Smart computing

What if I told you that you could take an old Microsoft Xbox 360 game console from 2002 and turn it into a great computer? These units can probably be found at a yardsale for $50 and without opening the case, you can turn it into a perfectly good computer for your children to learn and navigate the Internet with ease.

The trick to making this work is to install a smart operating system called Edubuntu onto the machine. With a simple setup of Edubuntu installed on the parent's computer to manage the things that the kids learn and do, the promise of network computing for families and entire school systems is brought to life. The best thing of all is that Edubuntu is completely free. Free to copy. Free to share. Free to modify, customize, extend and do whatever you need it to do. It is open source. It is created for and created by people with the highest commitment and interest in education and welfare of our children's future.

Edubuntu comes with a wide variety of education programs for children. What's more is that it comes with a host of systems aimed directly at solving the management and administrative challenges of educators and school system administrators. From the superintendants office down to the technology director and classroom teachers, Edubuntu is a complete suite of operating system software, servers, application suites and individual programs to bring a bevy of easy-to-use solutions into today's learning environment.

Hardware

You could buy a barebones system, very inexpensively ($100 - $300 at the time of writing) but the fan is still a potential failure point that can be avoided by going with a true thin client. Also, as the name implies, the barebones system will normally need additional components to make a complete system. For example, you'll still need to at least buy a screen, keyboard and mouse.

Mainboards like the VIA EPIA 5000 Mini-ITX Mainboard are ideal for building fanless multimedia solutions. The company website offers details on the board and applications

The LTSP.org website offers a lot of information in it's wiki including information on the many options for Client machines. However, you should be aware that since LTSP is now integrated with Edubuntu, it is no longer something that you have to build and add-on to your environment. You can simply use Edubuntu for both servers and clients.

Where to buy

Companies like Thin Client Central offer thin client systems from manufacturers like Hewlett Packard (e.g. HP t5500)

MiniITX.com is a UK site that sells fanless Thin Clients and cases like the line from Travla such as the Travla C134. http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=27

For the home enthusiast who wants to build a nice combination educational / media center system, it's hard to beat the nice looks of the Apevia X-Qpack Blue Micro ATX Tower with Clear Sides, Front USB, FireWire & Audio Ports and 420-Watt Power Supply for just $90

If style is more important than price, check out the design of the SilverStone LC05 Mini-ITX Case

Diskless Workstations.com offers LTSP certified equipment in a convenient package from around $300.

Do It Yourself

Although dated 2005, here is an article on how one person built their own LTSP system]

More Info

1. Edubuntu Info and Tour
2. Version info (the older the better).
3. Thin Client Server Setup