Ubuntu "Christian Edition" [technical discussion]

[Iandefor]

I will PM you with your temporary ftp account.

Thanks, Jereme Alrighty. Thanks :).

[forrestcupp]

Thanks, do you know of any Catholic translations that can be used?

Jereme

E-sword is a good free (of cost anyway) bible software for windows that is comparable to gnomesword, only they have a lot more public domain modules. Unfortunately it will never be ported to linux because of the way it is set up. If anyone could figure out how to convert the modules to Sword project modules, it would be helpful. They do have a module that is the King James translation with apocryphal books, which I think is what a Catholic bible is. I have searched for a way to convert them, but I don't think anyone has come up with it yet.

to see what I'm talking about:
http://e-sword.net/

[kpurcell]

I have a suggestion for the next release- install more than just the King James Bible and Matthew's commentary for Gnomesword. The interface in Gnomeword to handle installation of commentaries and translations is... lacking, to put it nicely.

I don't know if this is even possible, but I quite easily installed e-Sword via WINE. It is a much better package and has a lot more availabe for people to use. Can you even do something like that in a Linux distro? If you can, then that would be the best way to include a good Bible Study tool. Or maybe just install WINE and put a link on the desktop showing them where to download it.

[Iandefor]

I don't know if this is even possible, but I quite easily installed e-Sword via WINE. It is a much better package and has a lot more availabe for people to use. Can you even do something like that in a Linux distro? If you can, then that would be the best way to include a good Bible Study tool. Or maybe just install WINE and put a link on the desktop showing them where to download it. To get a technically adequate version out the door... it would suffice. But there are other considerations. Why should a church need Ubuntu if it uses Windows software run through a buggy compatibility layer? Why not just use Windows itself, if it's already relying on Windows software/

[shane2peru]

I don't know if this is even possible, but I quite easily installed e-Sword via WINE. It is a much better package and has a lot more availabe for people to use. Can you even do something like that in a Linux distro? If you can, then that would be the best way to include a good Bible Study tool. Or maybe just install WINE and put a link on the desktop showing them where to download it.

I think you would have to use the link idea, because I think it is against e-Swords policy to become a distributer of e-Sword. I use e-Sword and it is an excellent Bible Study Program, the best free one that I have seen. I have installed it via wine in the past, however it is a little buggy, and doesn't run quite right. I don't think that would be a good display of the best of Linux. I don't even use it on Linux because it is too chopy and buggy.

Shane

[forrestcupp]

I think you would have to use the link idea, because I think it is against e-Swords policy to become a distributer of e-Sword. I use e-Sword and it is an excellent Bible Study Program, the best free one that I have seen. I have installed it via wine in the past, however it is a little buggy, and doesn't run quite right. I don't think that would be a good display of the best of Linux. I don't even use it on Linux because it is too chopy and buggy.

Shane

That's why someone needs to come up with a way to convert Esword modules to Sword Project modules. They are public domain, except for the ones you have to pay for to unlock. I don't know if it would even be possible, though, but that would be nice.

[shane2peru]

I may be mistaken, but I believe that most of the e-Sword modules came from the Sword Project. I have made Sword Project material, and e-Sword material, and Online Bible material, and to be honest it is easier to make e-Sword material, because of the wealth of tools that users have made to convert text, html, rtf and other forms to e-Sword modules. I'm still working on e-Sword material, and will probably never delete my Windows partition for that reason. E-Sword is invaliable to me.

Shane

Sorry Jereme, didn't mean to make this a Sword vs. E-Sword thread.

[jersilb]

Ubuntu Christian edition is fantastic idea! I am already building PC's with Edubuntu and then having to load bible readers (gnomesword or e-sword) afterward. These PC's are then donated to Christian based learning centers, food pantry's, shelters, etc. I know it will be a welcome addition by many folks in the community.

P.S. E-Sword does rock! Even if you build the distro with wine running e-sword it would be awesome.:cool:

Jeremy S.

[Tomosaur]

While I don't follow any religion myself (Agnostic rather than Atheist), I do think this is a pretty good idea. If and when it is released, I'd certainly download a copy and hand it to the priest up the road. He runs a youth group every week in the church and they use computers for whatever reason. I'm fairly sure he'd be very interested in this project.

[mhancoc7]

While I don't follow any religion myself (Agnostic rather than Atheist), I do think this is a pretty good idea. If and when it is released, I'd certainly download a copy and hand it to the priest up the road. He runs a youth group every week in the church and they use computers for whatever reason. I'm fairly sure he'd be very interested in this project.

Thanks so much. Jereme

[mhancoc7]

I have received further confimation from Canonical regarding the Ubuntu Christian Edition project. They have given their "blessing" on it. However, they want me to make some changes to the look of the project site. They want it to be more distinctive. I have been making some changes and I am waiting for their response. I am hoping to stay with something similiar to the Ubuntu look and feel.
Thanks, Jereme

[kigina]

the fish is great, lol.
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/images/headerlogo.png

[mhancoc7]

the fish is great, lol.

Thank you very much. I love GIMP and Inkscape!!

Jereme

[cjm5229]

That would be nice, but that may be hard to do since you have to install modules manually. If this could be done, it would be very helpful. I installed a lot of modules, and it took me forever.

Also, like aysiu said earlier, openlp would be a great addition for churches who want to display song lyrics or other presentations. I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but you should also include gnucash which would be good for a church to keep track of finances.

I found that if you install Bibletime, the modules are just a click away. Once they are installed in Bibletime they will also be in Gnomesword. Bibletime works quite well in Gnome, even though it is a KDE App.

[tageiru]

I have received further confimation from Canonical regarding the Ubuntu Christian Edition project. They have given their "blessing" on it.
What specifically does this "blessing" mean? Is it the same kind of blessing given to kubuntu and xubuntu?

[muz1]

Okay.
This is officially insane. Insane in a good way though. I know that there are some really cheesy stuff out there but this aint one of them. This is about Choice and I personally believe Jesus would have used Linux. Keep up the awesome work and congrats on choosing a rawkn distro.
Audi

muz

[mhancoc7]

What specifically does this "blessing" mean? Is it the same kind of blessing given to kubuntu and xubuntu?

Here is a small quote from my resent correspondence with Canonical.

"The idea behind the project and even the domain are fine. We are pleased that you want to help introduce Ubuntu to this community."

Okay.
This is officially insane. Insane in a good way though. I know that there are some really cheesy stuff out there but this aint one of them. This is about Choice and I personally believe Jesus would have used Linux. Keep up the awesome work and congrats on choosing a rawkn distro.
Audi

muz

Thank you so very much.

God Bless, Jereme

[Iandefor]

Okay.
This is officially insane. Insane in a good way though. I know that there are some really cheesy stuff out there but this aint one of them. This is about Choice and I personally believe Jesus would have used Linux. Keep up the awesome work and congrats on choosing a rawkn distro.
Audi

muz rofl... I can just imagine if Jesus had a bad day with Linux:

"G-DDAM* it!" [Note: only trying to be respectful here... while still getting the joke across :)]

And, from that day on, Linux was considered "unclean" by the masses...

[Lord Illidan]

I just thought up a name...

In Maltese, we call the fish Ichtys.. Iktus..

Now, why not use this word : Ictus as a name for this distro:

Integrated Christian Themed Ubuntu System

What do you think?

[muz1]

Hi Jereme.
Great to see some people out there being innovative. I was going to ask about the posibilities of an alternative to having to reinstall an entire operating system just to see Christian Ubuntu in full flight.
It would be awesome if it could come in a mod pack that contained all of the software, updates and badging etc...
Basically, I have setup my system exactly how I want it and I don't really want to install my applications again. If I could just install something that includes the content of the Christian Ubunut edition, that would be awesome. Your thoughts?

Anyway, cheers and keep up the awesome work.
Murray

[mhancoc7]

I just thought up a name...

In Maltese, we call the fish Ichtys.. Iktus..

Now, why not use this word : Ictus as a name for this distro:

Integrated Christian Themed Ubuntu System

What do you think?

I think that is an excellent name. I will be adding it to the "proposed" ideas list.

Hi Jereme.
Great to see some people out there being innovative. I was going to ask about the posibilities of an alternative to having to reinstall an entire operating system just to see Christian Ubuntu in full flight.
It would be awesome if it could come in a mod pack that contained all of the software, updates and badging etc...
Basically, I have setup my system exactly how I want it and I don't really want to install my applications again. If I could just install something that includes the content of the Christian Ubunut edition, that would be awesome. Your thoughts?

Anyway, cheers and keep up the awesome work.
Murray

Thanks Murray,
I have always wanted to see a "Christian Distro" so I figured I would just see if I could do it.

I am working on what will be the next release now. Along with the next release there will be two scripts that you can use to either Upgrade from the previous release or Convert to the most recent release. I am still testing the scripts. So far so good. They are the first scripts that I have written, but all seems to be working well. I want to be sure that it is easy to Upgrade or Convert. I want to avoid reinstalling the entire OS.

