Knoppix is a distribution of the popular open source operating system Linux which runs on a CD or DVD without using the hard drive of the computer on which it is running. These features make it very safe and handy for schools in need of very stable systems.

“The high the demand for the DVD reflects the need of science teachers for free educational resources,” said Karl Sarnow, pedagogical advisor for the Xplora portal. In the first two weeks after announcing the release of the DVD, more than 400 copies of Xplora's Knoppix DVD for science education have been requested. Xplora is producing an initial 600 DVDs, which will be distributed freely to schools.

This Knoppix version is especially mastered for Xplora and contains software applications focused on science education, as well as a number of educational materials from the Xplora repository. As it is open source software it can be given away freely and be copied as well. The Xplora – Knoppix release has a multilingual support – English, French, and German.

It includes software useful of in science education, from Kindergarten (gcompris: Educational games) to university level (ghemical: Quantum mechanical calculations of molecular orbitals).

Due to the Open Source nature of the DVD, people are invited to copy the DVD and give it away to everybody interested in science education (teachers, students, parents...).

Interested participants may also publish the DVD for download on one of their servers. More information about the DVD can be found on the Xplora portal.

For more information: info-xplora@xplora.org
http://www.xplora.org/ww/en
/pub/xplora/news/latestnews/xplora___dvd_knoppix__make_sci.htm