Ubuntu or Edubuntu

[whitshade]

Good morning, gang. I am an educator and an experienced Linux user. I've been using Ubuntu for about a year. I've seen Edubuntu listed in the Synaptic Package Manager. Are there any real advantages to installing Edubuntu directly as opposed to installing it on a system already running Ubuntu? Thanks.

[nothingspecial]

It is just ubuntu with a few educational packages installed and a few cosmetic tweaks. You can install all of them through the ubuntu repositories yourself. There is no point if it is just for yourself.

I think it is aimed at schools who install it on multiple computers and then don`t want to install all the extra software themselves

[ewenss]

I'm not sure your needs, but have a look at uberstudent.org for a much different take on a Linux educational distro.

[cong06]

Are there any real advantages to installing Edubuntu directly as opposed to installing it on a system already running Ubuntu?

Your question is:
"is there any point in formatting my whole computer and restarting with just edubuntu vs downloading and isntalling the edubuntu-desktop package on top of the ubuntu-desktop package"

There is not. You can easily have both running.
As I've used edubuntu a bit, maybe I can attempt to explain the packages contained.
There is a "category" in the Ubuntu menu which you may have seen already: "Education"
Edubuntu would fill up this category with games relating to educational material, for example: Atomix, Blinken, Ktouch, TuxType, Marble, Khangman.

It also contains Pessulus which allows firmer control of the computer when others are using it.

The one thing you should note is 1) It'll require both gnome and kde software, which isn't a problem unless you're worried about kde/gnome integration; and 2) It'll take a bit more downloading and use up more disk space.
I would prersonally recommend installing both Ubuntu and Edubuntu as I think it's much more "usable" then just installing Edubuntu by itself, but I haven't tried yet myself.

note: I had all these links that I was going to post, but alas, they're not allowed. Ubuntuforums.org might be a better place to ask Ubuntu related questions. Plus they allow helpful hyperlinks.

[whitshade]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm actually in the planning stages of writing a book on opern source software for educators and was planning on focusing on Ubuntu Linux, but thought I should give Edubuntu a try. Cong06, I ended up doing just what you suggested on a laptop I keep here for just such an ocassion. It was already running Ubuntu, so I figured that Edubuntu would work fine. It didn't install KDE, though GDM lists it as a session choice. According to what you wrote, I guess I should install it, especially since some componoents are already installed. You also make a good point re: my choice in linux forums. ewenss, thanks for the tip on uberstudent.org. It's definitely worth checking out. My thanks again to you all.

[cong06]

It didn't install KDE, though GDM lists it as a session choice.

I meant that you'd install kde libraries. I think you're referring to kdm, the kde login manager.

On another note, Once you have your manual done, I'd be very interested myself. I'm currently working on finding ways to teach open source software in the place of proprietary software (ie: OpenOffice.org Writer instead of Microsoft Office Word).
What I'm after may be different however.
I've sent you a PM with my e-mail incase you're willing.

[whitshade]

Hey ewenss,

UberStudent.org is terrific. It's ideal for secondary/postsecondary students, which fills a bit of a void. There's so much out there for young children, and even older kids, but not much geared to the needs of older students. UberStudent.org may damn well get its own chapter. Thanks again.

[whitshade]

Thaanks for the clarification, cong06. My response to your request is forthcoming via email.