Dear friends in the open source community,
Many government school students have never had a chance to explore what a computer can really do. Open source gives us a way to change that. Linux runs well on modest hardware, costs nothing, and lets students and teachers learn without depending on expensive licenses.
We are organizing a program to install Linux on school computers and share hands-on knowledge with students and teachers in government schools across [region/district], and we’d love your help.
How you can contribute
- Installation volunteers: set up Linux (e.g., [Ubuntu / Debian / Linux Mint]) on existing school machines and fix basic hardware or software issues.
- Teaching volunteers: run short, friendly sessions on computer basics, free software for learning (LibreOffice, GCompris, Scratch, GeoGebra, etc.), and a first look at coding.
- Teacher support: help teachers feel confident using and maintaining the systems after we leave.
- Content and translation: prepare simple guides, handouts, or materials in [Tamil/local language].
- Logistics and outreach: coordinate with schools, handle schedules, and spread the word.
Who can join
Students, professionals, hobbyists, and long time FOSS contributors are all welcome. You don’t need to be an expert. A willingness to share what you know is enough.
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How many days or how many hours or how long this is gonna happen? Is it an interim agenda or it’s gonna be a recurring one?
This is an intention and call for volunteers. What do you propose ?
Awesome idea. On weekends some volunteers might come or even travel. But schools etc might not be working on that day. So have to figure out timings.
Also if installing Linux, we should have a priority support system for them to not think it’s hard and ditch it.
And more we can figure out as many give their inputs here
We have to ideate more on this. Last KanchiLug Meeting, GOPI initiated this topic, so just following him.
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கடந்த வார காஞ்சி லினக்ஸ் பயனர் குழு கூட்டத்தில் நடந்த விவாதத்தில் பகிரப்பட்ட தகவல்கள் என் நினைவில் நின்றவை
- கோபியின் (ILUGC ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர்) நோக்கம் ஒரு பள்ளி அல்லது கல்லூரியிலாவது அதன் கணினி மையத்தில் லினக்ஸ் பயன்படுத்த வைத்துவிடவேண்டும்.
- முதன் கட்டமாக பள்ளி அல்லது கல்லூரிகளுக்கு நேரில் சென்று அதன் கணினி மையத்தில் ஒரு கணினியில் லினக்ஸ் நிறுவி விடவேண்டும்.
- அங்கு பயிற்சியளிக்கும் ஆசிரியரிடம் பாட திட்டங்களை கற்று கொடுக்கும்போது மானவர்களிடம் லினக்சிலும் பாட திட்டத்தில் வரும் பயிற்சிகளை செய்து காட்ட கேறிக்கை வைக்க வேண்டும்.
- எந்த மானவர்கள் லினக்சில் ஆர்வம் காட்டுகின்றனரோ, அவர்களை நம்மிடம் (அந்த கல்வியகத்தை லினக்ஸ் நிறுவ அனுகியவர்கள்) அறிமுகப்படுத்தி அவர்களுக்கு லினக்ஸ் மற்றும் கட்டற்ற மென்பொருள் பற்றிய விழிப்புனர்வை தொடர்ந்து கொடுத்து அவர்களுக்கு லினக்சை நன்றாக பயன்படுத்த வைக்க வேண்டும்.
- மானவர்களை பலர் லினக்சில் பாடப் பயிற்சிகளை செய்து பார்க்க விரும்பினால் ஒரு கணினியில் இருந்து அந்த கணினி மையத்தில் இருக்கும் அணைத்து கணினிகளிலும் லினக்ஸ் நிறுவ வேண்டும்.
இந்த குறிக்கோளில் இருக்கும் சிக்கல்கள்
- பள்ளி அல்லது கல்லூரியை அனுகுவதில் இருக்கும் சிக்கல்கள், பொருப்பாளர்களிடம் அவர்களின் கணினி மையத்தில் எப்படி ஒரு கணினியிலாவது லினக்சை நிறுவ அனுமதி வாக்குவது.
