Typical LinkNet Computer OS installation

On computer that is 'empty', and no licenses at hand:

  1. Ubuntu operating system for those computers that are able to load it. Otherwise Xubuntu operating system;
  2. with Open Office 2.0;
  3. With Thunderbird E-mail client;
  4. Possibly with GNUCash and Project Management installed too;
  5. With Skype installed;
  6. With Evolution deinstalled.
  7. Username 'administrator', password <the known one>

Make sure Open Office is configured to save in Microsoft XP/2000 format (for all: spreadsheet, text and presentation)
Check printer settings.

With Xubuntu:

  • make sure the HPtoolkit is loaded.

On client implementation (at client's desk):

  • create user (typically first letter first name and surname)
  • check printer settings
  • implement e-mail settings
  • set home page of browser (for instance www.link.net.zm)

When having a legal (OEM) license for Windows XP professional (Home edition still to be reviewed, but accepted in the mean time):

  1. Install administrator with 3dxxx password, also install user root with 3dxxx password.
  2. Install AVG
  3. Update AVG
  4. Install VNC
  5. Set up password c3xxxxx
  6. Set up firewall to allows VNC connections
  7. Windows Update
  8. Install Firefox
  9. Install Thunderbird
  10. Install OpenOffice 2.0
  11. Install Skype
  12. clean up desk top
  13. check time zone

With the user:

  1. make username, including password, as restricted user
  2. install specific programs, e.g. Quicken
  3. install network printers, make closed by printer default
  4. set firefox, opening page for instance miam.macha.org.zm
  5. set thunderbird, IMAP e-mail account
  6. set openoffice with the right user data, and saving as windows 2000/xp extensions
  7. set Skype with username and password

Open Office for Xubuntu

Since most of the PC installed for the community are going to be using Xubuntu as an operating system, there has been a great need for a comprehensive office suite.  In the regular instillation of Ubuntu, the Open Office 2.0 suite is already included, however because of the slimmed down nature of Xubuntu, this suite is not included in the disto.  Thus it is necessary to do a manual install of the Open Office Suite.  Here are the steps required and a very helpful website.

http://linux.gotfoo.org/xubuntu-essential-applications/

1) Click Applications-> System-> Synaptic Package Manager
2) Enter your password
3) Click Settings-> Repositories
4) Scroll down and slect the “community” Repositories
5) Close
6) Click “Reload”
7) In the bottom left click “Sections” and then select “All” from the list.
8) Open Terminal window
8) Use command: sudo apt-get install openoffice.org
10) Insert Xubuntu 6.06 cd when prompted

Thats it.  It works beautifully

Openoffice.org on Xubuntu

Great progress. Installing Openoffice on Xubuntu has been quite a challenge. It is good that it can be done offline, which is really helpful especially if you are to install it on many computers. Downloading the same file over and over is not interesting. Useful link too.

Unofficial Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger) Starter Guide

The guide ubuntuguide.org was started by Chua Wen Kiat (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). It is now being maintained by the Linux Center of University of Latvia, and everyone else who is willing to contribute. It is very handy! Gives a multitude of tips and how-to's on Ubuntu implementations.

Link: http://easylinux.info/wiki/Ubuntu

Automatix

Automatix make it easy to install programs into Ubuntu. How to get it?

Aumatix change website, now it is http://www.getautomatix.com/

To install Automatix in Ubuntu do the following from terminal(one line at a time, pressing enter after each step):

Code:
wget http://beerorkid.com/automatix/automatix_<current verion>.deb
sudo dpkg -i automatix_<current version>.deb

Links: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=80295
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=138405

PC World Review: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124519,00.asp