God Bless, Jereme

[mightyteegar]

mhancoc7, I know you've gotten a thousand suggestions for hosting already in this thread, but I strongly urge you to check out Webnet77 (http://www.webnet77.com). I've used them in the past for a number of projects. These folks are serious computer nerds with serious Christianity in their hearts. :) Their tech support is among the fastest and most knowledgeable I have ever worked with (Christian or otherwise), and they can give you vast amounts of hosting space and bandwith for a reasonable price. (Sorry if I sound like a shill here -- I'm not being paid for this, I promise!)

I have some distro suggestions for you as well. I apologize if these have already been posted -- I read about 14 pages of the thread and decided to be lazy and skip to my own reply.

1. Make sure a spreadsheet app, presentation app and email client are not only pre-installed, but easy to locate and get started using. When I set up my girlfriend's (a complete Linux newbie) user account on my Ubuntu box, I put icons on her desktop for her common tasks. She may not know what OpenOffice is, but she surely knows what a "word processor" does. That helped her out greatly.

2. Install Firefox with a set of Christian web links already bookmarked.

3. Provide a folder with a collection of Christian-themed wallpaper-sized images in it.

4. See if you can include a significant Christian clip-art collection for use with newsletters, flyers, presentations, etc. This might be more valuable than one would initially think.

5. I'm not sure how feasible this would be, but you might consider contacting Christian record labels and artists and asking them if they would permit you to include OGG (preferably, especially with MP3's licensing restrictions) or MP3 singles in your distro cost-free. That would be a huge score for you.

6. Is there NetNanny or CyberPatrol-esque software for Linux? If so, might want to consider it.

7. Maybe have a default Christian Firefox skin?

As for those who question why this project is "necessary":

1. Church administrators (clergy, pastors, etc.) will respond more warmly to a fellow Christian's effort to bring something like this into the world. Furthermore, they'll love the idea of free software and be more apt to promote it to their congregation. Promotion -> bigger userbase.

2. Church staff aren't usually techies, or even power users. They have work to do, so they need as rapid and painless a transition as possible. For these folks, installing software qualifies as a "pain."

3. As with point 1, everyday Christians will respond to a fellow Christian's effort to make their computing lives easier. We all know that installing software for such things is simple (hello, apt-get!), but to an uninitiated *nixer that can seem scary -- trust me, I work with people like this all the time. "What? Synaptic? Yikes, this is weird...'Repositories?' Erm..." And so on. A distro like this has a "cool" factor to it because all the hard work has already been done for them.

Beyond these, though, in the end the idea is to help all of them use their computers as tools to carry out the day-to-day tasks associated with Christian faith. This is a highly noble effort, and I applaud mhancoc7 for undertaking it. If it doesn't agree with you, don't use it.

[Lord Illidan]

4. See if you can include a significant Christian clip-art collection for use with newsletters, flyers, presentations, etc. This might be more valuable than one would initially think.

5. I'm not sure how feasible this would be, but you might consider contacting Christian record labels and artists and asking them if they would permit you to include OGG (preferably, especially with MP3's licensing restrictions) or MP3 singles in your distro cost-free. That would be a huge score for you.

Good ideas these are...=P~

[mhancoc7]

mhancoc7, I know you've gotten a thousand suggestions for hosting already in this thread, but I strongly urge you to check out Webnet77 (http://www.webnet77.com). I've used them in the past for a number of projects. These folks are serious computer nerds with serious Christianity in their hearts. :) Their tech support is among the fastest and most knowledgeable I have ever worked with (Christian or otherwise), and they can give you vast amounts of hosting space and bandwith for a reasonable price. (Sorry if I sound like a shill here -- I'm not being paid for this, I promise!)

I have some distro suggestions for you as well. I apologize if these have already been posted -- I read about 14 pages of the thread and decided to be lazy and skip to my own reply.

1. Make sure a spreadsheet app, presentation app and email client are not only pre-installed, but easy to locate and get started using. When I set up my girlfriend's (a complete Linux newbie) user account on my Ubuntu box, I put icons on her desktop for her common tasks. She may not know what OpenOffice is, but she surely knows what a "word processor" does. That helped her out greatly.

2. Install Firefox with a set of Christian web links already bookmarked.

3. Provide a folder with a collection of Christian-themed wallpaper-sized images in it.

4. See if you can include a significant Christian clip-art collection for use with newsletters, flyers, presentations, etc. This might be more valuable than one would initially think.

5. I'm not sure how feasible this would be, but you might consider contacting Christian record labels and artists and asking them if they would permit you to include OGG (preferably, especially with MP3's licensing restrictions) or MP3 singles in your distro cost-free. That would be a huge score for you.

6. Is there NetNanny or CyberPatrol-esque software for Linux? If so, might want to consider it.

7. Maybe have a default Christian Firefox skin?

As for those who question why this project is "necessary":

1. Church administrators (clergy, pastors, etc.) will respond more warmly to a fellow Christian's effort to bring something like this into the world. Furthermore, they'll love the idea of free software and be more apt to promote it to their congregation. Promotion -> bigger userbase.

2. Church staff aren't usually techies, or even power users. They have work to do, so they need as rapid and painless a transition as possible. For these folks, installing software qualifies as a "pain."

3. As with point 1, everyday Christians will respond to a fellow Christian's effort to make their computing lives easier. We all know that installing software for such things is simple (hello, apt-get!), but to an uninitiated *nixer that can seem scary -- trust me, I work with people like this all the time. "What? Synaptic? Yikes, this is weird...'Repositories?' Erm..." And so on. A distro like this has a "cool" factor to it because all the hard work has already been done for them.

Beyond these, though, in the end the idea is to help all of them use their computers as tools to carry out the day-to-day tasks associated with Christian faith. This is a highly noble effort, and I applaud mhancoc7 for undertaking it. If it doesn't agree with you, don't use it.

Thanks for the excellent suggestions. Some have been suggested before, but many have not. I particularly like the idea of including the ogg/mp3 files. My biggest obstacle at this point is fitting it all on a single CD.

I am almost finished with what will be v1.1 (the second release). It will include more GnomeSword modules including the only available Catholic Bible for GnomeSword. It will also include Dansguardian Web Content filtering pre-installed and configured to a moderately restrictive setting.

I had to remove two of the packages that come with the default Ubuntu. They are Ekiga Softphone and the default Gnome Games. I felt like this were the best to go with. I considered replacing OpenOffice with Abiword since this would give me much more room to grow, but I think the lose of a complete Micro$oft Office replacement would be too great. I plan to try and squeeze in some Christian Wallpapers as well as the Firefox bookmarks if at all possible.

I have also had a difficult time with adding things to the Desktop. The permission settings get a little hard to deal with there.

The next release will also include two scripts. One for users of the first release of Ubuntu Christian Edition to upgrade to the latest version, and the other for users of the default Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Dapper Drake to "convert" to Ubuntu Christian Edition.

Well anyway thank you for your comments and suggestions.

God Bless, Jereme

[mhancoc7]

mightyteegar,


I just noticed that your post to my thread was your first. Cool!:D

Jereme

[OneSeventeen]

I haven't read enough of this thread, so I'll be the annoying guy making suggestions and asking questions that have been answered ten times over...

A friend and I are working on a Christian Themed Open Source community, the site isn't up yet, but we do have some forums, if this idea could be mirrored there it would be an awesome addition to the site!!

http://forums.churchforge.net/
(preferrably in the projects section)

Anyway, I would gladly host this on my website until I run out of bandwidth (I could support about 570 downloads a month, and I could also mirror it on another site adding another 500 downloads a month). Not to mention if we added it to churchforge.net, which would be yet another 400 downloads a month (have to save some of that bandwidth for when we host other projects)

I am also working on some software to allow churches to create dynamic sites... kind of like a church-specific CMS, possibly with a standalone app to manage it while automatically generating bullitens and stuff like that. (still in the concept phase, unfortunately)

I'd also include some apps that will make it easy to subscribe to church service podcasts. If it ICTUS (edit:Ubuntu Christian Edition) got popular enough, maybe even start pushing .ogg podcasts (shorter downloads with higher quality)

Just a couple of thoughts... I wanted to be sure and get in on this early, I'll probably review it on the geekons podcast (http://www.geekons.com) when I get to play with the next release.

[mhancoc7]

I haven't read enough of this thread, so I'll be the annoying guy making suggestions and asking questions that have been answered ten times over...

