 
> Linux desktops (such as office automating jobs, use of GIMP, working 
> with more advanced hardware, etc).   This is the area that I am most 
> interested in but feel the most inadequate.  wayne

We are drafting some class proposals.  If you have something else that 
you would like to learn, propose it and I will teach it or look for 
someone else to.

http://lists.hosef.org/pipermail/hosef-managers/2004q3/002055.html

As far as GIMP goes, we have an interesting case study of the Kailua 
Redemption Academy.  It was nearly two years ago now that I picked out 
the parts for 10 computers.  They ordered them.  I taught some teachers 
and students how to build a computer, from scratch.  We installed 
Mandrake 8.x, I think, or whatever was current at the time.

At this point our only support options for Rudy were LUAU and our 
bi-weekly workshops at PB.  I offered both, but then explained that my 
job had me too busy to provide *any* training.  He had been using a 
donated Mandrake box for a few months already, so he was not concerned. 
  These are kids we are talking about, after all.

When I went back a few months later to replace a failed power supply, I 
noticed that the students had decorated the walls of the lab with 
magazine photos and various images.  It looked cozy.  As it turns out, 
they had made these images, and they were unreal.

The class had purchased digital cameras (I suggested some compatible 
ones), hooked them up to the computer, uploaded the images, used gimp to 
layer, crop, edit, and all those things I know nothing about, connected 
a printer, and printed their projects.  Oh, they also burned CD's on 
their installed cdrw's (installation created ide-scsi emulation by default).

This was on a much older version of Mandrake.  Trying this on anything 
earlier than windows98, and even windows2000, would have required 
numerous drivers and other apps.  It has and continues to just work for 
them.  The only thing keeping OSS from more desktops is us and our 
willingness to be credible and responsible ambassadors.

--scott