[16:32] <TheProf> Good day. I hope everyone is well. I am looking for some help with my current FreeNX/No Machine client setup please. I have two servers: An LTSP Fedora 10 box and an Edubuntu 10.10 box. Both sitting in the same server rack, plugged into the same Internet connection. When I use the NX client to connect from my home-based Windows machine, the Fedora server is *much* faster than the Ubuntu one...
[16:32] <TheProf> ...even though the Ubuntu server has much more superior hardware. Is there a way to resolve this please?
[16:33] <TheProf> Both servers had FreeNX installed using the regular repository route (yum and apt-get) so nothing customized.  The Fedora session runs beautifully -- it's like I'm sitting at the computer. It's amazing really. The Ubuntu one is more like I'm on a slow modem, watching window edges being drawn.
[16:33] <TheProf> Thank you
[16:38] <mhall119> TheProf: do you have desktop effects enabled in Ubuntu
[16:38] <mhall119> ?
[16:39] <TheProf> hello mhall119  - no I turned them off
[16:39] <mhall119> same screen resolutions used by both
[16:39] <mhall119> ?
[16:40] <TheProf> yes - I set it in the NX client configuration to 1024x768
[16:40] <mhall119> hmm...
[16:40] <mhall119> were desktop effects enabled by default on the Fedora setup?
[16:41] <TheProf> I don't believe so. I think with Fedora 10 they would have had to have been installed intentionally
[16:42] <mhall119> okay, maybe you need to install/enable the xdamage extension on the Ubuntu box
[16:42] <mhall119> that usually caused problems when remote-viewing if you have 3d effects enabled, so it might have been left off by default on Ubuntu
[16:43] <TheProf> I just checked the fedora installation and there are no desktop effects installed.
[16:44] <TheProf> For the xdamage extension - this is something that is suppose to help the remote-viewing or is needed for it?
[16:46] <TheProf> It's strange because on edubuntu all the window's title bars are messed up.  ANd only the title bars.  They are, for lack of a better term, blurry.
[16:49] <mhall119> because the default visual effects on ubuntu use semi-transparent title bars probably
[16:50] <TheProf> OK I understand.
[16:52] <TheProf> OK found an instruction step for the xdamage extension: "A gconf option (/desktop/gnome/remote_session/disable_xdamage) has been added to disable the xdamage extension which is a temporary workaround although it requires more bandwidth. Enable the option through gconf-editor."
[16:54] <mhall119> it's remote_access, not remote_session, in my 10.10 setup
[16:55] <TheProf> OK I don't think I have the gconf-editor - just looking for it now
[16:55] <mhall119> you have it, it's part of Gnome
[16:55] <mhall119> just alt+F2, and run it
[16:55] <mhall119> but I think that key might be only for the built-in VNC server, does FreeNX use that?
[16:56] <TheProf> Not sure - I will try it now
[17:01] <TheProf> mhall119: I've changed that option, logged out and back in via FreeNX and I believe it has shown some marginal improvement.  The titlebar is still a problem and it isn't yet remotely the same as the Fedora instance, but it is better thank you.
[17:01] <TheProf> I wonder why it's so different.
[17:02] <mhall119> TheProf: go to System->Preferences->Appearance and make sure visual effects are disabled
[17:04] <TheProf> System -> Preferences -> Appearances -> Visual Effects set to None.
[17:05] <mhall119> hmmm
[17:05] <mhall119> in that case, I don't know what wouold be causing the titlebar issues
[17:06] <mhall119> or the slowness in general
[17:07] <TheProf> It is strange for sure.
[17:08] <TheProf> I already asked in the NX channel but it seems to be unresponsive.  Should I risk going into the ubuntu channel and asking? :)
[17:36] <mhall119> it couldn't hurt
[17:36] <mhall119> ...much
[17:40] <masai47> Hello everyone,  I am looking for some advice.  I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana.  I am downloading edubuntu right now.  I hope to be installing it on six different computers at a small school in another village next week.  What advice do you have for installing and setting it up?
