1. Research accomplished before the November trip to East St. Louis when we provided 5 different Linux distributions and style options for users to test.
   1. Linux Terminal Server:  Hardware requirements, distribution options, and technical issues with LTS software were addressed.  We looked for a distribution that had longevity and sustainability and could continue to be maintained and updated.
   2. Window managers and themes:  What should Linux look like for them?  We worked on finding easily accessible and intuitive visual interfaces for the user population.  The window manager needed be lightweight to account for hardware constraints. We looked into custom icons, shortcuts, and themes that facilitated ease of use.
   3. Multimedia possibilities:  We looked into distributions, drivers, and software to support a video camera.  We considered going with a distribution like Mint that would be pre-packaged with multimedia capabilities as opposed to a distribution like Edubuntu which would not.
   4. Applications to install. We looked into what sorts of software would be engaging and useful to the congregation.
   5. Security:  Would we need to use something like OpenDNS for our site?  If so, what sites should be blocked?  How much access would our users need to multimedia sharing sites (YouTube) or social networking (MySpace, Facebook)?  Does OpenDNS deem inappropriate any sites, particularly religious sites, that church members may want access to?
2. User testing:
   1. Set up and demonstrated distributions at Morningstar on Friday, Nov. 14.
   2. Tested with church members on Saturday, Nov. 15.  During user testing we tested 5 different distributions and window manager combinations:  Mint 5 Gnome, Mint 5 XFCE, Mint 5 Fluxbox, UbuntuLite LXDE, and gOS.  These combinations were assessed for intuitiveness, ease of use, and stability during testing.  More information on user testing can be foundhere. Ultimately, we discarded gOS because of stability concerns and Fluxbox because it was not behaving well with older monitors.
   3. During testing, we also determined that our hardware was not adequate to meet the demands of an LTS and modified our network scheme accordingly.  We attempted to maintain the elements of the LTS that seemed to be most attractive to Pastor Kaitroy (ease of maintenance, internet access to all computers, and potential for learning opportunities).  Over the next couple of weeks, Adam put together a distribution which included Child’s Play, GnomeSword, Firefox, and OpenDNS, while addressing usabilty issues.  This distribution was then installed on eight standalone clients, to which we added OpenOffice Suite, KDE-Edu, Pingus, Wbar, and other software for a print server, web development and hosting, and media editing.  Members of the team also created training materials for installation of programs through both the GUI and CLI, internet security information, linux equivalents to windows programs, accessibility training, and information on setting up a network.
3. Final Installation:
   1. On our third trip to East St. Louis, we installed eight computers running the custom Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church distribution based on Ubuntu 8.04.
   2. We provided training for Pastor Kaitroy as the future administrator of the lab.  The agenda for this training can be found here.

Calendar of Dates and Benchmarks

Thursday, 10/30:

• Work on server
• Update wiki

Friday, 10/31:

• Have we heard back from Pastor Kaitroy? Do we need to call him and set up a time to talk about what he envisions for the lab?
• Re-inventory clients (ram and hard drives were swapped; we need to know that is in each machine)
  • We need a better naming convention
  • Make sure to enter NIC info in the inventory
• Software Inventory:  Which clients are running what.
• How many/Which distributions do we want to present to the test group at Morningstar?

Thursday, 11/6:

• Testing 5 machines
  • Install Mint Gnome on Client #1
• Set up other 4 machines and configure (Server and Clients #2, 3, and 5)
  • Install parental protection software
  • essential applications
  • themes
• GOAL: be ready for East St. Louis
• Research/discuss security options
• Look into other applications to install
  • Ideas for things that MBC might find useful?
  • What are their needs?
  • Response from Pastor Kaitroy: educational, web browsers, word processing, multimedia (video editing, sound recording, etc), as well as educational gaming programs.

Friday, 11/7:

• CLIENTS READY TO TEST (finish gOS install on Client #2, install OpenDNS on Client #1)
• Call Pastor Kaitroy to ask about networking situation at the site (do we need to bring cables, ISP, room set up/dimensions)
• Hardware (Client #4)
• talk to Martin about working with him on the network
• Check list of things to bring to East St. Louis.
• Survey for user testing at MBC
• Group member testing of distros

Thursday, 11/13:

• Final prep for trip.
• Aggregate all materials needed for the trip (computers, peripherals, etc.)
• Install educational/bible software on the Server
• Install Wbar on Server and 5
• Change wallpapers
• User accounts
• Screenshots of machines

Friday and Saturday, 11/14-15:

• Trip to East St. Louis; Machines imaged and ready to test at Morningstar.

Saturday 11/15

• Set up computers without internet at church
• Users at church tested computers, results are posted
• Interesting situation involving power cords in computer lab- only one outlet

Week of 11/24:

• Build custom distribution
• Set up FreeNAS server
• Test network possibilities

Monday 12/1:

• Image all machines; fix any hardware issues
• Updates

Tuesday 12/2:

• Install OpenOffice, KDE-Edu, Pingus, Wbar
• Test OpenDNS

Thursday, 12/4

• Created User Accounts; application of Wbar to public and gslisadmin admin accounts
• Training and reference materials put on desktops

Friday and Saturday, 12/5-12/6
Bring final installation, set up on-site, training