Re: [PLUG] Meeting Topic Request

["Brent Saner" <brent.saner@gmail.com>]

On 10/21/07, Matthew Rosewarne <mrosewarne@inoutbox.com> wrote:

That's some fairly old software they're using, so there's a good chance that
issue has been fixed already.  It's also NVidia-specific, and I wouldn't
recommend the use of NVidia hardware at all (my GeForce3 taught me that
lesson the hard way).  If you can, get cards from ATI or others.  It doesn't
matter if they're ancient, since there's not much they have to do.

seconded. ati in linux, while a bad idea for linux gaming, is good if you just want it to work. nvidia binaries are a 2.5 on the bitch-factor scale to set up and get working and get working WELL (to the point of 1600x1200res, etc.)
but ati drivers? nice and smooth. not much you can do on a special level, but if you're multiseating you won't want to anyways.

As for shared resources, it shouldn't be an issue.  You would presumably want
to have separate audio devices for each user.  Also, instead of using lots of
USB sound cards, it might be possible to get 5.1 or 7.1 sound cards and
divide up the channels.  As for removable devices such as CD-ROMs, you
clearly can't put in more than one CD in at a time, so if the need arises,
you would need to install more than one.  If there's a problem with that
arrangement, the LTSP approach does make it easier to manage sound &
removable devices.

seconded, but you could also (if you have the hard drive space) rip the audio cd's, and make ISO's and then mount them when you need to if they're data
(that reminds me- IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE DAEMONTOOLS FOR LINUX?)

With regard to security, I would definitely recommend KDE, which has a kiosk
infrastructure that lets you lock it down quite well.  There is pessulus for
GNOME, but it's fairly hackish.

kde would be my pick as well for LTSP security. just remember to turn down the eye candy; it's not necessary ;)
plus, i think most LTSP installs tend to prefer kde anyways. tends to do a cleaner job with libraries.

%!PS: The most important thing to keep in mind as far as sound is concerned is
that you'll NEED 7 pairs of headphones.  Especially with children, you don't
want your users fighting over who gets to make noise.  If everyone gets
speakers, there will be noogies, indian burns, scratching, pulling of hair,
etc., and that's if your users are adults!

or...you only let them play 1 of 7 parts of a song. and all the parts have to be synced. it'll be (kind of) like fake 7.1!
in all seriousness, there's been some reports with bad audio (oh yeah! btw, you can't forward audio with VNC. you can with LTSP!) or no audio on LTSP but it's fairly well-documented IIRC so a quick google should get you on your way.


as always, great post matt.

-- 
Brent Saner
215.264.0112(cell)
215.362.7696(residence)

http://www.thenotebookarmy.org

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