[17:42] <masai47> I unfortunately dont have access to the computers right now, and none of them will be connected to the internet (at least for the near future)
[17:50] <TheProf> masai47: I just installed Edubuntu last week and it was a flawless installation.  Not sure if you're looking for any specific advice?
[17:51] <masai47> I have no ideas yet on how I should set up different user accounts
[17:52] <masai47> I was also thinking about installing some additional programs
[17:54] <TheProf> You may find that without internet it will be difficult to install additional software but you should find the stock installation already has a bunch of educational software on it.
[17:54] <TheProf> Will you be using it as an LTSP server or just a bunch of standalone computers?
[17:55] <masai47> a bunch of standalone
[17:55] <masai47> well just 6
[17:57] <TheProf> OK - if they are standalone machines you'll find it's a bit more effort to set it up - as you'll either have to 1) assign a specific computer to specific uses  2) have another machine act as a fileserver if you want their files to follow them around 3) set them up as auto-login kiosks .  I guess it depends on how you plan on using them.
[17:58] <masai47> I dont think they will even be connected
[17:58] <masai47> if I was there for a longer period of time and had more resources maybe
[17:59] <masai47> the problem is that there will not be an experienced user managing these computers
[18:00] <masai47> me offering them free software meant they could get 6 machines instead of 5
[18:00] <TheProf> Perhaps the best solution is just to install them separately, then create the users on each machine using the System ->Administration -> users and groups menu option.  Once you've got the accounts created it's very easy -- you won't need an experienced user managing things
[18:00] <masai47> ok
[18:01] <masai47> I think I have the wrong word, some one suggested maybe refactoring?? the ISO after I have created a setup I like on one machine (with possibly additional programs installed)
[18:02] <masai47> that way if there are serious problems they can simply reinstall from scratch from a DVD or USB I give them
[18:02] <TheProf> I think you might be talking about re-imaging?
[18:03] <TheProf> IE: someone messes something up so they can restore it back to a new installation /  prior setup?
[18:04] <masai47> re imaging is the word
[18:04] <masai47> but that would also allow me to set it up on a different computer over the next few days with access to internet
[18:05] <TheProf> I don't have much experience with reimaging.  In order to do it effectively I'd imagine you'd need a network of some sort to back up the operating system and all files to another machine in order to re-image it later.
[18:16] <masai47> I was looking into programs like remastersys
[18:18] <TheProf> masai47: looks interesting. never heard of it but it may do what you need.  You could try contacting the author directly to see if it fits your need.
[18:19] <masai47> From what I have read it looks like it does.  just wondered if anybody had experience with it.
[18:21] <masai47> I have been using Ubuntu for a few years but just as a basic user.  I dont know if any educators have any advice that I can pass on about using edubuntu with school kids of various ages.  As well as any advice on simple user setups (i.e. Primary, Middle school, High school, or one for each grade?  An account for each student?)  Setups for teachers?
[18:24] <TheProf> I've always used it focusing on the LTSP functionality so there was no real issue with re-imaging the different student machines, etc.  I personally use webmin to manage the accounts because it lets me bulk-create hundreds of students in one step.
[18:24] <masai47> ok
[18:25] <masai47> I dont think there will be that many users in this situation
[18:26] <TheProf> Webmin lets you manage nearly every aspect of the server in a pretty straightforward easy manner so you may want to look into it
[18:26] <masai47> sadly no way to network these few machine or connect them to the web
[18:28] <TheProf> you can run webmin locally without internet access after it's been installed
[18:29] <masai47> computers wont be networked
[18:30] <masai47> and there will be no serious admin user
[18:30] <masai47> I was thinking of just having a few generic accounts
[18:31] <TheProf> That would work perfectly well
[18:33] <masai47> this is a random question but you have been very helpful.  Are you online most days? and what hours?
