Lord Linda of Why-NotNov 25, 2022
Rob Pomeroy

Could I tempt you to boost this post, or get involved in a project to customise Linux for users with special needs/learning difficulties? I have two such children. Adults now (18). I want to do something for my boys and for people like them. 🙂❤️

I've already done a bit, using Ansible, with AlmaLinux and Ubuntu: https://github.com/robpomeroy/BrightOS

Please spread the word - I'm sure someone out there would love to get involved!

#SpecialNeeds #Linux #Education #NonProfit

GitHub - robpomeroy/BrightOS: This open source repository contains an Ansible playbook for customising Linux to help users with a learning disability.

This open source repository contains an Ansible playbook for customising Linux to help users with a learning disability. - GitHub - robpomeroy/BrightOS: This open source repository contains an Ansi...

GitHub
Nov 25, 2022 at 5:20pmWeb
Show threadJayne 🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈Nov 25, 2022

@robpomeroy

What a wonderful project!

I'm unable to help, but I have boosted your toot 👍

Good luck ❤️

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@TCMuffin Thanks Jayne!
Show thread🦋 Ben West 🐒🌻Nov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy right on! This is great.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@BenWest I hope so Ben!
Show threadEsther Payne Nov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy you could also check out the accessibility tags as well.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022

@onepict True, though I'm mindful of my own limited experience - I don't really have a handle on how one would design an OS for the visually impaired, for example. I'm also conscious that this is a bit of a techie project! 😄

But the more, the merrier. 🙂

#AccessibleComputing ?

Show threadEsther Payne Nov 25, 2022

@robpomeroy there's also the #a11y tag, you can ask questions and there are accessibily folks on here who are nice.

Because often accessibility stuff we consider solely for the visually impaired help other folks as well.

There's a mixture of very technical people and non technical folks on here. They have a wide range of needs.

Show threadLibreFasoNov 26, 2022

@robpomeroy @onepict

I'd say mostly one shouldn't reinvent the wheel.
For blind people there's a lot of work already done (someone mentioned Accessible Coconut, there's also the #Debian Accessibility project, and I've been told that slackware is extremely accessible), for people with learning disabilities I'm less sure (and it would be a very nice project) but work has been done with distributions for children, so there may be useful things there.

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@LibreFaso @onepict That's it - I'm looking to take all the best relevant ideas and ultimately package them into something that can be used by teachers, parents and carers.
Show threadFluxxRoxxNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Boosted and will look into it myself. will also see if one of my boys (a 20 yr old aspiring software engineer who loves the idea of building an os) would be interested in contributing.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@FluxxRoxx Awesome, thank you.
Show threadTom Marsland  ​Nov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy I'd love to see what I could do to help. Is there anything specific you need?
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022

@Tmarsland Thanks Tom! Off the top of my head:

  • Ansible chops ideally targeting Linux desktops, to help take the project further
  • Artwork for the desktop and the project
  • Experience locking down Linux desktops consistently
Show threadTom Marsland  ​Nov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy Alright. I can't promise much free time but I'll look at the repo and see what I can do.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@Tmarsland Thanks Tom!
Show thread×ղìէҽNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy What exactly ARE some of these special needs when it comes to computing on Linux? It would be really helpful to know what capabilities common distros are lacking so that developers can take on gaps to fill.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@xnite My main concern is to make it simple for the user, without "getting into trouble" - of any sort. So lots of guardrails. And preconfigured, so the user's carers don't need to be Linux security experts.
Show threadMeredithNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy always! I want to get my daughter on GNU/Linux one day!!!
Show threadtecleandorNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Hi Rob!

For building custom ISOs I don't have reference of any "universal" builders, but by memory there are a couple things that maybe can align with your ideas.

For Ubuntu, customizing the preseed file (plus probably adding the needed packages to the iso):
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallCDCustomization

I don't have much experience with Alma Linux (or Red Hat/CentOS for that matter), but perhaps Red Hat's Image Builder can work with Alma images:
https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/8/html-single/composing_a_customized_rhel_system_image/index

I'm not in front of my computer now but maybe checking Alma and Ubuntu CI processes for creating their ISO images can give some light to the generation process.

Do you feel like these tools could help you?
InstallCDCustomization - Community Help Wiki

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@tecleandor Definitely - and the CI/CD/builder pipeline is a great shout! I see that as being a later (but vital) stage to this project. For now, Ansible gives me an excellent way of "rapidly" iterating over changes and almost "thinking out loud". Once the Ansible build is in a useful state, I'm definitely check out the OS build and package tools - thanks!
Show threadtecleandorNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy I'm kinda busy quite now but maybe I can take a look in a couple weeks. Theoretically shouldn't be hard for me, I'm a sysadmin!   
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@tecleandor Cool!
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 29, 2022
@tecleandor Converted to GitHub issue, with credit: https://github.com/robpomeroy/BrightOS/issues/7
ISO/installer release · Issue #7 · robpomeroy/BrightOS

A later aim of this project will be to create a distro that's straightforward to install (without relying on Ansible). Some thoughts from @[email protected] on Mastodon: For building custom...

GitHub
Show threadAndrew HodgsonNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Is there a doc anywhere on the Github page which explains what the customisations actually are? For example what apps are installed, any special additions etc. Couldn't find anything but may have missed it.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022

@andrew Hi Andrew. The documentation, such as it is, is under the docs/ folder. Probably the "Mission" doc is the most relevant. Also going though the roles folder will give you a good idea of what I've done so far, particularly if you're familiar with Ansible.

For sure have not thought of everything!

