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<P>Hi all,</P>
<P> You are cordially invited to Ala Wai Elementary School, May 19, 2003, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm to see a classroom of 5 NICs(Network Interface Computers) running on Linux. We've had these systems for 2 years. Oracle donated 50 workstations(including keyboard, mouse, speakers),10 Kyocera Laser printers, 10 5-port hubs. We qualified for this grant as a Title I School -- 58% free lunch students, low achieving students. They connect via Internet to a remote server...somewhere in California. Teachers use these workstations mainly for student research. The word processing program is Abi Suite. The NICs doesn't have any hard drives nor "A" drives. The program runs off a CD and it has 2 USB ports. The problem is student work cannot be saved unless the school purchases Zip drives which have been low priority because of other repair costs.(working on this) Ala Wai is the only school on Oahu that wrote for this grant. Other schools are on the Big Island.</P>
<P>It runs kind of slow...but students/teachers love the connectivity. No virus issues. The NICs are cheaply made...monitors, keyboard, mice, speakers go out. Think I must have returned at least 15 CPU's to date...free shipping & replacement. The problem is not abuse by students, I think it's because we don't have enough electricity in the classrooms. Two classrooms share 15 amps. So, neighboring teachers need to coordinate computer usage to prevent tripping the circuit. We're scheduled to have an electrical upgrade this summer...finally.</P>
<P>So, you're all welcome to see a classroom, try it out. I'm the tech coordinator but not a real techie. Open to suggestions to make it all work better. Please RSVP to: <A href="mailto:Bernice_Ishida/ALAWAI/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us">Bernice_Ishida/ALAWAI/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us</A> as I need to give a list of names of visitors to the front office.<BR><BR></P></DIV>
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<DIV></DIV>Bernice Ishida
<DIV></DIV>
<P>Ala Wai Elementary </P>
<P>Serendipidies are the joy in life. </P>
<DIV></DIV>ph. 973-0070
<DIV></DIV>Honolulu, Hawaii
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