[K12OSN] Discussion on sound (not meant as a rant)

Fri Jan 19 23:34:07 UTC 2007

Dave,

You might want to consider using VMware to do a
test-install of the latest version of K12LTSP.  They
have a free-of-charge version now.  I've installed it
on a couple different machines, so I could give you
pointers if you need it.

Also, somebody mentioned upgrading to the latest
version of LTSP on your current K12LTSP installation. 
I can probably help you with that, too.  I upgraded
LTSP on an Ubuntu machine and the LTSP installer lets
you save the new LTSP tree w/o erasing the old one. 
For instance, you can have /opt/ltsp_old_version and
/opt/ltsp_new_version.  Then to switch back and forth
between the two versions, it's just a matter of
changing a few config files to give the proper
location of the kernels and the root path, etc.

-Rob (in NJ)

--- David Hopkins <dahopkins429 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks!  Thanks!  Looks like my weekend is going to
> be busy.  I'll try to
> answer alot of questions so far.
> 
> My thin clients are based on the Via Epia 533 mb
> (Casetronic) with 128mnb
> memory and 15" LCD monitors so that isn't a problem.
>  We do have some older
> recycled PC's, but ... everyone that says they have
> to have sound have the
> Epias.  We have 10 Windows-based desktops (certain
> staff members that have
> to work with the state) and 3 wireless laptop labs.
> 
> The school director has been very supportive, but
> also has 40+
> teachers/staff and next year NCS adds grades K-4
> (650 students) so we will
> be a K-8 charter school (1300+ students).  All
> students/staff/teachers  have
> individual login accounts.  Maintaining this hasn't
> been a real issue for
> the most part (4-6 hours per week mostly, after it
> is set up) except for the
> sound issue.  The school can get donated PC's (PIII
> 1GHz) with Windows 2000
> for essentially no cost through a state PC-recycling
> program that numerous
> companies contribute their older systems, so I have
> a difficult time with
> making the case that upfront, moving to Windows is
> more costly.  (I have my
> MCSE for Windows thanks to my real job, though I am
> actually an engineer and
> do the IT-stuff as needed)  App-wise, we use
> StarOffice (site license for
> what, about $70.00 total?) and mostly opensource
> everywhere else (exception
> is Type to Learn and now UnitedStreaming).  The
> state provides the student
> attendance/class scheduling software (requires IE at
> present though the next
> version is supposedly browser-agnostic).  I have two
> Windows terminal
> servers to handle windows-specific apps. (one for
> teachers, one for
> students).
> 
> My only other concern is that my switches may need
> to be upgraded (I have
> netgear equipment, 24 and 48 port switches with
> Gigabit links to the
> servers).  The K12LTSP servers are all dual 2.4Ghz
> with u320 SCSI, 8Gb
> memory.  I still have that issue where I can't use
> the hardware RAID at
> present, but  ... will sort it out eventually.
> 
> As mentioned, since sound works for things like
> tuxtype, I should be close
> to having it all in place.  Haven't tried compiling
> from source in a long
> time, so ... we will see. :)
> 
> I am a stickler on my licensing.  Many of the
> OSS-friendly companies have a
> hard enough time without stretching the definition
> of what constitutes a
> system and user.  I will contact codeweavers and see
> what options are
> available.  As for next year when we add the other
> grades, I am talking with
> the IT director and the school director to determine
> how much support I can
> reasonably provide.  If they stay with K12LTSP and
> minimal desktops, it can
> be done without much additional effort. Also, the IT
> director is coming
> along in handling routine day-to-day issues.  If the
> schools goes completely
> to Windows, then they will need to add a full time
> staff person just to
> handle the sudden addition of 300+ desktop systems
> probably.  That is one of
> the really strong points about the linux-based thin
> client approach: once
> you have it set up, it will typically just run
> without many issues.
> 
> If I can just get through this deadline, then with
> the advances occurring
> with LTSP, things should be in very good shape for
> next fall.
> 
> Again, thanks to everyone who responded.  I will let
> you know how it turns
> out.  And ... if I can learn enough, all of this
> would be very good to put
> on the wiki.  I know alot is there, but a 'from
> scratch with this distro'
