[no subject]

The real question related to clients is skill-set related. I haven't
established this yet, but if one purpose of the computer center is to allow
for job-skill training, then MS clients is a no-brainer. While Linux is
certainly gaining ground, I'm sure no one on this list will argue that a
secretary-to-be would be better served learning MS Office than Star Office
these days.

That said, I've never used any Linux office suite, so I really have no idea
how similar they are to the MS environment. Also, I don't know how an MS
Office-trained resident would fare trying to navigate around Star Office or
Applixware.

---Questions---
1. How hard is it to really bulletproof a Linux multi-user environment,
complete with Netscape and an office suite, such that individual users with
rudimentary skills could do nothing harmful to a machine beyond what a quick
user-wipe and re-create could correct (i.e. re-build user pref and config
files)? The environment in question is one with very transitory, temporary
users (3-months max).

2. Assuming a fairly unsophisticated user group with little to no
background, how simple is Star Office or Applixware to use relative to MS
Office (I'm assuming donated licenses here - the Shelter has no money to
spare on software). If one knows MS Office, which (if any) Linux office
suite would be better suited to their skills?

3. Assuming very weak machines (386 w/8 or 16Meg RAM typical), can I get
usable performance from Netscape or Star Office, especially if I use the
most resource-light window manager available (and what would that be)? How
would this performance be relative to a Win9x machine w/IE, Netscape, or MS
Office?

4. Is anyone on this list willing to talk more about donating:
    A. Virtual expertise, perhaps through e-mails or a dedicated mailing
list I set up for this effort
    B. Physical expertise, if you're in the DC area and want to help out
around mid-June setting up and configuring on-site
    C. Hardware or software? Machines, network equipment, cables, floppy
disks... you name it, we need it. (well, I can probably pull together the
floppy disks... :)

As far as expertise, I could use the advice of a serious sysadmin in this
effort. Again, while I'm fairly conversant in Linux, and given time and
effort (and a few questions to this list) I'm sure I can get the environment
up and running, it would be nice to have a more dedicated Linux guru around
to make sure I don't screw something up. Even you Redhat Software folks
aren't too far away to drive up for a weekend! :)

As always, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Eric