Schoolux... The offline enviroment for learing programming

For discussions about programming, programming questions/advice, and projects that don't really have anything to do with Puppy.
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Atle
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Schoolux... The offline enviroment for learing programming

#1 Post by Atle »

Dear folks...

Since working in Schools in Zambia in 2008, I came to the conclusion that Schools simply does not work in third world countries.

So to bypass corrupt governments(greased by Microsoft) and schools where one needs to PAY your teacher for attention and so forth, I think I have a little weird idea.

To start of short, I discovered Slitaz and was amazed. Then Slitaz was a no go due to the lack of 3G modems and mobile internet support, so I needed to look further. Since then I have been on to Puppy and have even made a little "derivate" my self, with a lot of help as I am not really a linux dude. Just by heart... Its called Joompup(or JoomlaOnPuppy)

The idea is that I use a custom Puppy with a webserver and the large (as in users and plugins) Joomla merged in working from the Live CD. Current its working well on 5.2.8.004 and with Joomla 2.5.6.


So since the Puppy WITH joomla and all comes to about 170mb, there is still about 500mb left of space on a ordinary CD. This is where EDUCATIONAL stuff is added to the CD and organized trough Joomla.

So to take it to the FIRST world, imagine your to sail in a boat for one year and there will be NO internet? Now what would you like to bring with you if your limit is ONE CD and no stuff on the HD?

I just read about BaCon and understand that can be used directly to change or develop Puppy. Yet I do not know if that goes for 5.2.8, or if its just for Wary?

Then there is Joomla that has PHP and other nice things to experiment with and learn trough the Live CD(even install or "drop a 2SF" into your lame Windows) There is SQL present to learn about that kind of stuff and also Hiawhata Webserver...

So guys... I need help here. I am slowly dying of bad feelings as the project has stalled due to my difficult life right now. So I feel there is a great responsibility on me to get this SHOW ON THE ROAD...

The aim is nothing less than to carpet bomb Africa with Puppy CD(named Schoolux) to wipe Microsoft and their viruses out once and for all... Since that is not going to happen, I hope to see that Puppy becomes the major Linux in the third world, as we offer what is NEEDED and on THEIR premises etc. I have really done my homework when it comes to HOW to conquer the African mind and "markets".. I have spent lots of time there and there is even a NGO in Tanzania, registered by me and I have built a network etc.

So imagine that you want to learn BaCon, PHP and other programming languages that are free and useful... Now where does the first world folks find useful stuff that can be added to this CD on the internet and CAN it legally be on the CD?

This legal stuff I can understand, but programming I have no idea about what so ever and I think its better for me to focus on developing the project, rather than becoming a programmer...

Then again, once a CD packed with education possibilities is present I might just take a year off and sail to a remote Island and educate my self WITHOUT the internet:-)

So please feel free to join this project at http://www.schoolux.org if you like. We need people that has been educating Them Self's... This is about sharing the knowledge and making Puppy into the primary School CD.

A library full of ONLY useful stuff and the environment to experiment, learn and SHARE...

The project has is VERY wanted in Africa as this is the answer to SO MANY problems they have like lack of teacher, books and INTERNET(its expensive).

Those that contributes and helps out on this will be offered to be profiled on the Live CD and also be present as "representatives" on the forum for the end users and if this is success and there is money coming to the NGO, I want to have a developers conference, like a workshop or 2 weeks working and developing meeting in Mafia Island, Tanzania. I will go for the Lighthouse up north as a HQ.

I come out this way as this project is a heavy burden to me these days as it has stalled a bit.

All I ask for is respect for spending almost 2 years in Tanzania and Zambia to understand THEIR mindset, system and challenges. So this is not for first world people, but for third world and there is other needs that a first world dude might not understand.

Feel free to take contact at the Schoolux site or post here if you have something YOU think should be added to the CD.