- ஆசிரியர்களிடம் மானவர்களுக்கு லினக்சை பயன்படுத்தி பயிற்சிகளை செய்ய வைக்க எப்படி ஊக்குவிப்பது
தோழில்னுட்ப சிக்கல்கள்
- கல்வி திட்டத்தில் இருக்கும் பயிற்சிகளை லினக்சில் செய்வதில் இருக்கும் சிக்கல்கள்.
- தொலைதூரத்தில் இருந்து லினக்ஸ் கணினியை பராமரிப்பதில் இருக்கும் சிக்கல்.
The last discussion with Gopi and Mohan brought out many questions and open points, which is natural for an idea this new. We spent a good part of the time thinking through the uncertainties. I felt the best way to find answers was to start small, since many of these questions only become clear once we try.
So we can take a first step,
Phase 1: Prepare
- Pick one institution. Choose a school or college that someone in the group already knows, since a personal contact makes the first approach easier.
- Write a one page introduction letter. Cover what Linux is, that it is free of licensing cost, and that we only ask to install it on one computer as a trial.
- Check the syllabus. List which lab exercises can be done on Linux (programming, office tools, databases, networking, etc.) and note any that cannot.
Phase 2: Approach
- Meet the management or head of department with the letter. Ask for permission for one computer only, kept alongside the existing system (dual boot or a separate machine) so nothing is disturbed.
- Meet the lab teacher. Request that they demonstrate a few syllabus exercises on Linux to students.
Phase 3: Install and Support
- Install Linux on ( one ) lab computer(s). Prefer a beginner-friendly distribution with the needed software preinstalled.
- ( May be ) Set up remote support. Arrange SSH or a similar tool so the group can fix issues without travelling each time, and note down the problems that come up.
- Leave a short guide for the teacher with basic steps and a contact number for help.
Phase 4: Grow
- Meet interested students. Introduce them to Linux and free software, and keep in touch with them regularly.
- Review and decide. If many students want to use Linux, plan to install it on the remaining lab computers.
Some Questions to Ask (please add more questions that could be asked.)
Grouped by who you will be speaking to. Keep each list short, and take notes on the answers.
1. Management / Head of Department
- Who decides on installing new software in the computer lab?
- Is there any policy or rule about operating systems (university guidelines, licensing agreements, an IT vendor)?
- Can we install Linux on one computer as a trial? Is there a spare or older machine we can use?
- Is dual boot acceptable, or should it be a separate machine?
- Who will be our point of contact at the institution?
- Is there a fixed time (a free period or weekend) when we can visit?
- Does the lab have internet access, and can we use it for updates and remote support?
- Are there any concerns we should address before we begin?
2. Lab Teacher / Faculty
- Which subjects and lab exercises are taught in this lab? Can we get the syllabus?
- Which software or tools do students use now (compilers, office tools, databases, etc.)?
- Which exercises are the most important for exams or practicals?
- Are there exams or practical tests that require a specific software?
- Would you be willing to demonstrate a few exercises on Linux, even one or two to begin with?
- How comfortable are you with Linux? Would a short orientation or guide help?
- What problems do you expect, and what support would you want from us?
- How can we reach you when something goes wrong?
3. Lab Administrator / System In-charge
- How many computers are there, and what are their specifications (RAM, storage, age)?
- What operating system do they use now?
- Are the computers locked down (admin passwords, restricted BIOS, freezing software like Deep Freeze)?
- Who has the admin password?
- How is the network set up (shared, restricted, proxy)?
- Is there a way for us to access a computer remotely, or do we need to visit?
- Who looks after the lab when issues occur?
4. Students (Informal, During or After a Demo)
- Have you used Linux before?
- Would you like to try your lab exercises on Linux?
- What would you like to learn (programming, networking, free software, etc.)?
- Would you be interested in joining a short session or the user group?
5. Questions for Our Own Group (Before the Visit)
- Who goes for the visit, and who leads the conversation?
- Which distribution and version will we use?
- Who is responsible for remote support, and how quickly can they respond?
- What do we do if the installation fails or the institution declines?
- How will we record the results (problems, feedback, student interest)?
I request all contributors and volunteers to take action rather than keep talking about uncertainties. Many answers will only come once we begin, so let us start with one small step each and learn as we go.
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