Show threadFar Left KyleNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy have you tried pop os? I'm a fan.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@LordAntifa This one https://pop.system76.com/ ? No I haven't. Does it have particular features you would say could be helpful?
Pop!_OS by System76

Imagine an OS for the software developer, maker and computer science professional who uses their computer as a tool to discover and create. Welcome to Pop!_OS.

Show threadLindsey the GenieNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy
Sounds like a really great project. Hope you get the support you need with it. 👍🏼😊
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@LindseytheGenie Thanks Lindsey. I'll keep plodding along, whatever! 😆
Show threadRab BoyceNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy I has been thinking of about looking into doing something for the visually impaired. I'll take a look at what you have been doing and see if I can offer some assistance at some point.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@Rab_Boyce Super, thanks Ravi.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@Rab_Boyce Apologies Rab - I didn't notice the strange autocorrect of your name!
Show threadAlexi CharlesNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Great initiative.
Show threadGuillaume-Jean HerbietNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Hi. Can I suggest you have a look at two French projects (online translation might help): DFLinux (successor of HandyLinux) and PrimTux (aiming at schools), you might find some inspiration as well as useful packages and configs there.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 25, 2022
@gjherbiet Many thanks Guillaume-Jean. I will add them to my list. 👍🏻
Show threadAstraldadNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy I love this!! Linux is sick a good learning platform in so many ways!
Show threadBekisooNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy @atr
Show threadbityzNov 25, 2022

@robpomeroy from the issues list in the github repo, it appears the goal is to lockdown the distro, include some default packages, and make them readily available and easy to start.

I did a similar thing for my elderly mother using android on a tablet. If a touch screen is an allowable interface for your case, would you like me to try to dig up the notes on what I did?

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@bityz By all means, thanks. I'm definitely open to ideas!
Show threadbityzNov 30, 2022
@robpomeroy in having problems finding my notes (I may have to dig through old backups) so I'll tell you what I remember. First I decided to get a tablet with a sim card so she wouldn't have to worry about wifi or connecting. I pay the data bill and there is little for her to worry about.
Show threadbityzNov 30, 2022

@robpomeroy

Second, I bought an induction charging stand that also holds the tablet upright so she can use it on the stand if she wishes. She has Parkinson's so I didn't want her to have to worry about plugging in a cord.

Show threadbityzNov 30, 2022

@robpomeroy
Finally, I followed a link something like https://hbcompass.medium.com/setting-up-a-tablet-for-a-low-tech-senior-c0b338bbbb44. I certainly installed teamviewer because she is remote and might need my help. I also installed a launcher to customize the desktop and control access to other apps. I looked into kiosk mode, but don't think it panned out.

I hope some of this might be useful for you. Good luck.

Setting up a tablet for a low tech senior - Heather Bryant - Medium

I wanted to share our setup and process in case it’s helpful to someone else. This is by no means the right or perfect way for this, it’s simply what we’re finding to work for us as we go along. The…

Medium
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 30, 2022
@bityz Thanks so much for taking the time to write that down. Some great ideas there!
Show threadRohana RezelNov 25, 2022
@robpomeroy Thank you for this!
Show threadsanaNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy I would love to be a part of this!
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@sana All are welcome!
Show threadZiagrrrlNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy #edutech #edutoot I don’t have much influence myself, but maybe some that I’m connected with do! Happy to boost!
Show threadZaytheLegendNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy I need to get invested in #Linux myself
Show threadJ. Lindley  Nov 26, 2022

@robpomeroy

As someone who is #NeuroDivergent and has trouble focusing, I cannot boost this enough. I thank you for your efforts.  

The world needs more people like you.

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@jlindley Thanks John!
Show threadDrawlightNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy happy to boost, but the only accessible distribution that I’m aware of is accessible coconut, and that is geared towards visual impairment
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@Drawlight Thanks - and yes. I looked at AC, which is great. It serves a different set of needs. 👍🏻
Show threadDasFaultierNov 26, 2022

@robpomeroy Hi, I would like to contribute some lines to your project. My initial ideas after a quick scan are:
- improved detection of VM technology using Ansible Facts
- refactoring of deprecated module names (using FQCNs instead) and deprecated with_X loops
- introducing Molecule-based test suite
- maybe setup of a more restrictive firewall setup (e.g. Default DENY all incoming, allow RFC1918 subnets)

Let me know if you're interested, I'm DasFaultier on GitHub.

Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@DasFaultier Yes, awesome - how would you like to approach that? Become a collaborator and issue a PR? Agree with all the above. Thanks - I love your ideas.
Show threadDasFaultierNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy I'm not a GitHub pro, but yeah, that sounds reasonable. 🙂 I'd probably create separate issues for these things, assign them to myself and send you separate PRs so it's not just one big mess.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@DasFaultier Perfect thanks! I'm not a GitHub pro either. 🙂 My main preference (as much as I have a preference) is to use separate, short-lived branches for issues. Naming conventions like: "feature-1-do-the-thing". Sent you an invitation.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@DasFaultier BTW, Molecule has been on my "must investigate" list for YEARS. Very happy to have some assistance with testing. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Show threadDasFaultierNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy Would have been the same for me if I hadn't met someone at an Ansible Meetup (thx @dschier) who taught me. You'll love it!
Show threadFPGA enthusiastNov 26, 2022
@robpomeroy Have you seen fedora silverblue by chance? It uses atomic update images, has an immutable filesystem, and flatpaks for applications, which could certainly help making things less breakable. Im sure you could configure it with ansible. It comes with a lot of the hardening features you are enabling by default as well.
Show threadRob PomeroyNov 26, 2022
@fpgasarecool Oh, that's amazing! Thanks so much - will definitely check it out. Immutability (like DeepFreeze) could be very helpful.