Next Meeting: TBD in #ubuntu-ngo on irc.freenode.net |
IN PROGRESS
Introduction
Out transition to FLOSS is under-way.
Started Projects
- CiviCRM - Moving to from proprietary contact system (hosted externally)
- dotProject - Moving to from Excel spreadsheets (hosted externally)
Ubuntu
Currently rolling out to pilot/new users (we are expanding right now).
How we deployed/customized
Each time we want to make a new LiveCD version, using Ubuntu Customization Kit (UCK)
- Run UCK and do simple language removal, tell it to prompt for manual customizations
- Copy over customize script and MIA-custom.deb
- Run customize script (which customize just the installed software and install MIA-custom.deb)
- MIA-custom.deb - Adds our customization, including specific fonts, customized gconf values, proxy values, Desktop icons, openoffice templates, smb.conf, etc. Installed manually in Ubuntu Customization Kit
More when I blog about MIA-custom.deb.
Issues / Bugs
- Virtual desktops cause users to "lose" applications
- Desktop becomes cluttered with network drives (can turn off in gconf)
- Need more space in Fast User Switcher Applet, users can easily try to click the applet instead of an X to close a program and then they will likely end up switching users
Thunderbird drag and drop fails https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/thunderbird/+bug/151162
OpenOffice.org
We have deployed OpenOffice in parallel with MSO. Blogged (http://gquigs.blogspot.com/2009/06/going-to-openoffice-step-1-unfreezing.html)
How We Deployed (on Windows)
Used an extension to preload templates, had to manually set them to be the default though. Deployed 3.1.0.
Bugs holding us back
http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=75498 Spellcheck issues (to be investigated more) - on both Ubuntu and Windows, but might be different underlying cause
Suggestions (for OpenOffice)
- Preload landscape as a page style (workaround for windows, put it in your template)
- Let the mail merge use the default mail client (not do it directly)
Next Steps
- Survey partners on their office suites/ODF support possibilities. (IN PROGRESS)
- Update Templates
Future Projects
- Claims Management System for health insurance
- GIS system
- "Virtual Library"
General Case Study Guidelines
Summary (100 words approx.) Challenge or situation
Solution (250 words approx.) Benefits – with subheadings
Interview Questions
- What is the mission of your organisation?
Training community-based micro health insurance schemes in insurance domain knowledge.
- Can you give us a few examples of what you have done? Maybe you have some pictures you can share?
Other Software
- Did you also use other linux distros?
- Did you also use proprietary software?
- In this case, what feature do you think is missing in Ubuntu that forced you to choose proprietary software?
Suggestions
- What do you suggest should be done in Ubuntu to better match your needs?
- What would you like to see improved in Ubuntu resources like documentation?
Experiences
- What is the biggest difficulty you encountered with Ubuntu?
- and what do you think is the best trick you learned along the way?
- What would you suggest to our readers that are interested in an initiative like yours?
- How can interested readers help your organisation?
Photos and stories
- Collect few photos of the initiative
- Ask if there's particular anecdotes, good or funny stories, best lessons that reporter would like to tell to the world.
Case Study Template
Name of reporter:
Name of NGO:
Location (city, country):
Web Links:
Other Software
Suggestions
Experiences
Photos and stories