A friend and I are working on a Christian Themed Open Source community, the site isn't up yet, but we do have some forums, if this idea could be mirrored there it would be an awesome addition to the site!!

http://forums.churchforge.net/
(preferrably in the projects section)

Anyway, I would gladly host this on my website until I run out of bandwidth (I could support about 570 downloads a month, and I could also mirror it on another site adding another 500 downloads a month). Not to mention if we added it to churchforge.net, which would be yet another 400 downloads a month (have to save some of that bandwidth for when we host other projects)

I am also working on some software to allow churches to create dynamic sites... kind of like a church-specific CMS, possibly with a standalone app to manage it while automatically generating bullitens and stuff like that. (still in the concept phase, unfortunately)

I'd also include some apps that will make it easy to subscribe to church service podcasts. If it ICTUS got popular enough, maybe even start pushing .ogg podcasts (shorter downloads with higher quality)

Just a couple of thoughts... I wanted to be sure and get in on this early, I'll probably review it on the geekons podcast (http://www.geekons.com) when it gets done!

That all sounds great. I really appreciate it. When you get a chance PM me and we can discuss it further.

Just so you know the name of the project is Ubuntu Christian Edition and not ICTUS. ICTUS was an excellent suggestion by another forum member. There are many reasons why I am staying with the current name. I just wanted to let you know so if you do a review which would be AWESOME!!

I am not sure that this will ever be "done", but the next release will be a very good step in the right direction. It will not be packed with everything under the sun for Christians, but the addition of Dansguardian Web Content filtering is a huge plus in my opinion.

Thanks again, and I will look forward to you PM, Jereme:D

[OneSeventeen]

That all sounds great. I really appreciate it. When you get a chance PM me and we can discuss it further.

Just so you know the name of the project is Ubuntu Christian Edition and not ICTUS. ICTUS was an excellent suggestion by another forum member. There are many reasons why I am staying with the current name. I just wanted to let you know so if you do a review which would be AWESOME!!

I am not sure that this will ever be "done", but the next release will be a very good step in the right direction. It will not be packed with everything under the sun for Christians, but the addition of Dansguardian Web Content filtering is a huge plus in my opinion.

Thanks again, and I will look forward to you PM, Jereme:D

Yeah, I just modified my post when I read more into it... I like "Ubuntu Christian Edition" much better, simply because it is obvious what it is to new users. (although ICTUS was insanely clever!) I haven't tried Dansguardian, but I'm trying to work with my church's "web servants" to come up with some easily distributable web content filtering, and distributing UCE at the Church might be a step in a very good direction!

Oh, and yes, I've PM'ed you.

[leetcharmer]

has anyone considered creating a script similar to Automatix to automatically install the same software and themes to a system with Ubuntu already installed on it? I suggest that there should be both, a distro, and a script for those who don't feel the required need of reformatting to install from scratch again.

Automatix is GPL'd -- so, this shouldn't be too hard :D

[mhancoc7]

has anyone considered creating a script similar to Automatix to automatically install the same software and themes to a system with Ubuntu already installed on it? I suggest that there should be both, a distro, and a script for those who don't feel the required need of reformatting to install from scratch again.

Automatix is GPL'd -- so, this shouldn't be too hard :D

Yes, I am testing what will be the next release now. It will include the full .iso for those just starting, a script for those who want to "upgrade" from v1.0, and a script for those already using default Ubuntu who want to "convert" to Ubuntu Christian Edition.

Thanks, Jereme

[Iandefor]

@Mhancoc7:

Regarding that .deb for gnomesword modules I was going to make- I'm on it. Expect a .deb soon.

[mhancoc7]

@Mhancoc7:

Regarding that .deb for gnomesword modules I was going to make- I'm on it. Expect a .deb soon.

Great!

I have been meaning to PM you. The deb you uploaded before did not want to install. I even tried to install it on my system and it failed to. I have actually found a way to manually add modules during the iso build. It would be nice to have a deb package that would install multiple modules, but if not at least I have a way to do it.:D

Thanks for your work on this.

Jereme

[mhancoc7]

Hi all,

We have just launched our Ubuntu Christian Edition Development Forum (http://forums.churchforge.net/viewforum.php?f=15). It is actually an area of the ChurchForge.net (http://www.churchforge.net) Forum. The area was provided by OneSeventeen (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=16963), a member of this forum.

I had hoped that we could eventually get an area on this forum, but I am afraid that would cause way to much controversy. I still plan on following this thread and posting new ones concerning the Ubuntu Christian Edition project. We just need a place that we could centralize ideas and suggestions for the project.

Thanks, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

I will make you some Ubuntu - Christian Edition userbars. :)

See the Ubuntu ones I made here...

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=200456

[mhancoc7]

I will make you some Ubuntu - Christian Edition userbars. :)

See the Ubuntu ones I made here...

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=200456




Awesome!! Thank you. I will add you to our Team Members list for contributing artwork. What name would you like me to use? Or if you would prefer not to be listed just let me know. It will not offend me, I just want to give credit where credit is due.:D

I assume "userbars" are used for signiture blocks. Is that correct?

God Bless, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

Awesome!! Thank you. I will add you to our Team Members list for contributing artwork. What name would you like me to use? Or if you would prefer not to be listed just let me know. It will not offend me, I just want to give credit where credit is due.:D

I assume "userbars" are used for signiture blocks. Is that correct?

God Bless, Jereme
Hello Jereme,

You are welcome... I will make them later and then post them here. Is there a special one you would like? I will try to make one in an Ubuntu brown too. :) You can use James Rhodes (PenguinMan), and it won't offend me either as I am a Christian too.

Yes, you can use these userbars for forum signatures or e-mail signatures.

What else do you need help with for Ubuntu - Christian Edition?

Regards,
James

[PenguinMan]

Here they are! :) I hope you like them...

Animated:

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce1.gif
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce2.gif
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce3.gif

Static:

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce1.png
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce2.png
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce3.png

[mhancoc7]

Hello Jereme,

You are welcome... I will make them later and then post them here. Is there a special one you would like? I will try to make one in an Ubuntu brown too. :) You can use James Rhodes (PenguinMan), and it won't offend me either as I am a Christian too.

Yes, you can use these userbars for forum signatures or e-mail signatures.

What else do you need help with for Ubuntu - Christian Edition?

Regards,
James

Awesome!! Thanks!!

I could really use some help with coming up with what will be the default wallpaper. I want something that will fit in nicely with the default look of Ubuntu. I want it to be simple, but really polished. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Here they are! :) I hope you like them...

Animated:

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce1.gif
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce2.gif
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce3.gif

Static:

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce1.png
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce2.png
http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/userbar-ubuntu-ce3.png


You ROCK!! They are great!! Thank you so much. Jereme

[RAV TUX]

I could really use some help with coming up with what will be the default wallpaper. I want something that will fit in nicely with the default look of Ubuntu. I want it to be simple, but really polished. If you have any suggestions please let me know.





Jereme, I like your new avatar. Maybe you could incorporate that into your wallpaper.

[mhancoc7]

Jereme, I like your new avatar. Maybe you could incorporate that into your wallpaper.

Thanks. That's a good idea. I will havt to see what I can come up with.
Jereme

[PenguinMan]

Awesome!! Thanks!!
You ROCK!! They are great!! Thank you so much. Jereme

I got a perfect idea for an "ubuntu-christian edition" logo. My artistic skills are not that good, so you will have to bear with me. Here is my crude idea... The purple represents wine - the blood of Christ. The three crosses represent the Holy Trinity - God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and also the three crosses at Calvary. Not too bad... The crosses should be in black to signify the sacrifice the Lord gave to us. I don't know... LOL What do you think?

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/UbuntuLogo-CE.png

[simon_is_learning]

Im also christian and i have woundered why it has taken so long time for someone to do this, i salute you!

Well, I just couldnt help it, so i designed a logo (just for fun) but here it is:

[mhancoc7]

I got a perfect idea for an "ubuntu-christian edition" logo. My artistic skills are not that good, so you will have to bear with me. Here is my crude idea... The purple represents wine - the blood of Christ. The three crosses represent the Holy Trinity - God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and also the three crosses at Calvary. Not too bad... The crosses should be in black to signify the sacrifice the Lord gave to us. I don't know... LOL What do you think?

http://www.seascape.us/ubuntu/UbuntuLogo-CE.png

Im also christian and i have woundered why it has taken so long time for someone to do this, i salute you!

Well, I just couldnt help it, so i designed a logo (just for fun) but here it is:


=D> I applaud both of you for great ideas. I really like them both. Unfortunately one of the conditions that Canonical has given me regarding the project is that I can't change the logo. It actually suits me since it will make it easier to update and maintain the iso.

I am collecting all of the proposed artwork whether or not I can use them or not. That way if things change I will have them for reference. I may also create an area to display them on the site.

Anyway thank you both for your interest and support.

God Bless, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

=D> I applaud both of you for great ideas. I really like them both. Unfortunately one of the conditions that Canonical has given me regarding the project is that I can't change the logo. It actually suits me since it will make it easier to update and maintain the iso.

I am collecting all of the proposed artwork whether or not I can use them or not. That way if things change I will have them for reference. I may also create an area to display them on the site.

Anyway thank you both for your interest and support.

God Bless, Jereme
I think Canonical should allow you to make a different logo, because it is not the regular flavour of Ubuntu.

