The Skolelinux project - Debian for schools

A Custom Debian Distribution targeted at schools, featuring a simplified installation process, and preconfigured services and applications.

http://www.skolelinux.no/

Targeted at Schools

Skolelinux is software distribution providing primary schools with a complete IT platform.

• educational software
• translated programs
• easy to get started
• preconfigured services
• easy to maintain
• remote administratable

Project goals

• ethical
  • teach kids that sharing software can be both good and legal
  • teach kids how to tinker and improve the software they use
  • demonstrate the quality of free software
  • provide programs in all the local languages
• practical
  • reduce the computer-related expences in schools
  • provide schools with a well-tested collection of services which reduce system administration needs
  • increase computer availability

The distribution

• simple install
• ~950 packages, 15 services
• educational software
• office tools
• web administration
• no license administration
• system administrator friendly
• enables remote administration
• scalable

Architecture and configuration

• automatic network configuration
• ldap directory
• networked home directories
• distributed printing
• thin client servers
• post office
• web server
• web proxy
• clock synchronisation
• centralised logging

The project

• do-o-cratic (those doing the work decide how it is done)
• anyone willing to contribute is accepted
• >130 contributors, ~5 debian developers
• member organisation (Skolelinux)
• foundation (SLX Debian Labs)
• current funding: NUUG Foundation
• future funding: government, users, vendors
• 3 full time employees, 1 office in Oslo, Norway
• devcamps every 1-2 months (travel and accommodation covered)
• several spin-offs (Norwegian OpenOffice.org, linux signpost)

Test schools

• ~100 registered test schools in Norway
• schools are encouraged to demonstrate skolelinux to their neighbouring schools
• schools in Germany, France, Denmark, Eritrea, and more
• becoming more international

What makes Skolelinux special

• complete system architecture out of the box
• easy to get started
• designed for remote administration
• targeted at large scale deployment
• hides complexity
• enforces sensible defaults
• several installation profiles on a single CD
• want to maintain the software within debian
• good combination of people

Custom Debian tools

• common cvs
• autobuilt packages and CDs
• metapackages / custom tasks
• install hooks (debian-edu-install)
• preseeding (base-config/debian-edu-config)
• cfengine config editing (debian-edu-config)
• xfree86 autoconfig (xdebconfigurator)
• global locale config (localization-config)
• kde menu customisations (kschoolmenu)
• webmin modules for cups and netgroup editing

Future plans

• new package installation procedure (tasksel custom tasks)
• based on sarge
• integrate everything into the debian archive
• use cdd-dev
• automatic user administration system (cerebrum)
• convert all schools in Norway
• help other countries as well
• assist the packages we need into sarge

The risks we face

• problems getting our fixes into debian
• debian project going away
• debian legal issues
• lack of sustainable funding
• lack of hardware support
• software patents limiting free software development

References

• Skolelinux web site - http://www.skolelinux.no/
• Skolelinux developers web site - http://developer.skolelinux.no/
• The Skolelinux architeture description - http://developer.skolelinux.no/arkitektur/arkitektur.html.en

Thank you very much

Questions?

http://developer.skolelinux.no/info/prosjektet/20040924-firenze.html