Hello, all. This page will contain my observations on class and student projects as well as regular updates on progress made regarding the establishment of an open source network planned for the former Anthropology Lab.

Week 1, Post 1- The failure of the Compaq desktop to run the Ubuntu live CD has led to a the consideration of a pair of distributions known as Slax and Damn Small Linux. The latter seems as if it will be the best fit for a "standard" operating system for our first generation of donated machines due to the lower system requirements. The literature seems to indicate that this version will run effectively on our antiquated hardware, but practical testing has yet to commence due to apparent scheduling conflicts between Trey and myself. Hopefully this will get sorted out in time to get a technology demonstrator up by this Wednesday, and a server with a couple of thin clients the week after. Once the backbone of the network architecture is in place, testing and implementation of Virtual Private Networking and TCP/IP functions should commence by the end of September. This schedule should be workable, provided at least one or two work sessions can be scheduled weekly.

Week 1, Class 1-The first class meeting was interesting, with a surprising amount of time dedicated to introductions and background discussion that seemed like more of a community building exercise than anything else. As the class composition showed a heavy bias towards educators it seems an inordinate amount of time will be dedicated to presenting technology and solutions in a format that is not only grokkable, but easily transferable and suited for implementation in our erstwhile teachers' classroom environs. This seems in line with stated course objectives and will likely prove an interesting challenge, as I am still struggling to wrap my head around some of the implementation aspects of this project. The task of imparting this data to others in a form where they can readily communicate it seems as if a very fast synthesis of data and effective reformatting will be required to pass these processes on in cogent form while I am still learning them myself.

  Who doesn't bring their monkey with them to the grocery store/???? I know i would if i had a monkey :)