[mhancoc7]

I think Canonical should allow you to make a different logo, because it is not the regular flavour of Ubuntu.

I agree. I would alos love to have a forum area here for the project, but that is very unlikely. Since my goal was to stay very close to the look and feel of the default Ubuntu it is kinda fine with me though. I really love Ubuntu and think it would make an excellent option for churches and individual Christians as well.

Thanks, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

I agree. I would alos love to have a forum area here for the project, but that is very unlikely. Since my goal was to stay very close to the look and feel of the default Ubuntu it is kinda fine with me though. I really love Ubuntu and think it would make an excellent option for churches and individual Christians as well.

Thanks, Jereme

You could change the whole look of the christian edition to be a winey, purple-like look throughout. Combined with my logo idea, there would be something unique.

[mips]

I think Canonical should allow you to make a different logo, because it is not the regular flavour of Ubuntu.

Uhm, it's their trademark, if you want to use the name then you have to abide by their rules. if you drop the name Ubuntu out of the distro you can use any logo you please.

[shane2peru]

I would be carefull editing the themes too much. You will lose the Ubuntu look, also you will start to limit your fields. I know that "Christian" includes a very large group, and if you start to paint Ubuntu a Catholic color (just using them for an example), you will lose others, and visa versa. - By no means am I trying to start a debate, I just think the playing field needs to be left at "Christian". I'm a devout believer, and could really draw some lines here, but for the sake of not dividing the project I won't. I really like the project, and it is a GREAT EFFORT AND WORK.

Shane

[bluesaze]

Hello there. I came here after I read about this on DIGG. I am Web Designer and Developer (also a christian). Recently I finished developing a friend's Church Website. If you want I can design a better looking website for you for free.

A suggestion, why dont you host the Christian Ubuntu on a sub domain. example http://Ubuntu.whatwouldjesusdownload.com it would be easier for people.

I think you can go in for a better User interface if we could customise ubuntu to the following tutorial http://www.taimila.com/ubuntuosx.php and distribute it since I think Mac os x look is more appealing to people but thats just my personal opinion since I am not a big Fan of the Ubuntu Orange Look.

Please send me a PM if you would like the website designed.

[mhancoc7]

Hello there. I came here after I read about this on DIGG. I am Web Designer and Developer (also a christian). Recently I finished developing a friend's Church Website. If you want I can design a better looking website for you for free.

A suggestion, why dont you host the Christian Ubuntu on a sub domain. example http://Ubuntu.whatwouldjesusdownload.com it would be easier for people.

I think you can go in for a better User interface if we could customise ubuntu to the following tutorial http://www.taimila.com/ubuntuosx.php and distribute it since I think Mac os x look is more appealing to people but thats just my personal opinion since I am not a big Fan of the Ubuntu Orange Look.

Please send me a PM if you would like the website designed.

Hi bluesaze,
I appreciate your interest in this project. It is an awesome offer of you. For now I think we will stay with the current design. I want the site to be similiar to the design of www.ubuntu.com (http://www.ubuntu.com/) and the Ubuntu forums, www.ubuntuforums.org. (http://www.ubuntuforums.org./) I think it fits quite nicely with them. Canonical did ask me to make some changes to distinguish it a bit better.

I also do not plan to make any major changes to the default Ubuntu look or setup. The goal behind this project was never to completely deviate from the default Ubuntu. I mainly wanted to draw more Ubuntu users from the Christian demographic.

The one piece of artwork that I really want to get settled on is a default wallpaper for the next release. I want it to fit in with the default look and feel of Ubuntu, but with a subtle Christian touch.

The url is www.ChristianUbuntu.com. (http://www.christianubuntu.com./) It is redirected to the site. I am actually using a "very" customized and tweak blog for the site. In fact it is two blogs. I like the setup because it is very easy for me to make changes and additions. My main focus is on the next release for now anyway.

Thank you again for your suggestions and offer.

God Bless, Jereme

[forrestcupp]

You could change the whole look of the christian edition to be a winey, purple-like look throughout. Combined with my logo idea, there would be something unique.

That much purple would be very distracting.

[electrosoccertux]

For serving the ISO, I'd go the torrent route. Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but at least that way nobody has to "serve" all that bandwidth.

I don't really want a "Christian" Linux distribution as you put it, as your project is taking current programs away and replacing them with Bible programs. There's nothing wrong with Bible programs, but the whole point of getting people on Linux is to get them to see they don't need their Windows anymore. After this Christian Ubuntu (Jesubuntu? Jehobuntu? lol :), they will still need their Windows. Unless that is you are removing programs nobody needs, or have some other caveate that makes this worthwhile. If so then disregard what I've said, just my opinion that isn't worth much seeing as I haven't read more than the first page of this post.

Most computers have enough HDD space to do both Ubuntu and any Christian programs. Perhaps a tar with an install script and all the other tars of the programs you would like to include? This would reduce bandwidth required to distribute this distrubution, and would ensure nobody gets angry because [insert application here] was removed from Jesubuntu.

[mhancoc7]

For serving the ISO, I'd go the torrent route. Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but at least that way nobody has to "serve" all that bandwidth.

I don't really want a "Christian" Linux distribution as you put it, as your project is taking current programs away and replacing them with Bible programs. There's nothing wrong with Bible programs, but the whole point of getting people on Linux is to get them to see they don't need their Windows anymore. After this Christian Ubuntu (Jesubuntu? Jehobuntu? lol :), they will still need their Windows. Unless that is you are removing programs nobody needs, or have some other caveate that makes this worthwhile. If so then disregard what I've said, just my opinion that isn't worth much seeing as I haven't read more than the first page of this post.

Most computers have enough HDD space to do both Ubuntu and any Christian programs. Perhaps a tar with an install script and all the other tars of the programs you would like to include? This would reduce bandwidth required to distribute this distrubution, and would ensure nobody gets angry because [insert application here] was removed from Jesubuntu.

Hi, thanks for your input.

The torrent route has been mentioned. Since Oklahoma Christian University has donated bandwith and server space, I have really focused my attention on the next release. I may revisit the torrent idea later though.

The first release only removed the "Example Content" This gave me just enough room to GnomeSword with modules. The first release was geared towards stability and less trying to pack it full.

I don't plan on removing any applications that are vital. For instance it would make it easier for me to replace OpenOffice with Abiword. This would give me a lot of space to work with. However, I think that would be an injustice to the end user. I will have to remove some packages though. Any packages I do remove will be fully disclosed and instructions or an install script will be provided.

I have also put together some scripts for the next release. One to upgrade to the next release, and one to "convert" for those who are using the default Ubuntu.

My current plan for the iso is to select the packages that will be included on the LiveCd, and make the minor graphical modifications. This will be the full Ubuntu Christian Edition. It will update along with Ubuntu. So when Edgy is released so will the next version of Ubuntu Christian Edition. I will then provide scripts to "super charge" Ubuntu Christian Edition. I plan to gear some to Church Administration, and some to individuals.

I hope that all made sense.

Thanks, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

Hello there. I came here after I read about this on DIGG. I am Web Designer and Developer (also a christian). Recently I finished developing a friend's Church Website. If you want I can design a better looking website for you for free.

A suggestion, why dont you host the Christian Ubuntu on a sub domain. example http://Ubuntu.whatwouldjesusdownload.com it would be easier for people.

I think you can go in for a better User interface if we could customise ubuntu to the following tutorial http://www.taimila.com/ubuntuosx.php and distribute it since I think Mac os x look is more appealing to people but thats just my personal opinion since I am not a big Fan of the Ubuntu Orange Look.

Please send me a PM if you would like the website designed.
Very cool, Sir! :)

[PenguinMan]

That much purple would be very distracting.
Purple is nice... :)

[neighborlee]

its too bad that the IRC channel is such a biggoted and irrational place..I hope that you take time to disect what some of your OP's are doing..and yes I have logs to PROVE it if you wish..showing how nasty things got in the IRC chat.

I suggest fixing this as otherwise it will tarnish an otherwise good attempt.

cheers
g.leej (nl)

[philipacamaniac]

Check out some thoughts I put down about a "Chubuntu" (church ubuntu) for small and poor churches. Free software is their only legal avenue, and Ubuntu is the best candidate there. My idea was to create a metapackage (much like the Xubuntu originally did) which would install any extra software that's required for churches.

Right now the brain dump is on my Wiki user page (if anyone else thinks it is interesting, I'll move it and create a whole separate page).

http://wiki.ubuntu.com/PhilipCain

On the other hand, distributing a single CD of the full desktop Ubuntu, minus some default apps to make room for church apps, probably isn't the best way to go about it. I like the idea of putting the metapackage and its dependencies on a separate CD (and web archive) that can be added to any installation of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu or Xubuntu.

[NewWaves]

sigh... why must we put religion into this whole thing? let them install these programs after they choose what they want...

[Redcard]

We've already had this discussion. Please leave, NewWaves. This topic is about the technical issues in the design of this release.

