Cloud puppy, advise asked...

[wizard]

@Volhout

Do you have a USB to sdcard adapter? That is what I used that worked.

Go back to the instructions, you use the Unetbootin USB to make a second USB using instructions on p9 post 6.

The menu.lst and save folder need to be copied from your sdcard master to the new 2nd USB

You boot from the new 2nd USB to create the sdcard using instructions above, but may have to have a USB to sdcard adapter.

Here's an alternate method, maybe some clicks missing since I was in a hurry.

Rescueszilla method
You will need:
-rescuezilla USB
-USB to store the image
-sdcard configured as your Cloudpup master

-download rescuezilla ISO and create USB https://rescuezilla.com/download
-insert all 3 devices above
-boot rescuezilla
-click Backup
-choose sdcard
-store image on 2nd USB
When complete remove master sd
-insert new sd
-click Restore
-select image location
-select image
-click Next
-select the target
-click next
When the restore is complete you may have to resize the sd using gparted (included on rescuezilla)

wizard

[Volhout]

@wizard,

I think I have found a solution.

I ddéd the SD card to a file on disk (dd if=/dev/mmcblk0 of=file.img bs=1M)

Use gparted to EXT3 the SD card
dd the image (2Gbyte) to it (dd of=/dev/mmcblk0 if=file.img bs=1M)
Use Gparted to expand the EXT3 to fulls SD card size

This worked for me.

Puppy wanted to resize the SD card partition and failed, but Gparted can do it.

Regards,

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

How long did your restore with dd take?

Thanks
wizard

[Volhout]

@wizard

The session takes around 10 minutes per SD card.
Here is the result from the first hour..

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

Stunning, you're almost there. Would like copies of the wallpaper you added to add to the master.

Thanks
wizard

[Volhout]

Hi Wizard,

I hope you can download the wallpaper from this link:

Regards,

Volhout

P.S. I took the puppy logo, turned it into a 2 color BMP. Then placed it onto the original wallpaper in MS PAINT

[proebler]

@ Volhout & wizard
please check your PMs
regards proebler

[wizard]

RC5 is up

[Volhout]

@wizard,

The laptops are in use with RC4, in class under supervision of the teacher (so they have not yet been handed out to the parents).
This is mainly because the feared "closure of schools" forcing to remote teaching was not commanded from the government.
So far no show stoppers.

In parallel I am testing with RC5. I like Nitrogen. It is simpler than Nathans.
This weekend (when all testing goes well) I plan to swap SD cards on the laptops to replace the RC4 with RC5.

Just to inform you of the configuration that I am working on with RC5 (customizations), I'll list them here:

1/ copy wallpaper setter, exit and browse buttons from /root/.jwm-tray2 to /root/.jwm-tray, remove all buttons from /root/.jwm_tray2
2/ in jwmdesk manager : place tray2 at bottom right (it will vanish), place tray1 at bottom left, disable hide, size 44, clock 24h, font 18, speaker color pink
3/ edit /mnt/home/menu.lst timeout=1, comment all except option 0
4/ move conkystart from /root/Startup to /root/Startup/disabled
5/ puppy event manager: untick save question
6/ puppy setup->sound->wizard->select PCH sound channel (not HDMI)

These are mainly cosmetic changes.
Conky is only removed after all testing, and I am sure there is not memory leak to the save folder.
The connect button is removed from the tray since the status icon will also open frisbee (in line with what W10 and Ubuntu do).

The only thing I have not yet been able to fix cosmetically is the desktop in the tray. It is a light grey rectangle that shows miniature of the actual desktop windows. But it is very prominent in current color scheme, and distracts from the 3 remaining icons. Since you only have one desktop, this does not add anything to the experience. Under investigation.

I hope you value this update. Your effort is really well spend, and the time invested in making it robust will show it's value once these laptops leave school and are under investigation of the kids (the monkeys....hihi).

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

place tray2 at bottom right (it will vanish)

Why not just disable tray2, JWM Desk Manager>Options>Accessory Tray>uncheck Launch Bar

wizard

[Volhout]

Hi wizard,

Thanks, I did no know this.
Never to old to learn......

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

not yet been able to fix cosmetically is the desktop in the tray.

-Open /root/.jwmrc-tray in geany
-edit <Pager/> to <!Pager/>
-restart

wizard

[Volhout]

@wizard

I have something strange.

On ONE laptop (all have the same image on SD card), retrovol does not show up on the status in the tray (the speaker icon missing).
They are all identical laptops.

I checked in /root/Startup/autostart, and there is the retrovol.desktop . When I click on it, retrovol opens, and in the taskbar the speaker icon appears. But as soon as I close the root terminal, retrovol is killed again, and the speaker icon disappears.
Somehow, on this particular laptop, retrovol closes (or is not started at all) while on others it works flawless.

Any idea ?

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

Sometimes they use a different sound chip even in the same model number.

Try going into Setup>Alsa sound Wizard to test and setup the sound. Once that's done it may show up.

wizard

[Volhout]

@wizard
That did it. Even after reboot it worked.
Added your fix for the pager, and have imaged the first 6 sd cards. Then it was time to bed.

Thanks, I am really pleased how they work now.
You should bee proud.

Volhout

[Volhout]

@wizard

Just a quick update:
Yesterday afternoon replaced all images by RC5.
General remark from the teachers: this is so much simpler than what we where used to (other school tablets and laptops, we like it.

