Paul Nelson tells us about this announcement: K12LTSP
is an easy to install, Linux based terminal server package designed for
schools. It comes ready to run with lots of programs for classroom use.
It works with low maintenance, diskless workstations that are immune to
viruses and mischievous student tampering. K12LTSP is based on RedHat
7.1 (www.redhat.com), StarOffice 5.2
from Sun microsystems (www.sun.com/staroffice)
and the Linux Terminal Server Project (www.ltsp.org).
It is completely free. Installation CD-Roms
may be downloaded from our web site at www.k12ltsp.org.
K12LTSP offers a point and click interface
based on the GNOME (www.gnome.org)
desktop and a complete package of applications useful for classrooms.
StarOffice 5.2 is included providing word processing, spreadsheet and
presentation tools that are compatible with other popular office suites.
Once the K12LTSP server package is
installed schools may access it from legacy PC hardware and/or purchase
new workstations for under $200. With all the applications running on
the server, K12LTSP provides an inexpensive way for schools to extend
the life of aging computers. The speed of the server determines the
application speed, not the client.
A typical lab installation of K12LTSP for
20 workstations would cost $6,000
($2,000 server, 20 clients @ $200 each).
A typical lab installation of Windows98
for 20 workstations would cost $20,000.
($800 per workstation + $200 or more for software)
Initial cost savings in hardware and
software will be augmented by long term savings in lower maintenance
costs. K12LTSP servers allow for easy remote administration. This means
that teachers can focus on students rather than keeping the classroom
computers running.
To celebrate the launch of K12LTSP and to
help schools build servers and workstations we will distribute over 1000
FREE Xeon and Celeron processors donated by Intel through the STRUT
program (Students Recycling Used Technology).
(www.strut.org for STRUT info)
(www.k12ltsp.org/application.htm
for free CPU info.)
K12LTSP was created as a volunteer project
by two educators, Eric Harrison from the Multnomah County Education
Service District and Paul Nelson from the Riverdale School District. It
is an offshoot of another volunteer effort, the Linux Terminal Server
Project. (www.ltsp.org)
K12LTSP Open House – July 4th 9-11am at
Riverdale School
URL: http://www.k12ltsp.org/openhouse.html
Contact Information:
URL: www.k12ltsp.org
Paul Nelson pnelson@riverdale.k12.or.us
Riverdale School District www.riverdale.k12.or.us
11733 SW Breyman Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
(503)636-8611
Eric Harrison eharrison@mail.mesd.k12.or.us
Multnomah County Education Service District www.mesd.k12.or.us
P.O. Box 301039
11611 NE Ainsworth Circle
Portland Oregon 97220
(503)257-1554
###

8wire.com has the how-to article on setting up the fromer BSDi product. “This product offers many excellent installation options and features. The entire ‘base’ installation is
included on a single CD, and the source code is included on the optional Source CD-ROM. You can
choose a graphical (GUI) or text-based (command-line interface) installation. Automated hard disk
formatting does a ‘disk wipe’ and ‘fdisk’ prior to the installation. RSH (remote shell server)
compatible installation lets you install the OS across a network using one central Unix server. The
express configuration option installs a predetermined set of packages and partition sizes and is
perfect for a standard installation or the beginner. A custom installation option lets you install your
own choice of software packages.”

The Register’s take on Caldera’s new per-seat license.
“Per-seat licensing is a rarity in the Unix world. That’s because workstations are
traditionally capable of supporting several concurrent users. IDC’s Dan Kusnetzky
told us last week that the next batch of IDC figures will create a new category in
recognition of this. Linux usage is divided three ways between server, workstation
and ‘serverstation’, where a workgroup server is doubling up as a workstation.”

Interactive Week reports on Red Hat’s new offering of PostGreSQL in a $2,295 package that includes Linux.

CNet reports that shareholders have filed a class-action lawsuit against chipmaker Transmeta, “alleging that
company executives made false statements about its business and certain products to boost its
stock price.” The lawsuit alleges during and after its IPO, Transmeta made misleading statements about its
Crusoe microprocessors, including overstating the battery life.

From PR Newswire: iXsystems Inc., formerly BSDi,
has released its first Internet server appliance, designed for quick and easy
volume deployment by Internet service providers, content providers, and Web
hosting providers. The new iXtreme Internet Hosting Server is the first
“plug ‘n host” server appliance to combine browser-based administration and
the world’s most reliable Internet operating system in an ultra-compact,
high-performance 1U rack-optimized chassis. Service providers can choose the
processor, memory and disk that best meet their needs now, and easily upgrade
components as their business grows.

From LinuxGram: “Compaq is close to finishing a piece of software it’s been
developing secretly to make it easier for Solaris developers to
port their applications to Linux. It’s going to open source the
stuff.”

Posted at LWN.net: “There is a file overwrite vulnerability in the log facilities
of the Samba filesharing package which can be used by a remote
attacker to overwrite system files and to gain root access.
This requires a specific logging entry to be set.

Caldera OpenLinux is not vulnerable to this problem in its default
configuration, because it does not include a default configuration
file for Samba and the sample configuration we ship has logging
commented out.”

ZDNet has a column trumpeting the virtues of apt-get and how it handles installations of other packages beside the original Debian Linux.

From PR Newswire: StarNet Communications Corp., a
leading publisher of Windows-to-Linux/Unix connectivity software, announced
that users of its X-Win32 PC X server will be provided a fully integrated data
security solution in cooperation with F-Secure Corporation, a leading
developer of centrally managed enterprise security solutions.