What I love here is that here we have REAL people with REAL knowledge, and as for me, I rather work with a very few good ones than "just someone from who knows where. Said in another way. Here I can see if one is serious or not and that is important as I do not get paid for this (i just pay and pay actually), so I like to keep things a bit small and simple, but AMAZING:-)

Best

Atle :P

Atle
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#2 Post by Atle »

Just a given example of where I meet my limitations...

I find a great link just a little down on this thread:

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=79889

But then I get confused... Can one do this Python stuff in a Puppy environment and "get stuff done"? Play around and become wise?

Or does one need to download and install "something" to practice what these free Python books provide?

At least I can provide a website to host this, a NGO to execute the project and I also have learned a little about Puppy and Remastering.

Also Joomla I am quite into... But it basically stops there:-)

Hell... After 4 years I did manage to get this Live CD with Joomla preinstalled(carried knowledge wise by some fine forum members here that is;-)

One can also PM me here to get account to directly work on the Joomla part that later when suitable will be merged into Puppy(Schoolux Live CD "ONE")

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puppy_apprentice
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#3 Post by puppy_apprentice »

i don't remember if Python came with Puppy, but u can check this, open console and write eg.:

Code: Select all

which python
if Python exist on your system u should get path to Python interpreter, if not u have to install interpreter yourself - best choice is to use proper devx file for your Puppy (lupu_devx_528-4.sfs should work, u can download it from:
http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/puppy-5.2.8/, i assumed that u have used Lupu as your distro base)

if Python is ready on your system u can try this, copy and save as hello.py:

Code: Select all

print "Hello, World!"
next, open console and write:

Code: Select all

python hello.py
or copy and save as hello.py, path u can find via "which python" in the console:

Code: Select all

#!/path/to/python
print "Hello, World!"
next in the console write:

Code: Select all

chmod u+rwx hell.py
and later run script in the console via:

Code: Select all

hello.py
a very good initiative
and u may check this page, maybe u get help from them too:
http://www.hackersforcharity.org/

Atle
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#4 Post by Atle »

hello and thanks... Its no python then in neither Precise or Slacko... Have not tried 5.2.8.004...

What i realize is that due to server stuff its more easy to build the content offline, rather than online and then upload the offline version as one goes...

As I look into this "Hackers for Charity", its just ANOTHER microsoft project. They are not the kind of guys I would like to have inside on this project. It should be renamed "Scriptkiddies for Charity"...

I think collecting 500mb of educational material(that's after removing fat and compressing it), is possible for just a few persons and done quiet and nice so that when the shit hits the street, its a bomb and not another Microfart... Belive me... There is millions of dollar to get if you push Microcrap to Africans. But there is nothing if its Linux. Thats why i like this. Bad odds and a lot of resistance.

Just believe me when I say there is some REALLY great potential for Linux down in Africa as there are some very bright kids there, but they get crushed by the system... This system can be hacked and this is the best way to go. Linux Foundation is doing a shit job on Africa and its like they think it does not exist...

Africa in general can be the next big thing as for growth in Puppy users and developers if one plays this card hard and serious.

But it got to be a future and not just another OS...

If ones builds a future.. a career and a income that can bring bread on the table its a done deal. It will get feet's, wings and arms and start its own life...

jpeps
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#5 Post by jpeps »

Most likely, third world nations will opt for making deals with Microsoft, who will undercut all NGO's touting economical linux systems. That's just the way it works. Most likely it will come in the form of devices. Android via Google might be a contender, but some large corporation will have to offer them the latest and greatest at almost no cost to spark any interest.

Atle
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#6 Post by Atle »

The thing is... Most people can not afford devices or school. so this is where "old machine" friendly Puppy Linux comes in...

What ever this or that corrupt government decides can not stop what spread on street level in Africa. Just trust me on that one.

Whatever Microsoft does to buy up, corrupt or push NGO's will not affect this project. Cause its a people to people decentralized project.

This is why I spent a lot of time in Africa to study HOW this works and how to go about this.

So if one has done the homework one would know the workaround on this issues you raise. This is why i never talk about cooperating with Schools, governments or NGO's.

