Translations by Ari Torhamo

2008

Welcome to the world of Edubuntu, a Linux distribution designed for schools and other educational environments. Built on the popular Ubuntu, it is a complete operating system that includes an office suite, web browser, many educational applications, and much more. Edubuntu is designed to allow a teacher or network administrator to be able to set up a complete classroom quickly and easily. Edubuntu is committed to the principles of free and open source software, which means it is free of charge and will always remain that way. Open Source software aims to preserve the freedom to use, copy and change the software and to distribute those changes. This means Edubuntu can offer higher quality software at no cost, while allowing everyone to modify Edubuntu to fit the exact needs of their particular environment.

Edubuntu is comprised of several key technologies, one of which is the Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP), which allows you to boot thin clients from an Edubuntu LTSP server. For educational environments, LTSP lowers hardware costs by enabling the use of older machines as thin clients, as well as reduced administration overhead by having only to install and maintain the software on the server. When a workstation fails, it can simply be replaced without data loss or reinstallation of the operating system.

Any good educational platform should provide applications specifically for its target audience, and Edubuntu is no exception. For the younger crowd, just starting out with computers, Gcompris offers a fantastic early learning environment. For slightly older pupils, there is a number of games and activities from the Tux4Kids and KDEEdu projects, and for those in high school and older, there is a full office suite as well as applications for instant messaging, graphics, sound and video. And that is just by default! Edubuntu also includes access to thousands of other high quality open source programs at no cost.

<emphasis role="strong">Compatible</emphasis> - Most educational computing uses a mix of Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X and Linux. In this setting, you need an operating system that plays well with others. Edubuntu does that. Edubuntu servers can happily coexist on the same network as other operating systems; OpenOffice.org can open and save Microsoft Office formats, such as Powerpoint, Word and Excel documents, and you can even install Edubuntu and another operating system on the same machine. Need to share files between Edubuntu and other operating system or connect to a remote server? Edubuntu does that too.

<emphasis role="strong">Secure</emphasis> - Security has become a key challenge for educators, and the team behind Edubuntu recognize this. Often, schools lack the specialized IT staff or time to lock down and clean up computers. Edubuntu, being a Linux-based operating system, enjoys the security advantages of its Unix and open source heritages. This translates into higher quality code and fewer threats from spyware and viruses that plague other operating systems. In addition, Edubuntu has a strict, proactive security policy, meaning many common problems such as open ports or misconfigured software are much less of an issue. Finally, Edubuntu is a true multi-user operating system, making it easy to allow users to complete their tasks without compromising the system.

<emphasis role="strong">Managable</emphasis> - With teachers and school IT departments deploying and administering an increasingly large number of computers, time to manage individual computers is scarce to non-existant. Edubuntu, by using LTSP thin client technology, makes deployment and management simple and easy. A single server is all that is needed to set up, manage and administrate an entire classroom full of computers. The Edubuntu team also recognizes that not every school's setup is the same. As such, Edubuntu is easy to customize for your unique needs, whether it be a simple rebranding or the addition or removal of programs. Hence Edubuntu can reduce the amount of time you spend administrating your computers.

<emphasis role="strong">Cost Effective</emphasis> - With ever-increasing demands on budgets, it seems expensive technology is often last on the list. Edubuntu can help you offer what your students increasingly require from computer technology, without breaking the bank. Edubuntu is and always will be free to acquire, use and modify. Need to set up another machine? Or another hundred? Just install them! No more expensive OS upgrades and licenses, or only having specific programs on some computers. Since Edubuntu is built on Open Source software, schools are welcome to seek whomever they wish to help them support their computers and are not locked into getting help from the vendor. Edubuntu can also help you save hardware costs by allowing you to redeploy older machines as thin clients using LTSP technology.

<emphasis role="strong">Well Supported</emphasis> - Edubuntu support is available from both the Edubuntu community and the larger Ubuntu community. Many of the authors of the software included in Edubuntu can be contacted directly via mailing lists and IRC channels, including the Edubuntu developers themselves. There are many forms of support available on mailing lists, wiki websites, IRC channels and bug trackers. There is also a special support group for using Edubuntu in schools. Should you want paid support, Canonical, who funds Edubuntu and Ubuntu development, can offer assistance, or you could find a local company who offer similar services. With Edubuntu, the choice is yours.

<emphasis role="strong">Built for Education</emphasis> - Above all, what sets Edubuntu apart from other operating systems is its unwavering focus on the educational needs of children all over the world. Edubuntu's motto is "Linux for Young Human Beings", and every development decision and application has that goal in mind. Edubuntu comes with translations for many languages and localization features that allow people from all over the world to enjoy their computing experience, as well as acessibility features to help disabled users. The Live CD allows pupils to boot their home computers into Edubuntu and use exactly the same applications that they are using at school. The LTSP server software allows teachers and administrators to create a low-cost computer lab so that students can have access to the best educational opportunities that Edubuntu and the Internet can provide.

Edubuntu aims to be a complete and ready-to-use educational environment. As such, Edubuntu comes pre-installed with a complete office suite, teaching and learning programs, pre-school resources and much more, across a range of categories. Here is a brief summary and some screenshots for the most popular Edubuntu packages, and if you need more, Edubuntu has thousands of additional applications ready for you to install.