[steveneddy]

Could we get a list, maybe on the web site, that would highlight the particular programs that have a Christian theme that we that have already installed Ubuntu, may install ourselves?

I detailed list would be wonderful.

Thanks for the good works.

-SE

[Aike]

Do you intend to create a new irc channel or fix the old one? I would like that.

[mhancoc7]

Do you intend to create a new irc channel or fix the old one? I would like that.

Well, I am not planning to create another one for now. Things got real bad on the last one. I just don't think it is worth the risk and effort.
Thanks, Jereme

[secdroid]

Suggestions:

On page
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/forum.html
the link "Ubuntu Web Forum (English)" points to page
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

Might it not be better to point this link to
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=218724

You might also consider changing the link text
-- from --
Ubuntu Web Forum (English)
-- to --
Ubuntu "Christian Edition" [technical discussion]
in order to avoid confusion.

Another thought -- your site sells several different articles to support the project. One article is randomly displayed on each page view.

However, it is not obvious what all of the choices are. It might help if you indicated that the complete list of articles is available at http://www.cafepress.com/wwjdwordwear/1660003 or provide some other way to indicate the options to the viewer of the page.

Best of luck with your project.

Doug Z.

[mhancoc7]

Suggestions:

On page
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/forum.html
the link "Ubuntu Web Forum (English)" points to page
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

Might it not be better to point this link to
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=218724

You might also consider changing the link text
-- from --
Ubuntu Web Forum (English)
-- to --
Ubuntu "Christian Edition" [technical discussion]
in order to avoid confusion.

Another thought -- your site sells several different articles to support the project. One article is randomly displayed on each page view.

However, it is not obvious what all of the choices are. It might help if you indicated that the complete list of articles is available at http://www.cafepress.com/wwjdwordwear/1660003 or provide some other way to indicate the options to the viewer of the page.

Best of luck with your project.

Doug Z.

Thanks for the suggestion Doug.

I put the link to the main forums because Ubuntu CE is based directly from Ubuntu so their best bet for support is the forums. I have started a Ubuntu Christian Edition Development (http://forums.churchforge.net/index.php?c=7) forum at Churchforge.net (http://forums.churchforge.net). It is also listed on the Forum pages of the project site. It is supposed to take the place of this thead.

The cafepress idea is a good one. I never really thought about it.
Thanks, Jereme

[Lord Illidan]

I blogged about this project, mhancoc7, I hope you like it...Do tell me if you have any suggestions : www.lordillidan.wordpress.com

[codypumper]

Here are a few comments on the IRC channel;

First, #christian-ubuntu is now the IRC channel.
Second, I will have a bot (Cbot) in the room, whom should be the only OP,
therefore hopefully stopping the incident which happened last time.
Thirdly, "neighborlee" please PM me these logs.

I was on vacation, but I'm back now and plan to take more care of the IRC channel. If the bot goes down, which will inevitably happen occasionally, I apologize. If anyone has a server they can run a bot on please contact me.

Thanks.

[Iandefor]

Okay, so I can get the .deb for GNOMESword modules to generate, but it looks like it won't work. I hate to do this, but if there's no particular need for these modules (ie, you can get them preinstalled using UCK), do you mind if I just tick that off my list of things to do?

[mhancoc7]

I blogged about this project, mhancoc7, I hope you like it...Do tell me if you have any suggestions : www.lordillidan.wordpress.com (http://www.lordillidan.wordpress.com)

You ROCK!! I really appreciate that. It is nice to see that someone gets what I am trying to do. :D

Here are a few comments on the IRC channel;

First, #christian-ubuntu is now the IRC channel.
Second, I will have a bot (Cbot) in the room, whom should be the only OP,
therefore hopefully stopping the incident which happened last time.
Thirdly, "neighborlee" please PM me these logs.

I was on vacation, but I'm back now and plan to take more care of the IRC channel. If the bot goes down, which will inevitably happen occasionally, I apologize. If anyone has a server they can run a bot on please contact me.

Thanks.

Hi, and thanks for your work. I am not real familiar with IRC channels. Do you think it is safe to add it back to the project site? I am a little hesitant because of what happened before. I hope we can get it working and keep it clean. It seems like an excellent resource to have. I would also like to see the logs from the incident.

Okay, so I can get the .deb for GNOMESword modules to generate, but it looks like it won't work. I hate to do this, but if there's no particular need for these modules (ie, you can get them preinstalled using UCK), do you mind if I just tick that off my list of things to do?

Yes, absolutely. I appreciate your hardwork on the deb package. I have got the install of the modules working great. I am running into another problem now. Dansguardian installs fine and works great from the LiveCD, but it causes the installer to crash. I am pondering the thought of having Dansguardian be one of those "power scripts" that I am working on since I know that I am going to have to have those as well since I am quickly running out of space on a CD. :D

God Bless, Jereme

[codypumper]

mhancoc7, I wouldn't add it to the projects page untill a few people are using it or I figure out how to host the bot on someone's server.

[mhancoc7]

mhancoc7, I wouldn't add it to the projects page untill a few people are using it or I figure out how to host the bot on someone's server.

Thanks, just keep me posted.
Jereme

[CaptainTux]

I am trying to remember the last time I read an entire thread that was longer than 5 pages in one sitting. You have done a very good job with your first effort here. You have also furthered Ubuntu's own mission.

The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Philosophy: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

These freedoms make Ubuntu fundamentally different from traditional proprietary software: not only are the tools you need available free of charge, you have the right to modify your software until it works the way you want it to.

Sometimes we forget that newbies look at computers differently than we do. Now, add certain unique aspects of the church in the mix, and you have a "tough sell". Why have Xubuntu, Edubuntu, KUbuntu, Ubuntu Christian Edition...etc etc etc. I mean you can easily install it yourself, right? Look, people are used to buying a program off the shelf at Best Buy and popping it in and having InstallShield do all the work. CNR is providing a great service in that regard and Synaptic gets better every day. However, this is still not intuitive to people. The other aspect is free beer that turns out to be pirated beer is a problem...not just in churches, but everywhere. I think it is a big hindrance to The GIMP. People will look at me and say...Not as good as Photoshop. They have Phototshop in their HD, but I only have 2 friends that actually PAID for Photoshop.

Many churches rely on "computer guy". Getting to be computer guy usually means being the first one to get there who can turn one on. Many of these people...with no ill intent...just an ignorance of licensing and IP issues...pop in copies of whatever they have at home. Many churches cannot take advantage of the MS licensing reduction for educational groups and not for profits because getting a 501c3 can be expensive and arduous.

The churches are used to buying pews, hymnals, and Bibles from Christian based companies. This has extended to software as well. This may sound silly to some, but when I was right out of college I was running car washes for Turtle Wax. We used Car Watch Software to run our washes.

When I was in the Seminary in 1989-1992 we had a computer lab in our small school and a teacher that understood how to make the best use of limited tools. He had us run a mock church using Works. To this day, I run my business mostly using OOo. If you can master a good spreadsheet, you can pretty much do whatever you want. However, people do not see things like that.

You give an offering that has Bible study tools, a lyric projection program like Lyricue, and a Church Database System and you have something.

I am a member of The Freely Project. We try to assemble Linux and FOSS savvy professionals to donate their time to churches to get them away from unlicensed software, get them into libre software, and show them how to use it in such a way that there now only making better use of money, but time as well. This is something that even Richard Stallman supports and applauds.

Add a few more pieces of software here and you have something that groups like the one I belong to can use to get more Linux users out there. It also helps fulfill Ubuntu's very own mission.

Well done!

[mhancoc7]

I am trying to remember the last time I read an entire thread that was longer than 5 pages in one sitting. You have done a very good job with your first effort here. You have also furthered Ubuntu's own mission.



Sometimes we forget that newbies look at computers differently than we do. Now, add certain unique aspects of the church in the mix, and you have a "tough sell". Why have Xubuntu, Edubuntu, KUbuntu, Ubuntu Christian Edition...etc etc etc. I mean you can easily install it yourself, right? Look, people are used to buying a program off the shelf at Best Buy and popping it in and having InstallShield do all the work. CNR is providing a great service in that regard and Synaptic gets better every day. However, this is still not intuitive to people. The other aspect is free beer that turns out to be pirated beer is a problem...not just in churches, but everywhere. I think it is a big hindrance to The GIMP. People will look at me and say...Not as good as Photoshop. They have Phototshop in their HD, but I only have 2 friends that actually PAID for Photoshop.

Many churches rely on "computer guy". Getting to be computer guy usually means being the first one to get there who can turn one on. Many of these people...with no ill intent...just an ignorance of licensing and IP issues...pop in copies of whatever they have at home. Many churches cannot take advantage of the MS licensing reduction for educational groups and not for profits because getting a 501c3 can be expensive and arduous.

The churches are used to buying pews, hymnals, and Bibles from Christian based companies. This has extended to software as well. This may sound silly to some, but when I was right out of college I was running car washes for Turtle Wax. We used Car Watch Software to run our washes.