Observations during install RC5's
- 3 laptops would not connect, but after reboot they where connected (*)
- It seems the retrovol icon disappears when WIFI connects first time. But after reboot the volume icon is back.

(*) Question: Puppy Quick Setup creates a computer name. After quick setup I copy SD card images. This means all laptops have the same computer name.
Could this be causing problems when 12 laptops with the same computer name try to connect to one access point ? I assume access point fill the DHCP table based on MAC address, not on computer name, right?

By the end of the week we will have more field feedback.
I am glad we can do this first phase in the school. Where I can still get access to the laptops to change something when required.

Regards,

Volhout

[Volhout]

We are live ....

[wizard]

@Volhout

wizard's rule #3 "rebooting is magic"

I assume access point fill the DHCP table based on MAC address, not on computer name, right?

Yes

all laptops have the same computer name.

You can't do it on a domain. Since you are using a workgroup it should work OK, but you can easily change the name using the internet connection wizard, right click the connection icon in the right side of the jwm tray.

You and your wife have done a good and unselfish thing to help these children. Kindness starts with us. For me, I'm happy I could help.

Thank you for taking time to send the pictures, it means a lot.

wizard

[rockedge]

@Volhout and @wizard

This is a wonderful and important project and looks like it's going to work well! Outstanding effort with great results.
Please keep us informed how the project evolves.

It would be good practice to give each machine a unique machine / host name, to avoid conflicts in the future if the machines end up connected to the same local area network.

[Clarity]

This is an excellent project to present a useful tool to classroom of kids. I applaud how you and your wife were able to get this benefit presented and started at the school.

I especially applaud the work effort that @wizard and yourself to tailor the FossaPUP64 remaster on those machines for easy access to internet. An excellent effort. (Too bad we dont have a magazine or TV program to interview you guys and your wife's classroom.)

As @Wizard and @Rockedge has already mentioned, I must offer similar: Each PC on your local wireless network should/must has a unique ID. Maybe name each PC by kid or by table-chair or by ??? that will identify each, separately. It should avoid some unsuspecting problems.

EXCELLENT!

[Volhout]

@Volhout

but you can easily change the name using the internet connection wizard, right click the connection icon in the right side of the jwm tray.

wizard

I know how to do it from Quick Setup (through appfinder), but this method I have not been able to perform. Right clicking the icon gives 2 options and quit:
1- Setup: you get Frisbee (youc an change access point, but not the computer name...?
2- Status: you get the network status

Where can you change the computer name ?

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

My mistake, that is only available if you are on sns

wizard

[rockedge]

@Volhout To change the computer name try this in a terminal:

Code: Select all

echo <new_hostname> /etc/hostname

[wizard]

@Volhout

I used @rockedge code and wrote a script so you can change the computer name. Add the script to /root/my-applications/bin and then assign it a jwm hotkey. In use, you install the sdcard in the computer, boot, press the hotkeys and type in a new name. Will include this in next release.

wizard

comp_name.sh.gz

remove the .gz

(367 Bytes) Downloaded 78 times

[Volhout]

Thank you for your suggestions. That is a nice feature for the new release.

I understand the need to adapt the host name, so I will do that before these machines leave the classroom.

I will stay on RC5 for the moment. It is faster to open quick setup menu and change the name, then to implement the script on each machine, for me at least.

I think after few weeks of use, there may come more field feedback, and that is the time to look at sd card updates.

Appreciate all your commitment to this project.

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

Just keep a list of changes you'd like to make and I'll help you implement when you're ready.

wizard

[Clarity]

I wonder if this would be a help. "This is a mere idea!"

• The name-change script could test for name-change on input and if present skip the screen

• And the screen-portion could show the current hostname allowing user to see the current

This is NOT complete but as reference only (as I am being rushed out of the house)

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
# Script name is ''Chg-hostname.sh''
#change computer name
oldHOSTname=$(hostname)
newHOSTname=$1

Xdialog --title "Computer Name Changer" \
        --inputbox "Enter new name" 7 35 2> /tmp/inputbox.tmp.$$

retval=$?
input=`cat /tmp/inputbox.tmp.$$`
rm -f /tmp/inputbox.tmp.$$

case $retval in
  0)
    echo 'Current hostname ===> ' $(hostname);
    echo $input> /etc/hostname
    echo "Computer Name Changed to '$input'";;
  1)
    echo "Cancel pressed by user.";;
  255)
    echo "Box closed.";;
esac

Edit: corrected hostname

[wizard]

@Clarity

It could be set up to work that way, good thought. In this case, since it is a once and done operation, the only thing saved would be pressing the hotkeys one time. Probably not worth the extra effort.

wizard

[Volhout]

Dear Wizard (and others),

I did not want to leave you in the dark too long. Cloudpup Fossa is used every week (although the original requirement - remote teaching - has been revoked from the Dutch government) in the classroom. Kids like the laptops very much, and teachers indicate "this is so much simpler than the school provided systems (windows based)" that I see a new project on the horizon .
Up to now I have had only 1 "repair", and that was caused by an empty CMOS battery, where the bios reverted to defaults (security on, legacy boot off). Note these where 7 year old laptops provided by my employer as these where phased out for business application.

I think you can classify puppy as being a solid performer. Thank you all (again) for such a good product.

Volhout

[wizard]

@Volhout

Good to hear it is going well, thanks for the update. I will probably be doing one more release with the last of the security patches and a couple of hotkey assist.

Thanks
Wizard