They, whom ever they are, can not stop this more than they can stop porn or drugs...

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puppy_apprentice
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#7 Post by puppy_apprentice »

Linux4Africa
http://www.linux4afrika.de/index.php?id=60&L=0
http://in.reset.to/projectpage/linux4af ... onal-level

i'm not a Linux developer, so i can't help u more
but i think that is good to establish contacts with organizations that are already running in Africa, even if they use Windows (like Hackers for Charity) you can ask for help in completing the computer equipment for children but use Linux instead of Windows

Atle
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#8 Post by Atle »

Honestly I do not want to leave you with the feeling of helping out here as these project are not relevant to the request for help.

But thanks anyway...

raffy
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wikipedia dvd

#9 Post by raffy »

How about content for schools?

You can download the offline Wikipedia DVD, but it is already too large for CD so just put it in hard disk.

You can share it in LAN using Samba (in Linux), or just decompress the downloaded zip to a Windows folder.

Since you already have Joomla, teaching them PHP can be a good start.
Puppy user since Oct 2004. Want FreeOffice? [url=http://puppylinux.info/topic/freeoffice-2012-sfs]Get the sfs (English only)[/url].

Atle
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#10 Post by Atle »

I agree about PHP Raffy...

I think that all languages that can be practiced on in a Puppy/LHMP/Joomla environment, should be included.

But I stick to what this is about and its computer education. If others would like to go outside the computer education concept, the Live CD with Joomla is there and can be downloaded by anyone for free.

But I have a strict roadmap to stick to and there is no such thing as having a wider concept before the concept is proven good and out there among the masses.

In general Raffy,,, This is a attempt to throw MS OUT of PC's and give Africans or any other third world folks a more rich computer experience and a better and less corrupt future...

so to get there its first thing first and that is to follow the roadmap and initial plan as it is with just minor adjustment in order to make the building of this technology easy for contributors and "partners"


jpeps
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#12 Post by jpeps »

Atle wrote:
In general Raffy,,, This is a attempt to throw MS OUT of PC's and give Africans or any other third world folks a more rich computer experience and a better and less corrupt future...
...nice for the puppy linux board, but otherwise doomed. People at the various training centers are earning fees by teaching MS Word, so they at least want dual-boot machines. Even in the US, most professional services (lawyers, etc.) use MS Word. Transferring documents between Word and OO is not always accurate. People in third world countries need compatible computers for professional purposes, so they can run businesses. They'll want to learn programs like QuickBooks.

After paying the high custom fees, nothing is "free" anyway.

Atle
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#13 Post by Atle »

I agree with you on most of what your saying.

As for this time Schoolux is about programming. There is not really a big challenge in dishing out 5.2.8.005 with preinstalled Libre Office.

Its looks to me as you did not read this thread properly. Schoolux is not training center software. Its for those that can not afford education, but can access a old computer at some point.

Now claiming that there is a dead end with comparability with Word and Libre Office is a myth. There are very good accounting alternatives that are QuickBook compatible like WebERP.

In the long term plan I hope to bring what yuu say, a business suite that has WebERP running merged with Joomla and Libre Office for small business.

About 50% of business in Africa is informal. That is like no tax and on street level. Like fixing computers(mostly removing viruses and adding pirate software with more viruses) and things like that.

Printcenters are also big.

These centers you talk about is equipped with incompetent teacher mostly. They would not even know the difference between MS Office and Libre Office. So I do not agree with you on your believes here as Schoolux is aiming toward enabling individuals to teach them self stuff and not to become a tool for schools.

jpeps
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#14 Post by jpeps »

Atle wrote:
These centers you talk about is equipped with incompetent teacher mostly. They would not even know the difference between MS Office and Libre Office. So I do not agree with you on your believes here as Schoolux is aiming toward enabling individuals to teach them self stuff and not to become a tool for schools.
I was referring to the reality that people need computer education to get jobs, and jobs generally require basic knowledge of MS products, like it or not. No matter how user-friendly I think linux is, I've never been able to convince anyone else of it...and that includes members of my own household. (however, there's no problem with android devices...)