When I was in the Seminary in 1989-1992 we had a computer lab in our small school and a teacher that understood how to make the best use of limited tools. He had us run a mock church using Works. To this day, I run my business mostly using OOo. If you can master a good spreadsheet, you can pretty much do whatever you want. However, people do not see things like that.

You give an offering that has Bible study tools, a lyric projection program like Lyricue, and a Church Database System and you have something.

I am a member of The Freely Project. We try to assemble Linux and FOSS savvy professionals to donate their time to churches to get them away from unlicensed software, get them into libre software, and show them how to use it in such a way that there now only making better use of money, but time as well. This is something that even Richard Stallman supports and applauds.

Add a few more pieces of software here and you have something that groups like the one I belong to can use to get more Linux users out there. It also helps fulfill Ubuntu's very own mission.

Well done!

Well said CaptainTux.

I will be emailing you to discuss things. I have just been trying to keep my head above water with all the attention that this has gotten.

I am trying to get Dansguardian web content filtering installed for the next release. I am running into to some problems with it though.

I hope to get the next release to a point that it can be the base Ubuntu CE. Then I will begin to provide scripts to "super charge" it. I can only fit so much on the LiveCD and I do not want to remove too much from the default Ubuntu.

Well anyway thanks, Jereme

[PenguinMan]

Many churches cannot take advantage of the MS licensing reduction for educational groups and not for profits because getting a 501c3 can be expensive and arduous.

Hey Cap'n! :)

I don't know if you are aware of this, but there is no legal requirement for a church or religious ministry to ever have to apply for a 501c3 non-profit status in the United States. That "non-profit" status is already guaranteed by the IRS's own laws. It is a legal redundancy trap that churches have fallen into, and lawyers have helped push this in order to make more money. The churches think they need to apply for it, but in reality they don't have to at all. When a church applies for 501c3 status, they lose their right to ever criticise the government, etc. This is so wrong - I don't think any church should be subject to what politicians have to say in Washington, D.C.

[CaptainTux]

Good point, James. I am aware of that. Before the mods catch us going too far OT, I will slide this in speedy quick ;). Unfortunately, there are many software vendors that will not give the not or profit pricing if you are not a 501C3. The good news is, FOSS gives us an alternatives with out having to worry about such matters.:)

[CaptainTux]

Jereme,

You have my email addy. I am sure you will get to me when you have an opportunity.

[PenguinMan]

Good point, James. I am aware of that. Before the mods catch us going too far OT, I will slide this in speedy quick ;). Unfortunately, there are many software vendors that will not give the not or profit pricing if you are not a 501C3. The good news is, FOSS gives us an alternatives with out having to worry about such matters.:)
Very true... :) In reality, most churches would never need Microsoft Windows and its related programs. OpenOffice 2 does about everything I would ever need.

[fapapa]

Hey Jereme, very cool idea. I've always thought that open-source in general is a very Christian idea (or at least it fits in well with it). It's too bad more Christians aren't at the forefront of open-source.

Well, before I get off topic, I wanted to show a (very crude) potential logo that is both strongly Ubuntu-ish and strongly Christian (ie: the cross, the Trinity), as well as being simple, easily identifiable to the product, and reducable to b&w. In fact, this preliminary version is in black and white. Threw it together in 15 minutes (my first time using gimp).

I gave up reading this thread after the first 14 pages, so I don't know if you already have a definitive logo. Hopefully this is usefull to this project.

I'd be happy to do further work on it if you think it has potential.

[Lord Illidan]

The Logo cannot be modified from the original Ubuntu Logo.

[Redcard]

A lot of people seem to be modifiying the logo. So, you logo modifiers, I'm sorry, but the Ubuntu trademark license says that Ubuntu CE can't change the logo.

That said, though, it'd be good if we put you somewhere else. So.. here we go. The first psuedo derivitive project to keep you art types busy. Ubuntu CE needs backgrounds, splash screens (for GNOME) , login screens (for GDM), and a few other art type things. Perhaps you guys could start focusing on that?

Just on a whim, do remember the OpenClipart collection does contain some religious graphics.. that can get you started. Also remember that the ORIGINAL ubuntu logo cannot be modified, but there can be all kinds of artwork created that does not involve a logo at all.

So, art types, get creating :) It'd be very nice if this distribution could have a consistant look and feel all its own.

[mhancoc7]

Hey Jereme, very cool idea. I've always thought that open-source in general is a very Christian idea (or at least it fits in well with it). It's too bad more Christians aren't at the forefront of open-source.

Well, before I get off topic, I wanted to show a (very crude) potential logo that is both strongly Ubuntu-ish and strongly Christian (ie: the cross, the Trinity), as well as being simple, easily identifiable to the product, and reducable to b&w. In fact, this preliminary version is in black and white. Threw it together in 15 minutes (my first time using gimp).

I gave up reading this thread after the first 14 pages, so I don't know if you already have a definitive logo. Hopefully this is usefull to this project.

I'd be happy to do further work on it if you think it has potential.

Thanks, I have saved the logo to my ever growing collection. I like the concept a lot, but one of the guidelines that I have been given was to not change the logo.

A lot of people seem to be modifiying the logo. So, you logo modifiers, I'm sorry, but the Ubuntu trademark license says that Ubuntu CE can't change the logo.

That said, though, it'd be good if we put you somewhere else. So.. here we go. The first psuedo derivitive project to keep you art types busy. Ubuntu CE needs backgrounds, splash screens (for GNOME) , login screens (for GDM), and a few other art type things. Perhaps you guys could start focusing on that?

Just on a whim, do remember the OpenClipart collection does contain some religious graphics.. that can get you started. Also remember that the ORIGINAL ubuntu logo cannot be modified, but there can be all kinds of artwork created that does not involve a logo at all.

So, art types, get creating :) It'd be very nice if this distribution could have a consistant look and feel all its own.

You are right. I am hoping to get a distinctive look for the next release. I want it to be subtle, and it needs to fit nicely with the default look and feel of Ubuntu. I do not plan on changing the theme. I would like to get a splash screen, gdm, and wallpaper that all fit nicely together as well as with the Ubuntu look. I would also like a new usplash. I have not tested changing the usplash, however.

God Bless, Jereme

[themusicwave]

Hey I just wanted to say I read through most of this discussion(yeah that took awhile) and I like the idea. I'm also a Christian, and I can think of several people who I coudld give this to.

What I want to know is how can I help with the project. Specfically, I was wondering what apps might need to be created. I would probably have to write them in Java, since almost all of my previous programming was done in Windows and I have no idea how to write programs for Linux in most languages. Also, Java is my best language.

I'll look at the existing apps and see if I can think of anything that might need created. Also, any suggestions are fine. I would happily create anything from something tiny to a big project. I can't say I have a ton of experience(Going to be a senior in college), but I'd like to use my programming talents to help this effort and glorify God.

I would also be happy to work with others on an app or help out in other ways.

[mhancoc7]

Hey I just wanted to say I read through most of this discussion(yeah that took awhile) and I like the idea. I'm also a Christian, and I can think of several people who I coudld give this to.

What I want to know is how can I help with the project. Specfically, I was wondering what apps might need to be created. I would probably have to write them in Java, since almost all of my previous programming was done in Windows and I have no idea how to write programs for Linux in most languages. Also, Java is my best language.

I'll look at the existing apps and see if I can think of anything that might need created. Also, any suggestions are fine. I would happily create anything from something tiny to a big project. I can't say I have a ton of experience(Going to be a senior in college), but I'd like to use my programming talents to help this effort and glorify God.

I would also be happy to work with others on an app or help out in other ways.

WOW you read the whole thread. That is impressive.

Thank you so much for your willingness to help out. I would love to have some apps developed Ubuntu CE. The best place to bounce some ideas around about this is the Ubuntu Christian Edition Development Forum (http://forums.churchforge.net/index.php?c=7). Hope to see you there.

God Bless, Jereme

[themusicwave]

It's a slow day at work....

Anyways I created an account on the dev forum. It is awaiting approval.

We can discuss details there.

[mhancoc7]

It's a slow day at work....

Anyways I created an account on the dev forum. It is awaiting approval.

We can discuss details there.

Awesome!! :-D

[curuxz]

I have arived late on this one, mostly because I have not had the net for over a month, something that still wont be fixed for a week or so.

I have to honestly say what im thinking, I felt physicaly sick when I read the title of this thread and found out that a project like this had arived to Ubuntu. It sadens me greatly that in a modern world with so many great minds and so much inteligentece people can still have minds weak enough that they can be brainwashed by this crap. No offence to the guys making the project, though I expect you will take offence, but religion goes against the very spirit of free software. Free software and open software allow for freedom of expression, ideas and equal access to all and to misuse that banner of freespeach to promote and expand any ideoligy that dictates what people should think and how they should act is offensive in every way to me and I would hope many others.

