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

Sat Jan 20 14:09:00 UTC 2007

I am lucky enough to have an actual server available for 'testing' before I
have to upgrade the primary systems so I haven't really investigated using
VMware.  Now that I know it can be done, I will definitely consider it.
Time, have to find more time.  My only issue at present is the lack of i20
support in the latest anaconda installer.  I will probably be purchasing a
different RAID controller shortly, just hate 'wasting' those 2010s I already
have.

Dave ...

On 1/19/07, Rob Owens <hick518 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> 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>
> > >
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