> approach can't hurt. Just have to find time.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Dave Hopkins
> 
> 
> 
> On 1/19/07, Krsnendu dasa <krsnendu108 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > On 20/01/07, John Lucas <mrjohnlucas at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > As long as you have basic ESD sound working you
> should be able to get
> > the the
> > > other critical applications running. I don't
> know where you got mplayer
> > from,
> > > but when I installed it, it did not have ESD
> support compiled into the
> > RPMs,
> > > so I had to build my own from sources. To
> illustrate, here is the
> > initial
> > > result from the "mplayer -ao help" command:
> > Yes It is much better to install from source.
> Follow the instructions@
> >
>
http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mplayer-fedora.html
> > The key point is to have esd support. It should be
> autodetected during
> > configuration
> > >
> > > The other important application is Flash9. You
> need to compile the
> > support
> > > addon from RevolutionLinux:
> > >
> > >        
> http://pulseaudio.revolutionlinux.com/PulseAudio
> > >
> > > I have both Mplayer and Flash9 working on
> K12LTSP v5 (LTSP v4.2u4). It
> > *can*
> > > be done. It is way important to carefully follow
> the troubleshooting
> > > instructions for LTSP sound on the wiki without
> skipping any steps.
> > Make sure you add the cron job script that keeps
> Flash sound working.
> > >
> > > > Next, my version of LTSP still has the 'only
> works for first user'
> > issue.
> >
> > > What are you intending to upgrade? If all you
> want is to upgrade LTSP,
> > then
> > > dowload the latest "ltspadmin" and upgrade. If
> you want to upgrade the
> > base
> > > OS, you *could* use K12LTSP v6 (which used
> Fedora Core 6 as it's base),
> > but
> > > at this late date, you might have to completely
> start over, since it
> > > represents a major departure from previous LTSP
> versions (using muekow
> > > instead of a separate LTSP distribution). I
> haven't tried it yet myself,
> > so
> > > seek those with greater experience with the new
> version.
> >
> > Correction:. K12LTSP is still based on LTSP4.2
> > The next version based on Fedora Core 7 will be
> muekow-based. I am
> > using K12LTSP6 and find it very similar to Core 5.
> > However, as long as you have the latest version of
> LTSP 4.2, there is
> > probably no need to upgrade to get sound working.
> I had Mplayer and
> > Flash (older version) working fine with K12LTSP5.
> Now I have Mplayer
> > and Flash 9 working well with sound. I have
> installed shockwave with
> > Crossover Linux. With other apps I had some
> trouble with client sound
> > in crossover (Powerpoint specifically), but I am
> sure others have had
> > more success than me.
> > I just tested Shockwave on the server. The sound
> works fine. I haven't
> > tested it on a client yet.
> >
> > > > Finally, pulseaudio, asla, esd, nasd,
> gstreamer etc have been
> > mentioned as
> > > > possible solutions to the 'sound issue', but
> currently it appears that
> > > > there isn't a firm solution.  I have been
> trying to get a solid
> > solution
> > > > for literally a few years now.  I have had
> sound working at varous
> > times,
> > > > but then it would lag so severely in videos as
> to be useless.
> > > > Powers-that-be want (demand) a solution by
> February 16th.  Since I
> > can't
> > > > work on the systems during the day, I have
> weekends and some
> > evenings.  I
> > > > am willing to try any suggestions this 
> weekend.  I am not a Linux
> > guru,
> > > > but am also not completely new to this.
> > > >
> > Pulse audio and better support for local apps are
> very promising for
> > improving sound performance but they are not
> easily set up in ltsp
> > yet.  Hopefully in April when Meukow K12LTSP comes
> out. Still esd
> > seems to work ok for now.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > K12OSN mailing list
> > K12OSN at redhat.com
> > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
> > For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> K12OSN mailing list
> K12OSN at redhat.com
> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
> For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>

____________________________________________________________________________________
Finding fabulous fares is fun.  
Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.
http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097