K12OS.org
K12Linux.org [ K12LTSP.org | Downloads | Installation | Configuring Server | Configuring Clients | FAQ's & More ] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE K12LTSP 2.0 (K12 Linux Terminal Server Project) released on February 10. Portland, Oregon - February 10, 2002 - K12LTSP is free software with the potential to save schools, public agencies and businesses millions of dollars. It provides powerful desktop applications published under the Open Source License that encourages modification and improvement of the program code. Open Source software is free in terms of price but also free in terms of development. K12LTSP is based on Red Hat(tm) Linux ( www.redhat.com ) and the Linux Terminal Server Project ( www.ltsp.org ) packages. Version 2.0 is an update from the first release in July of 2001. Since that time over 5000 schools, public agencies and businesses have installed the software. K12TLSP installs terminal software on a server that powers diskless workstations (thin-clients). Applications run on the server with only the display, keyboard and mouse running on the workstations. This allows the continued use of older computers while avoiding costly upgrades. New K12LTSP terminals cost less than $200 each. Even greater savings are realized as diskless workstations have no hard drives or software to maintain. While the cost of operation is lower, users enjoy a faster and more reliable software environment. A typical installation of a Windows(tm) OS based computer lab of 20 workstations may cost more than $20,000 while the same lab running K12LTSP would cost less than than $6,000. Reusing legacy hardware can reduce that cost to less than $2,000. K12LTSP provides a wide selection of applications most often needed by users. Web browsers, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and graphics applications are included and are free. Updates in the 2.0 release include automatic sound configuration on many computers. This enables the use of multimedia applications like Real Audio(tm). Linux has experienced rapid growth as a file and Internet server operating system. It's expansion to end user desktops is not surprising says co-developer Paul Nelson. "No one operating system is the right solution for all tasks but LInux thin-clients are now a superior choice for providing basic desktop applications reliably at very low cost." Managing K12LTSP 2.0 will be easier with the generous support of Red Hat Linux(tm) and the creation of a special K12LTSP channel of Red Hat Network to deliver software updates specifically designed for these systems. Red Hat Network ( rhn.redhat.com ) is an Internet service by which Red Hat delivers software updates and bug fixes. It's designed so administrators can manage all of their individual computers from anywhere. Included in the new version of K12LTSP is Rdesktop ( www.rdesktop.org ), a Microsoft Windows(tm) Terminal Services access client. Rdesktop lets users run Windows(tm) sessions and applications right on their Linux desktop. This should make deployment of Linux desktops much easier in schools and organizations that are still reliant on Windows(tm) applications. Other additions include:
K12LTSP was created as a volunteer project by two educators, Eric Harrison from the Multnomah County Education Service District and Paul Nelson from the Riverdale School District. It is completely free to download and use. Redistribution is encouraged. K12LTSP is part of the Linux in Schools Project ( www.k12linux.org ) and a member of SchoolForge.net (www.schoolforge.net ). We advocate the use of open source and free software, open texts and lessons, and open curricula for the advancement of education and the betterment of humankind. Web Links: www.k12ltsp.org << Main K12LTSP site with links to download software www.k12linux.org << Linux in Schools Project web site Contact Information:
Paul Nelson pnelson@riverdale.k12.or.us
Eric Harrison eharrison@mail.mesd.k12.or.us
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