I am deeply destressed that people would even think its appropriate to mix religon and ubuntu but to see so many messages of support is the saddest part of it. Yes i am aware this is the technical discussion, but this is a techincal point since this project will alienate many many more than it will invite.

I cant respond for another week to what im sure will be lots of critisim of my point of view, so any comments I will reply to on the 15th. If this project is serioulsly released and maintained I will personaly seek to level the playing feild.

BTW: as always appolgies for spelling, I am sevearly dyslexic and I did bother to try and check but probs failed :)

[mhancoc7]

I have arived late on this one, mostly because I have not had the net for over a month, something that still wont be fixed for a week or so.

I have to honestly say what im thinking, I felt physicaly sick when I read the title of this thread and found out that a project like this had arived to Ubuntu. It sadens me greatly that in a modern world with so many great minds and so much inteligentece people can still have minds weak enough that they can be brainwashed by this crap. No offence to the guys making the project, though I expect you will take offence, but religion goes against the very spirit of free software. Free software and open software allow for freedom of expression, ideas and equal access to all and to misuse that banner of freespeach to promote and expand any ideoligy that dictates what people should think and how they should act is offensive in every way to me and I would hope many others.

I am deeply destressed that people would even think its appropriate to mix religon and ubuntu but to see so many messages of support is the saddest part of it. Yes i am aware this is the technical discussion, but this is a techincal point since this project will alienate many many more than it will invite.

I cant respond for another week to what im sure will be lots of critisim of my point of view, so any comments I will reply to on the 15th. If this project is serioulsly released and maintained I will personaly seek to level the playing feild.

BTW: as always appolgies for spelling, I am sevearly dyslexic and I did bother to try and check but probs failed :)

There is a seperate thread for this type of rhetoric. It has been exhausted and the forum has collectively let it die.
Jereme

[Redcard]

The Logo cannot be modified from the original Ubuntu Logo.

I have arived late on this one, mostly because I have not had the net for over a month, something that still wont be fixed for a week or so.

I have to honestly say what im thinking, I felt physicaly sick when I read the title of this thread and found out that a project like this had arived to Ubuntu. It sadens me greatly that in a modern world with so many great minds and so much inteligentece people can still have minds weak enough that they can be brainwashed by this crap. No offence to the guys making the project, though I expect you will take offence, but religion goes against the very spirit of free software. Free software and open software allow for freedom of expression, ideas and equal access to all and to misuse that banner of freespeach to promote and expand any ideoligy that dictates what people should think and how they should act is offensive in every way to me and I would hope many others.

I am deeply destressed that people would even think its appropriate to mix religon and ubuntu but to see so many messages of support is the saddest part of it. Yes i am aware this is the technical discussion, but this is a techincal point since this project will alienate many many more than it will invite.

I cant respond for another week to what im sure will be lots of critisim of my point of view, so any comments I will reply to on the 15th. If this project is serioulsly released and maintained I will personaly seek to level the playing feild.

BTW: as always appolgies for spelling, I am sevearly dyslexic and I did bother to try and check but probs failed :)

What about your apologies for actually coming in and wasting our time with this?

Nobody is forcing you to read this thread, participate in this project, or like this idea. The fact that you went out of your way to write that nice long essay shows your hatefulness.

I am not a christian. I wouldn't ever go back to being one. I am a Buddhist, and am very happy as one.

But that said, this thread isn't about ME. It isn't about YOU. It's about a christian distribution of Ubuntu. By my being here and contributing, it means I understand the larger scope of Ubuntu's goal and purpose.. that is, to be Linux for Everyone.

What are you offering to Ubuntu?

[CaptainTux]

Here is some food for thought.

http://software.newsforge.com/software/06/04/14/1535251.shtml?tid=150

You will see Richard Stallman, an athiest, encouraging churches to use Free Software.

To keep this from straying, allow me to give you the pragmatic view on how niche distros help the larger picture.


In the quest for getting Linux into schools, we have Edubuntu and Linpsire and Novell are working with the state of Indiana.To make this happen in schools we need better administration tools for teachers, simplified network authentication, more intuitive GUI's, and better educational software.

Developers that are parents will be more attracted to such products...here is the question....can these more intuitive GUI's help the whole of Linux? Any improvement to GNOME and KDE is a win. Can enterprises use better authentication? Yes. Can central management tools for classrooms be adopted to attendance for retail stores, online scheduling, grading for performance reviews? Yep.

Now, one who is a church goer can develop database front ends for tracking attendance, volunteer involvement, tithes, health needs of kids in Sunday School, etc. These tools can be applied to many not for profits with little customization. Some of the tools for Sunday School can be used by traditional schools. Maybe they can be adapted for businesses.

The scratching of an itch by a developer meets the immediate need of a group, but can then be expanded to meet the needs of other groups. With FOSS, the opportunities to share the success in one niche can be easily adopted to another.

Heck, as this program develops, many of the tolls can be used easily by synagogues, mosks, etc.

Edubuntu was my first official entry to Ubunutu. Could I have just gotten Ubunutu and added the tools myself? Sure. But this was an out of the box experience that made it easier for me-as a lazy bum-have a tool for my daughter on an old G3 Apple laptop that did not do so hot with OS X.

Once the education people start using this flavor and the churches use another flavor at a level they are comfortable with...we draw them into the main mission of Ubuntu, FOSS, etc and get them away from niche forums and into the whole of the Bazaar. Their bug reports, improvements, needs, and even personalities make the whole better.

I want adoption of these tools. Schools, churches and not for profit charities are behind the curve in technology for the most part. If we elevate these groups to the forefront of technology, we have done a good thing and showed what community truly is.

[forrestcupp]

Will this CD include OpenLP?
http://openlp.org/en/

Hey, I know that this was posted a long time ago, but I just checked out this website. I was thinking from reading the features about how awesome this looks for displaying lyrics with a projector. Then I looked at the system requirements and saw that you have to have Windows and Directx. I did a search on their website for Linux and nothing came up. What a disappointment!

So does anyone know of a lyric presentation software for Linux other than Lyricue? Lyricue looks good, but from what I see, it doesn't support playing videos or multimedia, which I need.

[gothx]

Well... I am an atheist.... and correct me if I'm wrong... but isn't the ubuntu based on an humanist principle? well... guess that it ain't that much of a christian distro as much as a humanist... but hey, if you want to atract more people with a Christbuntu by brainwahsing them, hey, you're welcome.

[codypumper]

I found a page of christian apps for linux: http://www.raphink.info/christian-open-source-projects-on-sourceforge-pages-1-2

[Redcard]

You're wrong, gothx. The philosophy behind Ubuntu is this:

Our work on Ubuntu is driven by a philosophy on software freedom that we hope will spread and bring the benefits of software technology to all parts of the globe.

http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/philosophy
---------

Notice the part where it says this:

"Every computer user should have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, share, change and improve their software for any purpose, without paying licensing fees."

That includes Christians.

Ubuntu is NOT founded on the principles of atheism.

[nursegirl]

Can one of the mods move the most recent posts about religion to this thread (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=219526) or another place in the backyard?

[CaptainTux]

Hey, I know that this was posted a long time ago, but I just checked out this website. I was thinking from reading the features about how awesome this looks for displaying lyrics with a projector. Then I looked at the system requirements and saw that you have to have Windows and Directx. I did a search on their website for Linux and nothing came up. What a disappointment!

So does anyone know of a lyric presentation software for Linux other than Lyricue? Lyricue looks good, but from what I see, it doesn't support playing videos or multimedia, which I need.

Lyriucue is the only one I am aware of, but there may be others. What about using kino or cinerella?

Here are some more links.

http://matheteuo.org/portal_05.php

[Iandefor]

I have arived late on this one, mostly because I have not had the net for over a month, something that still wont be fixed for a week or so.

I have to honestly say what im thinking, I felt physicaly sick when I read the title of this thread and found out that a project like this had arived to Ubuntu. It sadens me greatly that in a modern world with so many great minds and so much inteligentece people can still have minds weak enough that they can be brainwashed by this crap. No offence to the guys making the project, though I expect you will take offence, but religion goes against the very spirit of free software. Free software and open software allow for freedom of expression, ideas and equal access to all and to misuse that banner of freespeach to promote and expand any ideoligy that dictates what people should think and how they should act is offensive in every way to me and I would hope many others.

I am deeply destressed that people would even think its appropriate to mix religon and ubuntu but to see so many messages of support is the saddest part of it. Yes i am aware this is the technical discussion, but this is a techincal point since this project will alienate many many more than it will invite.

I cant respond for another week to what im sure will be lots of critisim of my point of view, so any comments I will reply to on the 15th. If this project is serioulsly released and maintained I will personaly seek to level the playing feild.

