--- Forwarded Message from Scott Williams <[log in to unmask]> ---

>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 15:47:14 -0500
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum               <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Scott Williams <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6893 OSX for language labs?

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Beth et al.

We tried NetBoot for our lab full of new iMacs from one of our OSX 
servers, but the connection is still 10 base and it was all way too 
slow, so we stopped net booting.

I like OS 10.2 on my desktop, especially now that OSX native apps are 
more widely available.

As far as OSX server, well that is a different story:

The GUI just doesn't dove tail well enough with what is actually 
happening, or needs to happen, in the guts. All of us here who have 
done anything on the server, simple or sophisticated, have gotten 
frustrated with it.

Remember, these are essentially UNIX machines using Apache. As such 
our own web app utilizes MySQL/PHP, through which students also take 
online tests. My very excellent staff, who work on it far more than I 
do, circumvent the GUI every chance they get.

As it now stands, when the lease runs out next year, we'll still get 
Macs for the lab, but  we will seriously consider straight Unix boxes 
for the servers (even for the streaming server, QT streaming software 
is obtainable for free).

In any case, although I love Macs, ...

Of course, between now and then, a couple of generations will have past.

Have fun.


Scott
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Scott G. Williams, Ph.D.
Director
Language Acquisition Center
Dept. of Modern Languages
Univ. of Texas at Arlington
Box 19557
Arlington, Texas 76019-0557

Tel: Office (817) 272-5650 / LAC (817) 272-5148
Fax: (817) 272-5408

email: [log in to unmask]

LAC: (http://langlab.uta.edu/LAC/welcome.htm)
Modern Languages:( http://langlab.uta.edu)
My page: (http://langlab.uta.edu/scottweb/webpage.html)
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