So a little background – I’m in my 2nd year at University, studying Computer Science/Software Engineering. This year we have a “Systems Programming” module, which is basically learning low level things (inodes/filesystems etc). The computer labs for the module are Ubuntu labs with full root access, as requested by the lecturer. Needless to say these are separate from the rest of the network!! 
So I was talking to my lecturer about Ubuntu in general (he’s a fellow user) and I found out that hopefully, by the start of the next academic year at the University (Sept/Oct 09) the entire University should be in a dual boot situation with Windows, and all linked up to the network. However I’m expecting this to apply to only the Windows labs, and not the Mac labs
Either way I thought it was great that they’ll be putting Linux on the desktops. I know that they run Linux servers, as I’m often connected to it via screen & ssh (coincidentally a fantastic combination), however to run it on the desktop is a big push forward. I have seen quite a few students running Linux this year though. For example the other day I saw somebody running Ubuntu on his eee, but I didn’t stop to ask more
I’ll post back when if I find out any more, or when I finally get to play with an one of the proper Ubuntu installs.
#1 by Scott Wegner on December 7th, 2008
Out of curiosity, where do you go to school? Here at the University of Illinois, the computer labs are a mix of about 10% Windows Vista, 10% Mac OS, and 80% Red Hat Linux. It’s good to hear that other universities are using Linux as well (and even Ubuntu!). It’s surprising, though, that they chose a dual-boot configuration. The Linux systems here are dedicated and never really reboot, as users are constantly connected remotely via SSH. A dual-boot would surely foul things up.
#2 by Zac on December 7th, 2008
That’s fantastic! Word is getting around. Ubuntu, good choice too.
#3 by Sirrus on December 7th, 2008
It would be much better to have a fraction (say one half) of the machines run solo Linux, rather than let them all dual-boot. This way, you’re basically giving students the opportunity to restart the computer, a privilege that should be reserved to the maintenance staff only for security purposes.
At our uni, we have solo Linux and solo Windows labs, and a central computer hall where Macs, Windows PCs and Linux PCs coexist together, and the students are forbidden from restarting or shutting down the PCs by themselves. The currently sorry state of Linux installations aside, I believe this is for the best.
#4 by Andrew "Ampers" Taylor on December 7th, 2008
It would help to know the University please?
Ampers.
#5 by Joeb454 on December 7th, 2008
I would prefer a single boot Linux lab as well, however I can’t argue with the fact that this is still a step towards that becoming a reality.
I know that they intend to dual boot the systems properly (i.e. not Wubi installs), though I don’t know how this will be implemented. If done correctly I don’t see any reason why it should foul things up
@Ampers – The university is De Montfort University
#6 by Meneer R on December 7th, 2008
Seriously? A computer informatics university _considering_ installing Linux on some desktops?
What sort of alternate world is this?
How badly is your university rated in the first place? Is it called product-placement-university?
I mean; just WOW.
#7 by Joeb454 on December 7th, 2008
I politely ask you to read that post again, and if you can tell me where I said _considering_ installing Linux, I’ll personally come and give you a cheque for my life savings.
My University is actually very Linux friendly from my experience. As I just mentioned I never said “considering” I know that they have a plan outlined for having it installed on all the computers by the next academic year
#8 by Ryan on December 7th, 2008
Well, nice to know that your university is finally going forth to the normal way of teaching CS. Almost every cs program I’ve seen keep something POSIXy around for teaching students. This usually takes 2 forms a window lab and a pile of servers running *nix, or a linux and/or os x lab. I am surprised your program didn’t already have something similar in place.
#9 by One Mr Shazdeh on December 7th, 2008
tanx
#10 by Joeb454 on December 7th, 2008
We actually do have OS X labs, and they’re always mentioning POSIX. I probably should’ve made that a little bit clearer, sorry! I believe at the moment there are 3 (or maybe 4) OS X labs
#11 by charlotte on December 16th, 2008
great blog it’s good to see someone using a blog for what it is actually meant for look forward to seeing further comments.