Linux in the TDSB

Igor Denisov denisov-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org
Tue Oct 5 02:09:34 UTC 2004


Thanks for that idea, I feel that I really need the backing for this
thing, a few universities and the government using the same OS/
software _might_ do :-)

Another big plus though: OpenOffice (pretty much StarO.) is already
included, even in the free iso, as are most of the programs used by
the students (aka me). I am not about to go deeply into the TCO
anaysis here, that's why it is a _beta_ test (read grassroots and
volunteer, unpaid, can't ask the board to buy anything just yet.)

There is a FirstClass client and the ubiquitous Geometer's Sketchpad I
belive has a Java implementation for Linux (not concrete on the
details). Frankly, it seems that Linux has a better chance to get on
the board network than do the eMacs.
(OS X seems to have nothing but connectivity issues with the main TDSB
server, which is why none, at least at my school, are networked).

The essay minus the references and glossary, meant as a converstion
starter/ quick outline, real info will come in the post-beta test
report:

(sorry, this message is a _bit_ long :-)



Safer, Faster, Better: Linux in a Classroom Setting

Linux defies convention. From its humble beginnings as Linus Torvald's
personal project, it has advanced to making headlines in mainstream
media1. The remarkable operating system has spawned over 300 unique,
specialized distributions2. It is also backed by the IT industry
giants such as IBM and Novell. However, even with all of this
corporate support, Linux has yet to "sell out" on its founding
principles. It remains Open Source, free, and largely
community-driven. Thanks to the effort and dedication of the Open
Source community,  Linux is now at a point where it can easily serve
as a fully-featured desktop operating system.

What does all this have to do with schools? A great deal: so far, the
vast majority of public education institutions have relied on
proprietary software to fulfill the needs of students. The TDSB has
recently completed its transition to a large, board-wide computer
network. The operating system of choice appears to be Microsoft
Windows 2000. Although it is about five years old, it runs most of the
common applications with reasonable speed on mostly off-lease
hardware. The migration to Windows XP, recently made more secure by
Service Pack 2, is hardly a feasible option as a significant fraction
of the current hardware will have trouble supporting it.

What choices will exist for the TDSB in just a few years? Stick to a
tried and true, yet aging Windows 2000? Upgrade all hardware, spending
on something that can run Windows XP? In 2006, the new version of
Windows, codename "Longhorn" is due for release. It will likely to
cause problems with backwards compatibility and undoubtedly require
better hardware than that needed to run Windows 2000. Linux, and in
the expanded sense Open Source software, has the power to solve these
problems in an easy, cost-effective, and efficient way.

Linux has several core advantages over anything Microsoft or any other
proprietary-source company can offer. It is free, can solve a
Windows-only monoculture, and is one of the most secure operating
systems because it was originally designed to be that way. As an
additional benefit, Linux can run on relatively obsolete hardware and
still provide a better, safer, and faster experience in the classroom.


FREEDOM

Linux is and always was free. This freedom exists in two important
ways. Firstly, all of the Linux source code is available. This allowed
 and continues to allow the Linux community to scrutinize and fix the
bugs in every part of the operating system. Based on the scale,
effective scope, and speed, conventional debugging methods of
proprietary-source companies pale when compared to such a massive
group of skilled volunteers.

The easy availability of source code can also help improve the
educational experience of students. In courses that involve
programming, they can dissect a part of the Linux kernel or a TCP/IP
stack to learn how it actually works, instead of coding the usual
"Hello World" programs. The applications of Linux in Computer Science
courses are virtually limitless: it can provide students with working
examples and the source code of programs that power anything and
everything from web servers to supercomputers. Closed-source,
proprietary programs and operating systems by definition fail to
include the source code and thus do not allow this level of learning.

Linux is also free in the sense of being available at no cost. This is
why it is such an attractive choice for anyone looking for cost
efficiency. It is in no way a cut back, restricted-use, or a demo
version. The free versions of Linux distributions are fully
functional, robust operating systems. Unlike all versions of Microsoft
Windows, most Linux distributions already come equipped with
everything a user might need. This includes a complete office suite,
powerful graphics editors, and a range of system management, editing,
and software development tools. The on-line update programs, present
in most popular Linux distributions, also have advantages over Windows
Update. YOU, the update program in SUSE Linux, will automatically
detect the software installed and look for updates, even if the
programs weren't included with the original distribution. This ensures
that everything is up-to-date and therefore more functional and
secure.

MONOCULTURE

In biology, students learn the harmful effects of monocultures on the
environment. However, to experience one, all they have to do is visit
the computer lab. When compared with the PCs, Apple computers are few
and far between. As a result, Windows is the dominant operating
system. Although this might make some aspects of a system
administrators' jobs easier, in the long run, there are few benefits
for those that use the computers.

