Linux in libraries and schools

In this case, it’s Ubuntu Linux, the Kubuntu flavor because of better control, as they say.

Sounds like Ubuntu Linux is one of the more common distros installed, from the looks of it. The article talked about the students’ use of the kiosk which runs Kubuntu. Also mentioned were the good points of using Linux in Westall Secondary School in Melbourne.

For the uses, the following were listed:

• Searching
• Book reservation
• Access the college intranet

Other things that were mentioned to be good effects of the change:

• The response time of the machines became faster compared with Windows.
• Students are not hacking the kiosks in order to play games.

For the library they are evaluating the integrated library system Koha.

Universities with little budget could use such stories as inspiration in order to make their computing experience better wherever they are. If you’re a teacher or a librarian who has to deal with budget, you could take a look at Kubuntu and Koha in the same way that they have used it in their school.