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David,

There are a lot of choices in the open source field but one that I've
seen work well with visitors is Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.org/).  The
nice thing with that distribution is that it doesn't install on the hard
drive so no matter how much someone messes with the system, a reboot and
you're back to square one.  Not only do you no longer need to worry much
about the security of the system, it can also gives the visitors full
access they would have if they ran it at home (this could, of course, be
limited if you felt it was required).

The other good project to look at for open source software (OSS) would
be the Open CD project (http://www.theopencd.org/).  It is a
downloadable CD with many open source programs on it but it's designed
for windows.  It allows people to have a taste of open source without
diving in the deep end first.  It also encourages them to try Ubuntu
(http://www.ubuntu.com/) once they get comfortable enough with OSS.

Both project allow windows users to sample OSS without completely giving
up the safety net on windows to fall back on if they want.  Also if you
had copies of each available, people could go home that day and continue
to tinker on their own.  Hope that helps.

Woody Sobey
Engineering Communicator
Enginuity, Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Coalbrookdale, England
[log in to unmask]
+44 (0)1952.435.970


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Perry
Sent: 11 June 2006 00:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Linux for visitors[Spam score: 8%][Scanned]

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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*****

I'm looking into making a computer available for visitors in our
Technology Lab to explore a Linux based operating system and
applications.  The hoped for outcome is an understanding of "open
source" technologies.  Has anyone had any successes, failures, or
insight they would like to share?

David Perry | Lead Educator, Vernier Technology Lab OMSI [log in to unmask]

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