Students are not challenged by having to use the same operating system
repeatedly. Eventually, most tasks become mindless and automated.
Linux will not require students to completely re-learn everything they
know about computers. It will simply point them to alternatives, and
ultimately, solutions that are more efficient. In Linux, there is a
built-in option of multiple desktops. Even if the monitor resolution
is low, as is often the case with small monitors, students can still
get all the virtual workspace they need to organize all open programs.
This is yet another advantage that Linux has over Microsoft Windows.

Linux, although not drastically different in its user interface, is
not anything like what the TDSB computers run now. It is not
susceptible to the same security threats or exploits that a Windows
machine might be. The number of viruses that affect Linux is virtually
insignificant3, especially when compared to how many prey on Microsoft
products. Mac OS X, an excellent operating system than runs on the
school board's Apple eMacs, is based upon BSD, a "flavour" of Unix.
This gives it some relation and similarity to Linux in its origin,
structure, and level of security. However, unlike Mac OS, Linux does
not require special hardware: it can run on both Macs and PCs. By
adding Linux to the roster of operating systems deployed on the school
computers, higher overall redundancy will be another benefit: if all
Windows machines succumb to a quick-spreading worm or virus, the
computers running Linux will maintain their functionality.

TECHNICAL SUPERIORITY

Linux is efficient. It wastes few processor cycles on unneeded
programs that run in the background and manages multiple tasks with a
high degree of efficiency. Even the latest releases require
"relatively modest computing resources"4. As such, they are able to
run on hardware that would be considered obsolete for a Windows
environment.

Almost every version of Windows is built on top of the previous one.
This means that even the latest version, XP, continues have some of
the same issues as its predecessors. Microsoft is aware that the
window management system in Windows is inherently insecure5. However,
little has been done to fix it. Microsoft has also integrated its
Internet browser, Internet Explorer, into the Windows kernel. Although
this arguably gave the corporation an edge over its competitors, the
move also made every insecurity of the browser6 an insecurity of the
whole operating system. This is one of the reasons for the abundance
of patches for Internet Explorer and why Microsoft plans to rewrite
everything in Windows by 2006, producing its Longhorn OS.

Linux, on the other hand, does not have anything unnecessary, like an
Internet browser, built into the kernel. Instead, it clearly defines
and separates the kernel space, used by the operating system, and the
user space. Linux also offers several choices for the user interface,
and its window management system is much more robust7. An application
crash can cause the loss of all work in every application on a Windows
system, while in Linux, only the one that malfunctioned will be
affected. To a student working on a research project or an end-of-term
paper, the difference between an application crash in Windows and
Linux is enormous.

COMPATIBILITY

At this point, using Linux in a classroom setting would present few
issues with format compatibility. All of the major, most common
formats found when working in a Windows environment are supported
under Linux. OpenOffice offers virtually perfect compatibility with
Microsoft Office document formats. Mozilla Firefox, an Open Source,
Netscape-based browser has the same functionality as Internet Explorer
minus the security and adware issues8. There is also a Linux First
Class client available for use with the school board's TEL system.
Virtually every program currently used on TDSB computers has an Open
Source equivalent that can be utilized under Linux. Emulation, through
WINE, is also a possibility.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

It is not an accident that many universities already use Linux9. It
low cost, high security, power, and relative ease of use make it
perfect for anyone, from a freshman to a PhD researcher. The latest
addition to the list of educational institutions that run Linux is
Acadia University. This Canadian university decided to run Xandros, a
Windows-like distribution of Linux, on the computers distributed to
undergraduates and professors10. Since the operating system is Open
Source, it can be customized with little effort. This allowed Acadia
University to tailor Xandros to its faculty's particular needs and
requirements, as well as implement its wireless network.

Linux is an operating system that many high school graduates will
encounter as they will move on in life. If they will acquire the skill
of working in a Linux environment while still in high school, they
will be better prepared for their post-secondary destinations. There,
rather than concentrating on learning the equivalents of Windows
programs and adapting to the new computing environment, they can spend
their time more productively at work or post-secondary study.


Linux, along with all Open Source software, is going to play an
increasingly bigger role in IT in the future. Its revolutionary method
of development and licensing results in lower costs, better
performance, and higher stability and security. It is already fast
becoming the operating system of choice in many universities. By
exposing secondary school students to Linux, they will be given an
chance to work with a secure, robust, fast, and simply world-class
operating system. This will result expand their knowledge, show them
alternatives to the ubiquitous Windows OS, and allow them to become
prepared for Linux and Open Source in the workplace, colleges, and
universities.


Igor
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