wazmac || Linux Software for Schools

Software

Linux and Open Source Software for Schools

Software (mostly open-source) for Linux.
Many of these applications are also available for Mac OS X and/or Windows.

Linux OS Distributions

For the Linux newbie....
Installation is now very easy for non-techies.... download the iso > burn a CD > install on a computer.

These distributions can also be run from the CD so that you can test the OS (albeit slowly) before installing.

The installer usually has a built-in partitioning tool so that you can choose to keep your existing OS and files when you install, if you don't have a spare computer.

Alternatively, you can install a Linux OS in a VM environment using Parallels, VM Ware, etc.

Ubuntu: Very easy to install and use. Replicates all the features that we have come to expect from major OSs such as Mac and Win. Includes Open Office and Firefox.

See also:
UbuntuOne; Store and sync 2Gb of files in The Cloud for free. (Accessible from Mac & Win too.)

Edubuntu; This is an "add-on" to Ubuntu (above). Installs a variety of additional "educational" apps over the base Ubuntu installation.
gOS 3 Gadgets: Based on Ubuntu, and built around Google Gadgets and Apps. Also includes Open Office and Firefox as part of the very simple installation process.

See also:
gOS Cloud
Designed to be used to access "cloud" apps.
For the techno tinkerer....
(Check out Linux Ditros for a more comprehensive list.)
ArchLinux
BeLinux
Debian
Engarde: Internet-based OS.
gOS: Includes a Dock just like another popular OS! gOS Gadgets is built around Google Docs.
k12TSP: K12 terminal server project
Knoppix
Linspire

Linux-xp: Porting Windows XP desktop to a Linux environment.
Fedora
Mandriva
OpenSUSE: Now being implemented by Novell, and some school districts in the US. Over 4Gb to download.
Red Hat
Slackware

VectorLinux

'Education' Software

Canorus (Mac, Win, Lin): Music score editor.
Celestia (Mac, Win, Lin): Planetarium software.
ChildsPlay (Mac, Win, Lin): Educational games suite.
Crossword Builder (Web Based): Includes a maths capability.
eXe (Mac, Win, Lin): Multi-project authoring. Cloze, etc. Runs in a browser.
GCompris (Win, Lin): Educational activities for young children.
JMemorize (Win, Lin): Flashcard application.
LilyPond (Mac, Win, Lin): Music notation software.
Multiplication Station (Mac, Win, Lin): Maths drill software.
MuseScore (Win, Lin): Music score typesetter.
NoteEdit (Lin): Music score editor.
Stellarium (Mac, Win, Lin): Plenetarium software.
TuxMath (Win, Lin): Maths game software.
TuxMathScrabble (Mac, Win, Lin): Maths scrabble.
TuxPaint (Mac, Win, Lin): Painting application.
TuxType (Win, Lin): Typing tutor.
TuxWordSmith (Mac, Win, Lin): Scrabble game.

"Multimedia" Software

Art of Illusion (Mac, Win, Lin): 3D modelling software.
Audacity (Mac, Win, Lin): Sound editing and recording.
AvideMux (Mac, Win, Lin): Video editor.
Blender (Mac, Win, Lin): 3D animation software.
Gimp (Mac, Win, Lin): Image editor.
Gungirl Sequencer (Win, Lin): Audio track sequencer.
Hydrogen (Mac, Win, Lin): Drum machine.
Inkscape (Mac Win, Lin): Vector graphics editor, like Illustrator.
Jahshaka (Mac, Win, Lin): Video editor.
Miro (Mac, Win, Lin): Internet TV
VLC (Mac, Win, Lin): Multi-format video player.

What is Linux?

Linux.org

Linux @ Wikipedia

Open-source 'Office' Suites

Open Office (Mac, Win, Lin): Open source 'office' suite, comprising Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw & Base applications. Free.
Star Office (Win, Lin): Corporate implementation of Open Office. (Not free.)
Neo Office (Mac): Alternative Mac implementation of Open Office. PPC and Intel versions. Free.
OpenOSX Office (Mac): Full featured open source office software. Includes AbiWord, Gnumeric, Inkscape, Diagram, Gnucash and Gimp. Low cost.

Other 'Office' Software

AbiWord (Mac, Win, Lin): Fast and polished word processor.
Dia (Win, Lin): Diagramming software, similar to Visio.
GanttProject (Mac, Win, Lin): Gantt chart based project management software.
GNUCash (Win, Lin): Financial accounting software.
Gnumeric (Win, Lin): Full featured spreadsheet application.

Scribus (Mac, Win, Lin): Open-source DTP and page layout software. PPC Only for OS X. Free.
Sunbird (Mac. Win, Lin): Calendar application. From Mozilla.

Internet Software

Adium (Mac): Instant messaging software.
aMSN (Lin): Instant messaging software.
Azureus (Mac, Win, Lin): BitTorrent client.
eXe (Mac, Win, Lin): Includes a web editor. Runs in a browser.
FileZilla (Mac, Win, Lin): FTP client.
Firefox (Mac, Win, Lin): Popular web browser.
FrostWire (Mac, Win, Lin): Peer to peer filesharing.
Juice (Mac, Win, Lin): Podcast receiver.
Kompozer (Mac, Win, Lin): A development of the Nvu web editor.
Miro (Mac, Win, Lin): Internet TV
Nvu (Mac, Win, Lin): Web page editor.
Pidgin (Win, Lin): Instant messaging.
SeaMonkey (Mac, Win, Lin): All-in-one browser, web-editor, email suite.
Thunderbird (Mac, Win, Lin): Email client.

Linux Server Stuff

Fire Up Your Own Linux server: Notes about installing a Linux server.
LiveLAMP: Can turn any PC into an instant server capable of supporting up to 1,000 users.
SENTRAL (Commercial): A dedicated UNIX server built on FreeBSD 6, with a variety of plug-in modules to provide a complete educational "solution" for schools. All aspects of the software are web-based for admin, student or staff users.
Ubuntu Server: Built on Debian, the Ubuntu server provides a wide range of services, including a thin-client environment for Ubuntu and Edubuntu desktops.
XAMPP: XAMPP is an easy to install Apache distribution containing MySQL, PHP and Perl. Easy to install and to use - just download, extract and start. Ideal to install on Windows PCs.
See also:: Proxy servers and content filters.