CYF Jumpstart

[SallyMcGrath]

I want to do this:

I need a way to set up laptops with everything the trainees need — Linux, Node, NPM, Postgres, etc — I have a giant list. But it can’t be technical at all, as everyone who hasn't learnt anything yet needs to be able to do it and from our experience it has to just be a one click thing.

I don’t want to specify a solution, only the problem, so here are some things we know:

• There’s already a setup we made a few years ago — but staff can’t use it as it’s too hard for them and some new trainees the same. https://github.com/CodeYourFuture/laptop-configuration
• Probably can't involve cables either, just a USB stick
• They need to potentially set up 60 laptops in a block, as well as ad hoc setup
• The laptops can't be guaranteed to be in the same place at the same time
• It needs to work for South Africa too, who don't have a location
• This would be a fixed system for the CYF laptops so the flavour of Linux can be set and then just reviewed once a year
• You can't know the laptop in advance - it could be any type of laptop so long as it meets the minimum spec defined https://docs.codeyourfuture.io/course-processes/joining-the-course/laptops/minimum-laptop-specs
• Some laptops won't have ethernet
• Here's the rest of the stuff we need on there: https://github.com/CodeYourFuture/laptop-configuration/issues/1

Here’s why I want to do it:

• getting laptops set up is a high barrier to entry
• we've tried to have staff do it but they are not technical mainly so this hasn't worked well
• we need to create fairly early experiences with victory and not just have setup hell for months that makes people despair and quit
• a known, re-installable system should reduce fear of breaking things, so encourage more experimentation

Here’s how it serves our goals:

• Linux laptops are our core piece of equipment and all our trainees need a laptop

This is how much time I can put towards this change:

• I haven't got time to do this, I am sorry, but I can give three more hours of time to answer questions and test things. I have already spent a large chunk of time talking to people about this so it would have to be for a credible proof of concept.
• I can also put £500 towards it from Syllabus funds

This is the help I need from others to get this done (if any):

• Need someone to build this whole thing

[theWatchmen]

I think the best two options would be:

• create an Live USB stick that already bundles all the required packages (i.e. https://askubuntu.com/questions/1289947/how-i-can-customize-the-ubuntu-live-iso-installer-using-cubic-add-remove-and). This is probably the best solution for students doing the installation on their own
• create an image of an existing installation that can be replicated to other machines. This is likely the best solution for imaging machines in bulk

What's the time frame for this project?

[SallyMcGrath]

This project has been waiting for someone to complete it since November 2021.

[SallyMcGrath]

More useful context

If you are 404ing on the laptop repo, please join your Github team

Q&A

• is there a memory limit for the USB stick? / Cost is a factor, so please choose the most cost effective option you can, balancing between cost and effectiveness!
• should I assume there is no internet connection? / If possible, make this usable offline. We have some classes running in places without internet access and some without reliable mains power.
• do we know the minimum spec for a laptop? / https://docs.codeyourfuture.io/leaders/joining-the-course/laptops/minimum-laptop-specs

[theWatchmen]

I was able to create a test ISO from a base Lubuntu distribution with nodejs, npm and postgres pre-installed. Current size is 3.1 GB, but maybe we can remove some other packages (I am targeting a 4GB USB stick) I tend to prefer Lubuntu as its UI is lighter and runs better on older laptops.

Once I get access to the laptop repo I can pre-install all the other packages and check which size we get.

[theWatchmen]

I managed to create an image with all packages except nvm. That will need to be installed manually (if needed at all) as I couldn't find a way to pre-create a user as part of the linux image. The overall size is 5GB, hopefully that's ok. Where should I upload it so that people can test it?

[Radha13]

Hi everyone :) I will be more than happy to help with this task if no one beats me to it. I'm going away for 6 weeks and won't have time until June but early July is when I can get to it. Once I have the keys, I will need a couple of days to flash all the keys. Please let me know.

[theWatchmen]

Sorry, I totally forgot to post the link for the image! You should be able to access it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OXgzMJTYilXGshfMYo3CIXOBAScOH-m0/view?usp=sharing Let me know if there are any issues.