[frgeek-michiana] Warehouse report 02-23-2010
- From: Richard Zimmerman <csxt@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Free Geek Michiana <frgeek-michiana@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:48:59 -0500
Present: Goose, Phil, Kelsey, Dan
First:
Monday night, the Free Geek Michiana board talked at length about
the production problems at the warehouse with the P3 computers and the
problems Vector Linux is presenting on networking and getting it
functional (correctly) with Spanish.
In the end the board unanimously voted to move to the P4's we have
in inventory AND move to Ubuntu LTS.
History:
FGM had selected Vector Linux in like 2004 or even 2003 when it
started due in part the systems that were being donated at that time
were P1 and P2's with the P3's being the golden systems! As the years
progressed, FGM stayed with Vector Linux.
Vector Linux 6.x series has presented some unique problems with
networking but in general, with a some work it is solvable. However,
with the request for Spanish being available on the systems, VL as it
turns out has great 'front end' support for Spanish, but everything on
the command line is English only. The solution as reported was going to
take great efforts to get working and result in FGM having a custom
version of VL.
To add to this, our new volunteer Adrian whom is bilingual reported
he uses Ubuntu with no issues with Spanish IIRC.
Board Meeting:
The meeting notes are forthcoming from Mark. The gist is:
1. We are wasting way too much time trying to repair older
computers when much faster and newer computers are stored
2. While VL has been nice, it does not enjoy the wide spread
acceptance of Ubuntu and does not support nearly as well
3. Nobody is happy about the fact we have not been able to ready
computers for anyone
Present:
With the vote in hand from Monday we also made what I feel are some
pretty smart decisions:
1. Use Ubuntu LTS.
NOTE: We did not pin this to a specific version. Ubuntu LTS is
supported for 3 years for desktop and 5 years for server systems. LTS
releases only incorporate security fixes. They do NOT add any new
functionality. By pinning to the LTS standard, we can automatically
upgrade to the next LTS release when it is available.
2. P3 computers:
In regard to the P3 systems, the standard was set to 1g cpu
speed BUT if we find a closely specs systems that WORKS, we will use it.
Last night I threw a P3-933 w/ 512mb or ram on the table and put Ubuntu
on it. While slower then the P4's it does work acceptably. We can still
use them on a case by case basis.
Last night:
1. Access to Inventory
Our host and I have been exchanging emails over the last week. We
indeed have access to our inventory but with conditions.
A. DO NOT WANDER from the immediate area. We WILL set off
security alarms if we do.
B. Two of our hand trucks are pinned into a secured area. We
can look at them, just not use them as yet.
I'm off 1/2 day on Friday for a Dr. appointment so I'll
go over and move them so we can use them again.
C. We can not get the recyclable on pallets out just yet.
The inventory is stored in 10 rows of 6 deep. We do have room to
move them around and organize; we just have to be careful of the alarm
zones.
2. By chance, a gaylord of P4's were right on the outside so I
grabbed them. By the end of the evening, we had 5 p4's and 1 p3 on the
table,
The p3-933, 512mb is loaded w/ Ubuntu and working - it needs
final testing
The 2 Carol? computers 1 is ready for final testing the other
had a wired video issue as it turns out and is now ready for loading
Dan took home a p4 w/ Ubuntu (old Debian server) so he can
learn Ubuntu. He is suppose to return it Thursday.
2 p4's were being d banned and should be ready for loading Ubuntu.
3. Phil discovered that some of the P4's had been stripped of
memory. To further aggravate the problem, those systems are DDR-2
systems! We will have to buy memory for them. I'll see what I have at
home and if I happen to have some DDR-2 memory I'll bring it in to at
least test the systems. So far, ZERO P4 systems have failed testing.
4. The game plan at present is getting systems ready NOW. I sent
Carol an email asking her if it was possible we could squeeze a class in
before the end of the school year. I haven't heard back from her as yet.
5. Dan who has NEVER seen Ubuntu loaded a system w/ no knowledge of
Ubuntu and he was able to figure it out on the first try. This was a
good acid test for the Ubuntu loader. Overall, everyone (the board and
volunteers) agrees the Ubuntu move is a good one.
I'm sure I am forgetting something. I'll be there Thursday to show
Mike where the alarms are at, etc.
MANY, MANY thanks to the volunteers for their efforts last night.
Richard
3.
--
Richard "Goose" Zimmerman, ke4rit
Mishawaka, IN
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