This page, when finished, will contain a complete list of all the tools you could use to have a fully-functioning open source and/or free-software school that rivals, if not exceeds a commercially-based technical infrastructure. There are many different options available, and I will eventually — i.e. whenever I get around to it — write posts describing what the benefits and disadvantages are of each tool, and instructions on how to set them up. The practicality of some of these tools may depend on your school or school district’s infrastructure, policies, etc.
Things to Consider
- Budget
- State Requirements
- Available Tech Support
Server Setup
- Choosing a Linux distribution
- Deploying Thin Clients with Edubuntu Linux and LTSP
- Absolutely Need Windows Applications? Save Your Budget from Oblivion with Terminal Services
- Firewalling with Endian
- Web Filtering with DansGuardian and Squidguard
- Allow Employee Access from Home with OpenVPN
- Ghosting and Imaging Solutions
- Backup Solutions
Data Management
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Data warehousing with openIntel
Network and Classroom Monitoring
- Zenoss, OpenPanel, WebMin and VirtualMin
- Nagios
- Monitoring Computer Activity with iTALC or FL_TeacherTool
Phone System
- Your Own Free PBX with Asterisk or FreeSwitch
User and Group Management
- Creating a Working User Management System with OpenLDAP
- Browsing the Directory Tree with Directory Administrator and GOsa
- Choosing an Email Server (Zimbra, Google Apps Education Edition, MS Live@Edu)
- Thunderbird, Lightning, and Sunbird
- Spam Filters
- Email Archiving with MailArchiva
Student Information Systems
Employee and Office Applications
- Word Processing with OpenOffice.org
- Create Collaborative Workspaces with O3Spaces, a SharePoint Alternative
- Why Bother with Installed Software? Use Google Apps for Education
- Managing the Books with GNUCash or kMyMoney
- Need Something Scanned? Use Kooka
- Photo Editing with The GIMP or GimpShop
- Managing Your School Library with KOHA or Emilda
- Adding a Point-of-Sale Cafeteria with PSCafePOS
- Manage Your Inventory with SpiceWorks
- TimeTrex as a Payroll Solution
- Kuali
- Gradebook Software, or How to Create Your Own Gradebook Application in a Few Easy Steps
- Instant Message Other Employees with OpenFire and Spark
Student Applications
- Getting the Most Out of Edubuntu
- Personal Portfolios with Mahara
- Word Processing with OpenOffice.org or StarOffice 4 Kids
Web Sites and Social Networking Tools
- Setting up Your School’s Web Site with a CMS (Joomla, Drupal, CMS Made Simple, etc.)
- Installing an Employee Portal and Leave Reporter with Orange HRM
- How to Choose the Right CRM
- Selecting a Ticket Tracker
- Live Help Desk Support with Help Center Live
- Bug Reporting
- Paying School Fees Online - Integrate Paypal with your systems.
- Take Your Courses Online with a Learning Management System (Moodle, Dokeos, etc.)
- WordPress MU or MovableType for Staff Blogs