When I talked with people in Guatemala last year, they noted that the problem wasn't acquiring cheap computers, it was overly expensive internet connections. That was the primary reason, I was told, that most people don't have one.

This topic reminds me of recent studies on projects designed to help people in third world nations, many of which failed because of insufficient research regarding what the people actually wanted.

note: Have you tried Kingsoft office suite? They have it free on Android.

Atle
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#15 Post by Atle »

If you read the text properly in the beginning of this thread you shall find that the project is about learning programming.

Now you change the subject to be about learning MS products and doing business. I do not understand how you can actually first miss totally on the subject, invent your own and then start to make critics based on your own dreamed up subject.

And on top of that you start to claim that I did not do research.

Maybe its time for you to contribute to another thread and project as I get a bit confused on your goals with your efforts here.

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L18L
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Re: Schoolux... The offline enviroment for learing programming

#16 Post by L18L »

To answer one of your questions:
Atle wrote:...I just read about BaCon and understand that can be used directly to change or develop Puppy. Yet I do not know if that goes for 5.2.8, or if its just for Wary?...
BaCon is not restricted to puppy, just one way to change or develop puppy see http://www.puppylinux.com/howto/programming.htm

python: dive into python, a free python book:
Distribute it on CD-ROM? Feel free. quoted from
http://www.diveintopython.net/ :D

Downloading JoomlaOnPuppy-Alpha.iso now

Atle
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#17 Post by Atle »

Hi L18L

Thanks for downloading and testing it out.

I just came to the conclusion that it might be better and more easy to "tank" up suggested content etc online and then download it and add it to the CD, remaster it once a week or so and upload it for development purposes.

The initial idea was to attract resource persons through having some smash hit Joomla Live CD, but I am moving away from that idea.

So I must restructure the entire website and rethink things a bit.

I think I shall try to find one or two really dedicated Joomla guys or girls that has a good overview of the whitepapers for Joomla.

As for Dive into Python its interesting not only as content, but also HOW the content is presented as they have files in several formats and as the target is to have as much GOOD content as possible, its important to find a balance between usability and how much space the file(s) like Dive into Python" acquires.

So after looking a bit at the formats and downloading it, it might just look like plain HTML might be the better choice as pure text seemed a bit hard to work on, thinking from a end user perspective.

Plain HTML is not the most light format, but sure is good looking and easy to maneuver etc.

I think Dive into Python and BaCon will be the two candidates for me to structure this and the only focus for the next weeks, until a new version is ready WITH that implemented.

I might even consider to go outside the initial plan to leave the Joomla as it is and maybe add Wordpress, Drupal and/or others for the PHP/HTML/CSS part... And just organize the rest as a part of Puppy and not INSIDE the Joomla(as Dive into Python etc.

Thanks for your input and tip on the Dive into Python. Please feel free to give some feedback on your experience with the JoonlaOnPuppy... Note that there is Akeeba Backup present, so if you make anything nice and want to use it, sell it or whatever, you can just make a backup in ZIP format and upload it to any Joomla capable server and install it as a new Joomla, but with your twist and content...

Pelo

Puppy in Africa : for every purpose

#18 Post by Pelo »

In Africa, they dont know Puppy Linux. Take profit of the web to inform them by joining their forums;

Atle
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#19 Post by Atle »

After spending some years there, there are a few that does know Puppy and uses it, but nearly a drop in the ocean.

To penetrate such a Windows dominated continent requires a good overall strategy that ranges across several methods, whereas being present on forums is one possibility.

The challenge there is that downloading Puppy is a large cost as most people are on "paid pr mb" mobile internet connections.

Right now this project is nothing more than a NGO in Tanzania, with nothing much more happening than me planning to make a comeback soon:-)

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GustavoYz
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#20 Post by GustavoYz »


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