View source for Computer Lab Manual

= Westminster Computer Lab Manual =

== Purpose ==

''It is this author's belief in the importance of not only providing documentation for all aspects for Westminster United Church, but to have this documentation on-line, and be accessible and easily modifiable by its users...''

This WIKI serves as an on-line resource to help the IT (Information Technology) administrator perform routine and non-routine tasks as they pertain to the operation of Westminster's Computer Lab.
To invent "Re-inventing the Wheel", certain content has been linked to existing WIKIs.

I hope you find this WIKI useful, and if not, then ''"start contributing to make it better..."''

'''>;)'''

Murray Saul


== Contact Information ==

'''<u>ATTENTION</u>:'''

All Computer lab requests MUST be sent to the AVIT facilitator. The facilitator will then contact the lab administrators for follow-up or action. It is important to follow this method to prevent confusion, double-booking, and also provide a physical document trail to help in the church's information analysis.

'''Current AVIT Facilitator:''' <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">Earl Williams</span><br />
'''Current Lab Administrator:''' <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">Murray Saul (AVIT department)</span><br />
'''Backup Lab Administrators:''' <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">N/A</span><br />


== Topics / Chapters ==

=== Purpose of Westminster Computer Lab ===

The purpose is to create and maintain (at minimal cost) a computer lab that will provide computer support for several groups including CE Youth & instructors, church staff, congregation members, special interest groups, and members of the Orangeville community.

For a more detailed explanation/purpose of the Westminster computer Lab, refer to this WIKI: [ [[Westminster Computer Lab WIKI]] ]

Here is a news-feed (May 2006) with explaining purpose of Westminster Computer Lab: [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/ html] ]


=== Technical Overview of Computer Lab ===

The Westminster computer lab is a "thin client" lab where each workstation is "diskless" (i.e. no hard disk drive). These "thin clients" are connected to a central server to simplify computer maintenance (like installing software). Applications on the "thin clients" can be run via the main server, or run from the "thin client" itself in RAM. This Computer lab uses the Linux Operating System (an educational version of Ubuntu called "Edubuntu").  The application in '''Linux''' to run a diskless workstation lab is called '''LTSP''' (Linux Terminal Server Project).

* Where Computer Lab "fits into" AVIT structure (Getting the big picture): [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/avit.png png] ]
* Computer Lab Layout: [  ]
* Computer Lab Policies: [  ]
* Computer Lab User Manual for Instructors: [  ]
* Reporting Computer Lab Problems (AVIT form): [  ]
* Edubuntu webpage: [ [http://edubuntu.org/ http://edubuntu.org/] ]
* LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project): [ [http://ltsp.org/ http://ltsp.org/] ]


=== Computer Lab Setup ===

* Hardware
* Operating System


=== Installing Applications ===

==== Mechanism for Requesting Applications ====

Unless testing applications for future development, the computer lab administrator will assume that the users (either the action group facilitators, or clients) will make a request based on their needs. The computer lab administrator should research (eg. via Internet or discuss with colleagues or other system administration experts) on a list of applicable applications suitable for installation.

Remember that in IT, "Information" comes before "Technology" (and not the other way!). In other words, it is the user's needs and the applicable software that drives the technological requirements...

Here is a basic guideline that users may find useful in helping to determine their software needs: [ [[Requesting Application Software]] ]

==== Installation Basics ====

* Purpose of Repositories
* Installing (Preferred Methods ranked in order of appearance):
:* Using ''Synaptic Package Manager'' or ''Ubuntu Software Center''
:* ''yum'' &amp; ''rpms''
:* ''Zipped Tarballs''

==== Setting up Applications to Run in Client's Cache Memory ====


=== Creating / Administering User Accounts ===

==== Adding User Accounts ====

==== Customizing User Accounts ====

==== Using Skeleton Files (to save time customizing accounts) ====

==== Suspending User Accounts ====

==== Removing User Accounts ====



== Automating Routine Tasks with Shell Scripts ==



== Common Troubleshooting ==



== Additional Resources ==