Firefox is the incredible successor to the hugely popular Mozilla browser. Among its many features are tabbed browsing, which makes viewing multiple sites a breeze, pop-up blocking, live bookmarks and great accessibility support. Combine these with its fantastic customisation engine and you have the most powerful web browsing at your fingertips.

Moving beyond the simple web browser, Edubuntu also comes with an email client and personal information manager, <application>Evolution</application>. Video conferencing with <application>Ekiga</application> and instant messaging and chat with <application>Gaim</application> provide communication tools that teachers and students need in an Internet age.

For all your video and audio playback and editing needs, Edubuntu provides several programs including <application>Rhythmbox</application> for playing music and <application>Serpentine</application> for burning audio CDs. <application>Sound Juicer</application> rips audio CD tracks to your computer. <application>Totem</application> is an excelent video and movie player, and you can use <application>Kino</application> to edit video clips. <application>Sound Recorder</application> can be used to record audio clips to your computer.

<emphasis role="strong">Explore the stars</emphasis> - <application>KStars</application> is a Desktop Planetarium that provides an accurate graphical simulation of the night sky. The program includes details for 130000 stars, 13000 deep-sky objects and all of the planets. <application>KStars</application> has an easy to use interface, so it can be used by everyone, from amateurs to astronomy experts. You will also find a great deal of general information regarding telescopes and other astronomy-related matter.

<emphasis role="strong">Research the periodic table</emphasis> - <application>Kalzium</application> is a package for discovering and researching information about the periodic table and the elements. It includes pictures for most of the 111 elements present, along with more detailed information including atomic models, spectrum analysis, chemical data and energies.

<emphasis role="strong">Test your chemistry skills</emphasis> - <application>Atomix</application> is a puzzle game, the purpose of which is to make up the molecule displayed from the atomic pieces scattered throughout the level.

<emphasis role="strong">Program in Logo</emphasis> - <application>KTurtle</application> is a Logo programming language interpreter. The Logo programming language is very easy to learn and thus it can be used by young children. A unique quality of Logo is that the commands or instructions can be translated, so the 'programmer' can program in his or her native language. This makes Logo ideal for teaching kids the basics of programming, mathematics and geometry. One of the reasons many children warm to Logo is that the programmable icon is a small turtle, which can be moved around the screen with simple commands and can be programmed to draw objects.

<emphasis role="strong">Create geometric constructions</emphasis> - <application><application>Kig</application></application> allows teachers and students to create high-precision geometrical constructions. These can be built on and used to explain concepts like perpendicular bisectors, tangents and arcs.

<emphasis role="strong">Plot mathematical equations</emphasis> - <application>KmPlot</application> is a mathematical function graphing and plotting package. <application>KmPlot</application> has a powerful built-in expression parser, and you can plot different functions simultaneously and combine their terms to build more complex mathematical functions. It supports functions with parameters and functions in polar coordinates. Plots may also be printed with high precision.

<emphasis role="strong">Calculate percentages</emphasis> - <application>KPercentage</application> is a mathematical application that helps pupils improve their skills in calculating percentages. Percentages are split into three types, and <application>KPercentage</application> tests pupils on these in three training modes. In addition to this, there is a random mode which will pick questions from each of the three percentage question variations.

<emphasis role="strong">Practice Fractions</emphasis> - <application>KBruch</application> is a small program to help pupils practice calculations involving fractions. There are four different types of fraction exercise:

Exercise Fraction Task, where pupils have to solve a given fraction task

Exercise Comparison, where pupils have to compare two given fractions' sizes

Exercise Conversion, where pupils have to convert an already-given number into a fraction

Exercise Factorization, where pupils have to factor a given number into its prime factors

<emphasis role="strong">Play at Math</emphasis> - <application>TuxMath</application> is an educational arcade game starring Tux, the Linux mascot! Based on the classic arcade game "Missile Command," Tux must defend his cities by solving arithmetic problems.

<emphasis role="strong">Tux Paint</emphasis> - <application>Tux Paint</application> is a free drawing program designed for young children. The program provides an easy to use interface with fun sound effects and an encouraging cartoon mascot that gives help to children while they are painting.

<emphasis role="strong">Generate Fractals</emphasis> - <application>Xaos</application> is a fractal generator with a whole host of extra features for teaching pupils about fractal patterns.

<emphasis role="strong">Practice Spanish verbs</emphasis> - With <application>KVerbos</application> you can practice Spanish verb conjugation. The program comes with a set of over 9,000 Spanish verbs that you can choose from to begin your verb training. The package also keeps track of previous scores so that pupils can identify where their strengths and weaknesses are. Some exercises also have a time limit, to raise the level of difficulty for more advanced users.

<emphasis role="strong">Play Hangman</emphasis> - <application>KHangman</application> is the classic hangman game, where pupils try to guess a word letter by letter.

<emphasis role="strong">Generate and give tests</emphasis> - <application>KEduca</application> is an educational testing package, allowing teachers to create tests for pupils to take. <application>KEduca</application> includes a module for constructing and saving new tests, as well as a separate module for loading and running the exams. Questions can be enhanced with images, multiple choice answers with varying weights, and time limits.

<emphasis role="strong">Learn touch typing</emphasis> - <application>KTouch</application> helps pupils learn to type quickly and correctly. With many different modes and detailed reporting, <application>KTouch</application> truly makes learning touch-typing easy.

<emphasis role="strong">Gcompris</emphasis> - <application>Gcompris</application> is a suite of over 80 educational games and activities for kids age 4 to 10 to learn with. These include: