Welcome to Open 1-to-1
From Open 1-To-1
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USBMaker and Image
Click HERE to get the latest software, imaging tool, and more!
USBmaker Page
The Software List
Many of you have been asking for a list of software that is a part of the Open 1to1 image. We've started compiling that list, beginning with Educational Software. You can view the list here. EducationSoftwareList
For Community and Education
Open 1-to-1 is a not for profit organization that provides resources and support for schools that want to deploy 1-to-1 computer solutions. Our organization is comprised of school technologists, educators, consultants, vendors, and other parties which collaborate to provide a comprehensive set of solutions and services for the Open 1-to-1 community. The mission of this organization is to make 1-to-1 computing more affordable, and create solutions that further aid in learning and greater opportunities for students and their communities.
What Does It Cost?
Open 1-to-1 is providing all the information and technical solutions (software) for free. There are of course going to be costs associated with any 1-to-1 deployment (training, support, hardware, etc). Open 1-to-1 develops the technical solution and brings the community together to provide the necessary services and support, allowing everyone to be involved in the process. The result will be higher quality and greater volumes of different services to make 1-to-1 computing more powerful and effective in schools.
Announcements
Link to Open 1-to-1 Announcement Letter
The Solution
The Open 1-to-1 solution includes all the technical and service pieces necessary for a successful 1-to-1 deployment. The solution is divided into four major components:
Netbooks
Open 1-to-1 is not beholden to any hardware manufacturer, and can be used with any laptop or netbook product. Schools may choose to purchase their netbooks directly from the manufacturer, or participate in buying groups (Open 1-to-1 is working with several) to secure better pricing. Open 1-to-1 will make recommendations for which netbook or laptop schools should choose based on consideration for price, warranty, and capability.
Currently retail pricing for netbooks starts at around $200 and goes up, depending on brand, OS, and battery life. Until manufacturers have made actual bids, its impossible to know the exact cost of a netbook 1-to-1 deployment, but it is reasonable to say that it will be between 1/4 and 1/3 of a traditional laptop deployment. More details on netbook pricing soon!
Operating System and End User Software
A customized Ubuntu based operating system will be maintained and provided by Open 1-to-1. The image will be preloaded with various open source programs, including a full suite of office applications, graphics and video editing, camera/webcam, email client, and an assortment of educational programs. Instructions, tools, and support will be provided for deploying the Ubuntu image.
Infrastructure/Management
Open 1-to-1 is assembling a series of infrastructure and management components that will make your netbook deployment easy and practical.
Imaging Server
A customized imaging server solution will be provided for network imaging netbooks with the Ubuntu OS. This will most likely be a Clonezilla server image, or similar open source solution, and will support PXE/CD/USB imaging of netbooks.
Wireless Networks
As with the hardware for a 1:1 deployment, wireless infrastructure is not a one size fits all approach. We will be collecting and offering best practices for creating and maintaining a wireless infrastructure for supporting a 1:1 computing environment (probably even a 1:many as more and more devices get wireless connectivity).
One solution that you may find compatible with an Open 1to1 solution would be the open source mesh networking solution located at http://www.open-mesh.com[1] The devices are relatively inexpensive ($29-49 each as of this writing) and provide many features that schools may find useful such as:
- bandwidth monitoring (even on a per user basis)
- self healing mesh network
- bandwidth throttling
- custom welcome splash pages can be added
- RSS feeds can be displayed in users browsers (think of things like upcoming training, school events, lunch menus, you name it)
- centralized web based control panel (you can either run your own controller locally or use the one at open-mesh.com or both)
- adding new devices is as simple as entering them in the web form and plugging them in, they configure themselves
- add features you want to the dashboard tool, it is open source
- customized shell scripts can be deployed to the devices through the web interface
- email notification when units have problems
- possibility of two SSIDs for running two separate networks
- ability to stop network clients from communicating directly with each other, reducing broadcast traffic and protecting users from other users on teh network
- whitelisting and blacklisting capabilities by MAC address
At Open1to1.org we are investigating the possibility of creating a specialized dashboard for schools to use when configuring and administrating the devices.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Student Data Access
A web based solution for uploading student documents/data to a local or online server is being put together.
Open1to1.org is also investigating backup solutions that can be deployed locally or remotely depending on the schools preferences.
Remote Backup Solutions being investigated:
Technical Services and Support
Community
Open 1-to-1 will offer community forum support so that users can exchange advice and solutions with each other. The Open 1-to-1 technical team will also address issues on the forums as the come up. Workshops and conferences will also serve as opportunities for members to work with each other and explore solutions.
Commercial
Open 1-to-1 will be providing a list of commercial resources for paid support and additional training, if it is so desired. This support network will consist of local consultants, other school IT people, and traditional service companies. There will be plenty of different options to get commercial support for members that want it. This open support network also introduces the potential for even more specialized services for member schools.
Professional Development
Open 1-to-1 will utilize a community of resources to provide high quality and comprehensive user training.
Call for Professional Development Personnel and Resources!
WE WANT YOU! If you are a Professional Development Specialist or a talented educator...please get involved! Open 1-to-1 is looking for people with experience in creating and delivering high quality professional development surrounding the deployment of technology in schools. We plan on delivering the content in multiple ways. We need help with face to face, online and self paced content. Watch this space for more information on how you can help!
Call for Professional Software Developers!
WE WANT YOU! If you are a Professional Developer or a talented open source programmer...please get involved! We can use your skills. Fame and fortune will be yours. People from all over will adore you. Statues will be raised in your honor! Ok...maybe we're exaggerating a little, but seriously, we'd love to have your help and involvement. Watch this space for more information on how you can help!
FOSSED
The Free & Open Source Software in Education Conference, also known as FOSSed, is a concept whose time has come. For many years folks have engaged in teaching the use of proprietary applications to serve an immediate need under the guise of long-term preparation. We've learned that this is an exercise in futility. People change. Applications change. Given this inevitable change, it makes more sense to engage in the teaching of practical concepts related to computers and software in general. FOSSed is committed to providing meaningful professional development opportunities for educators and technology personnel to enhance learning, deployment, and integration. FOSSed will serve as one of the means for providing training for those involved in 1-to-1 initiatives. Sessions dealing with topics that are beneficial to Open 1-to-1 will be offered at FOSSed 2009 (June 24th - 26th at Gould Academy in Bethel, ME USA). Come and learn all about netbooks/laptops, deployment, integration, and ask questions about how you can get the most out of your netbook/laptop project. Register today at http://www.fossed.com
Community
Start contributing your ideas and questions now! Sign-up and become a member of the forum!
Questions and Answers
As questions come in through the forum and via email, we will try to post them here. If you want to ask a question, you may Email us or go to the forum.
If we have specific software in addition to that which you provide on the image how/when is that installed?
Open 1-to-1 will be providing an imaging solution that will enable the IT department to create customized images, based on the "master image" from Open 1-to-1. So, if you want to add additional software, you will install the application on the computer, image the computer, and then clone all of your other laptops with the same image. We are also exploring just sending out .deb packages vs. entire OS images, which may be more efficient. More details on that soon.
Development
Work has begun on an imager for Open 1-to-1. This will be a specialized peace of software designed to make imaging as simple as possible. You can learn more on the Imager page.
Open 1-to-1 Board
The Open 1-to-1 board is responsible for assembling and managing the project, and each member brings enormously valuable skills and experience to the table.
Bryant Patten
Board Member
Mr. Patten has spent the last 20 years developing educational software for a variety of clients. He has managed the engineering departments for several companies, including his own, and has won several awards for software design. He is currently bringing Open Source software solutions to schools to help maximize their technology dollars and close the digital divide between students of diverse economic backgrounds. Mr Patten is also the Executive Director of the National Center for Open Source Software in Education – a non profit organization advocating Open Source adoption in K-12 schools throughout the country. Email
Brendan Powers
Board Member
Brendan has over 10 years experience in high level Linux and open source software development and deployment, and currently serves at the Chief Technology Officer of Resara. Brendan will be providing his extensive expertise to help design, implement, and support the Open 1-to-1 solution. Email
David Trask
Board Member
David Trask has been a teacher and technology director for over 20 years. He is currently the Technology Director/Teacher at Vassalboro Community School in Vassalboro Maine USA. He has been a champion and pioneer in the use of Linux and Open Source in the classroom. David is also the founder of the highly successful FOSSed conference held each year in the Northeastern US. He has presented on various technology topics at the local, national, and international level. In 2007, David was named the Maine Technology Educator of the Year. Email
Shaun Meredith
Board Member
Shaun Meredith was the senior project manager for Apple, responsible for the implementation of the World's largest educational technology program. The project consists of over 44,000 iBook computers in the hands of Maine students and educators as well as professional development programs, servers, collaboration systems, and wireless networks. Prior to his work at Apple, Shaun was instrumental in the formation of several technology start ups in the Boston area. Shaun is the author of a patent and an avid proponent of technology in education. He has a BS and MS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently completing his PhD at MIT. Shaun brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for open source and large scale 1to1 deployments. Email
Sharon Betts
Board Member
With educational experiences in and out of the classroom for over 30 years, Sharon is a major influence in using technology for learning. She has taught and consulted in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Sharon promotes the use of open source and web based tools in the PreK-12 environment. She has presented face-to-face and virtually both nationally and internationally. Technology and Education are her passions. Sharon is presently the Educational Technology Coordinator in MSAD#52, Turner - Greene - Leeds, Maine USA. Email
Warren Luebkeman
Founder, Board Member
Warren has established and managed dozens of Linux and open source deployments in schools throughout New England and across the country. Currently he is the Chief Operating Officer of Resara, a company that develops Linux thin client solutions, and other Linux related products and services. He is a strong proponent of the use of open source software in schools, the promotion of open source projects and resources, and advocates its use at local and national conferences on a regular basis.
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