[18:36] <TheProf> masai47: actually this is the first time I am in this channel :)  I came in looking for some help with a specific problem I am dealing with.
[18:36] <TheProf> I would recommend that you still try this channel as there are others who can help I'm sure.
[18:36] <masai47>  ok
[18:36] <masai47> thanks though
[18:36] <masai47> hope you found help as well
[18:37] <TheProf> still working on my problem :) thanks
[18:45] <masai47> new question that may be better suited for the general Ubuntu channel.  After dual booting a windows machine (I have done this) what is the process for removing that Ubuntu install?  or how difficult is it set it up so that most people using the computer are unaffected by the Linux partition
[18:50] <TheProf> Try this link for how to do that http://forums.techarena.in/operating-systems/1113117.htm
[18:50] <masai47> thanks
[18:51] <masai47> sorry for making you do a google search that I could have probably done myself
[18:52] <TheProf> No I had done it a long time ago and remembered that it was online someplace
[20:05] <robehend1> Anyone care to help with getting Home Folders shared and writeable by windows users in 10.04 LTSP?
[20:23] <mgariepy> you want to export /home/$USER/ with a samba share from a windows server ?
[20:23] <mgariepy> ha
[20:23] <mgariepy> oops
[21:15] <masai47> I am installing edubuntu on a computer with a pre-existing Windows XP installation and am having to use the advanced partitioning tool.  The partition for edubuntu should be Ext4, or 3 or 2?  which is best?  Thank you
[21:16] <mhall119> use ext4
[21:18] <masai47> thanks
[21:21] <masai47> when choosing the Device for boot loader installation.  Is it is ok to just select /dev/sda? or should I choose the specific partition for edubuntu?  e.g. /dev/sda3
[21:22] <masai47> and something that may affect the answer is that I may be forced to delete the Ubuntu partition yet will still need to have it boot into Windows (sadly)  and will not have an XP disk to do a repair
[21:47] <masai47> hope I did not miss a response (my connection in Africa is not always stable)
[21:47] <mhall119> masai47: /dev/sda is fine
[21:47] <masai47> thanks a lot
[21:47] <mhall119> if you delete uBuntu and still need windows
[21:47] <mhall119> you'll need to boot from the windows CD and restore it's bootloader
[21:48] <masai47> (this is a government computer and I cant mess with the XP partition much)
[21:48] <masai47> ok, is there away of reducing that partition to being very small and have grub loader load windows automatically with out a pause?
[21:49] <alkisg> masai47: you can also use wubi for installation within the windows partition. That also uses the windows bootloader so it's easier to remote ubuntu.
[21:49] <alkisg> *remove
[21:50] <masai47> would that be easier?
[21:50] <mhall119> masai47: you might want to try WUBI then, instead of creating a partition for Ubuntu
[21:50] <mhall119> like alkisg said, before I finished typing
[21:51] <masai47> opps, might be too late
[21:51] <masai47> any easy way to stop the install once it has started
[21:55] <masai47> I think it started the partitioning process and there is no cancel choice.  Not sure if the first task is to write the grub loader
[22:05] <masai47> I am now wondering if this has gotten stuck.  I have gone forward through to the "Who are you?" page.  I cant go forward yet there are green checks next to every entry
[22:07] <alkisg> How big is your windows C:\Documents and settings?
[22:07] <alkisg> At some point it tries to import windows accounts... don't check that, it'll copy all of your data too
[22:08] <masai47> never mind.  If I use Wubi and install it inside the windows partition
[22:08] <masai47> can it still use a linux swap partition?
[23:07] <masai47> can someone confirm that wubi can install Edubuntu
[23:08] <masai47> It says it does not support DVD or alternate install disk and I find no mention of edubuntu
[23:09] <masai47> It says to run wubi in the same folder as the ISO but that does not seem to be working, it just tries to download (not possible as I am behind a proxie) and there are no options for selecting a previously downloaded ISO