BTW: as always appolgies for spelling, I am sevearly dyslexic and I did bother to try and check but probs failed :) Okay, let's get a few things straight:


It is a marginal belief, and a poorly-supported one at that, that religion is harmful. In fact, multiple studies have shown that having spiritual beliefs/faith are beneficial to one's psychological and physical (!) well-being.
To believe that religion restricts people's free will is on the same order as believing Jesus could never have possibly waved aside Leviticus with little more than a "oh, those are the old rules." Historically (and common-sense wise), a person retains a religious belief only insofar as they like it. Well... I am an atheist.... and correct me if I'm wrong... but isn't the ubuntu based on an humanist principle? well... guess that it ain't that much of a christian distro as much as a humanist... but hey, if you want to atract more people with a Christbuntu by brainwahsing them, hey, you're welcome. Ubuntu is based off of a humanist principle, yes, but a traditionalist African one that preaches tolerance and acceptance, not "Religion is Teh Badz0rz!"

Both of these are off-topic and really should be deleted. If the respective authors are willing to take their complaints elsewhere, I'll let them stand. This was split off from the original for good reason.

[lxevolution]

Lol. I clearly do not understand why should one make differences in Ubuntu setups based on differences in religion. How about Ubuntu scientology edition? Make it proprietary, close the source, charge 400 dollars. per month.

[rattlerviper]

I'm not Christian...

But if a Christian edition of Ubuntu bothers you, seek mental help. I don't understand how it could possibly bother anyone. It's about freedom folks. If it bugs you come out with a edition for your religion or lack there of, the only thing stopping you is laziness. Seriously I don't understand how this could bug anyone. It's not like we are talking about Ubuntu the KKK edition.

[Iandefor]

Lol. I clearly do not understand why should one make differences in Ubuntu setups based on differences in religion. How about Ubuntu scientology edition? Make it proprietary, close the source, charge 400 dollars. per month. Bible-study software jumps to mind and content-filtering is in the works for the next release. There are just random little bits and bobs of software that are useful to churches/Christians. Without any rancor intended towards Mhancoc7, it's a shameless plug to get Christians using Ubuntu by including lots of good, Christian software by default :).

In comparison, an "Ubuntu Islam Edition" would include stuff like the itools package (a set of tools to convert between the Modern Gregorian Calendar and the calendar used to mark holidays in Islam, calculate the bearing of Mecca from a given location, and more things that escape my mind and I can't check on because I'm using Fedora atm:)), arabic fonts and input methods, etc.

[SpinesN]

So long as a christian edition does not outcast any other religious edition I think it's fine. As others have said it's about choice and while I and many more may not chose it some might so props to them.

[CaptainTux]

Lyriucue is the only one I am aware of, but there may be others. What about using kino or cinerella?

Here are some more links.

http://matheteuo.org/portal_05.php

correction.

http://www.opensong.org/

open song will soon have a linux version. FLOSS Linux version to be more precise.

[forrestcupp]

correction.

http://www.opensong.org/

open song will soon have a linux version. FLOSS Linux version to be more precise.

I checked out opensong. It and Lyricue both look great, but neither support playing video or multimedia. So here is my question. There is a certain computer in my church that we use to display lyrics, record messages, etc. I would really like to switch it to Ubuntu, but the Windows software I use now for lyrics will also show videos on the projector using the 2nd monitor. I sometimes make short videos to illustrate teachings. So if there is no lyric display alternative for linux that can do this, is there another way to display videos on a 2nd monitor? If so, this may be another thing that should be in Ubuntu Christian Edition.

[CaptainTux]

I checked out opensong. It and Lyricue both look great, but neither support playing video or multimedia. So here is my question. There is a certain computer in my church that we use to display lyrics, record messages, etc. I would really like to switch it to Ubuntu, but the Windows software I use now for lyrics will also show videos on the projector using the 2nd monitor. I sometimes make short videos to illustrate teachings. So if there is no lyric display alternative for linux that can do this, is there another way to display videos on a 2nd monitor? If so, this may be another thing that should be in Ubuntu Christian Edition.

Hm. Are these short videos live action videos? Or are the lyics layed over a moving image? What is it exactly that is displayed, I think I have an alternative for you to check out. Does it matter if it is FLOSS or proprietary,but works on Linux?

[bobbybobington]

costoa, redcard is right about this thread being a technical discussion. While reporting redcards comments as offensive, you should try to be careful of your comments yourself. As this is a technical discussion please be considerate enough to express your opinions about religion in another area.

Personally i can see your point about forking though... But as long as the derivative (be it christian, muslim, jewish, buddist, or any group) stays relatively close to the main project -maybe just some extra software and themes or whatnot- i think it can help reach out to people that may not know about ubuntu through something that they are involved in.

I can not say this enough, but people need to be careful of others beliefs and feelings on these forums. Sometimes it may not be easy but always try and see things from others point of view, and if you need to express your opinions and feelings about an issue please do it in an appropriate way.:)

[white_tiger_daniel]

I ablsolutely love this idea, being a christian myself. I am willing to help out wiht ideas and research, but I am not really a developer sort of person. Do you need a slogan? Maybe something from the bible?

This is an EXCELLENT idea.

Daniel

[RAV TUX]

Hi all,
I am working on what has been a dream of mine for quite a while. It is a customized Ubuntu LiveCD that is geared towards Christians. The intent is not to seperate Christians from the Ubuntu community. In fact the idea is to bring them into the Ubuntu community. The first release will be a very simple customization of Dapper. Basically added GnomeSword Bible program and made some simple graphical changes. The default Ubuntu setup is still the same. I also had to remove a few packages to keep the .iso size below 700mb. I plan to add more Christian software and make some additional changes, without changing the basics of Ubuntu. I am currently only working with the i386 Ubuntu. Hopefully I will be able to work on the other Ubuntu releases as well.

The next step is to find a server to host the .iso. My server simply does not have the capacity. I am humbly asking for someone who is interested in this project to donate some server space for the .iso. If anyone is interested please PM me.

Also if anyone is interested in helping with the development of this project or has suggestions please let me know. I am very excited about this project and would love to get feedback from this wonderful community.

God Bless, Jereme

Question: Have you registered your Edition with Distrowatch yet?

[forrestcupp]

Hm. Are these short videos live action videos? Or are the lyics layed over a moving image? What is it exactly that is displayed, I think I have an alternative for you to check out. Does it matter if it is FLOSS or proprietary,but works on Linux?

I'm not really interested in having lyrics displayed on moving background, although that would be a nice feature. Lyrics on a still background does me just fine. The videos I want to play are separate skit type live action videos (avi,mpg, ...), but I need it to play on the 2nd monitor which is what goes to my projector. I don't know if it is possible to do this with Totem or something.

I don't care if it is FLOSS or proprietary as long as it isn't real expensive.

[Iandefor]

I'm sorry but I really need to voice my opinion about this:

- A distro fork just doesn't make sense. A much easier way is to package whatever apps, artwork, reference material, etc, that are needed for your project and let users add them as desired.
- The forked version is much more susceptible to the introduction of security flaws like "man in middle" attacks and compromised public keys. Many christians would justify "rooting" another's machine if it meant "saving" them from porn and sites (i.e.: by using privoxy to block) that do not agree with the rooter's christian point of view.
- Many christians use their religion as a tool of oppression and to financially enrich themselves.
- In many parts of the world christians and christianity are seen as a virus who's main goal is to replace the indigenous nonchristian religion by whatever means available like the "baseball baptisms" ("Want to play baseball with us? You need to be baptized first") in South America.
- There is no god or gods. There isn't. There has never, ever been one shred of proof of any deity. Most likely the idea of "jesus" is also a myth and no such person ever lived. They're myths that have gone horribly, horribly wrong that at times have promoted zealots and the mentally unbalanced into positions of power. Just look at President Bush and US Senator Santorum (R-PA).
- A forked version is much more likely to confuse some people into thinking that Ubuntu "prefers" christianity over other religions.
- A christian fork is the quickest way to get any version Ubuntu banned in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries. One fatwa, the ban is a done deal and we all lose.

IMO do what you want but please consider building your distro off the Debian base instead of using the fine work of the Ubuntu team and the fine "Ubuntu Linux" name to promote your myths. I truly do not mean to offend you. I truly don't. I believe in religious freedom and the right to be free from religion for all people.

Maybe many of the comments made in this thread should serve as a warning that using the Ubuntu name to promote any religion will drive a wedge into an otherwise solid community.

This whole thread seems like it might belong in the Backyard. Some would say your posting is a thinly veiled attempt to proselytize due to the lack of any meaningful technical questions.

costoa
(Donning fireproof suit ...) You know, just about all of your concerns have been addressed, except for the ones that stereotype Christians and make unfounded claims.

- There is no god or gods. There isn't. There has never, ever been one shred of proof of any deity. Most likely the idea of "jesus" is also a myth and no such person ever lived. They're myths that have gone horribly, horribly wrong that at times have promoted zealots and the mentally unbalanced into positions of power. Just look at President Bush and US Senator Santorum (R-PA). 95% of all of humanity would beg to disagree that there is no God. Just because you don't believe doesn't make it so, and to declare, once and for all, that there is no God, is so fantastically arrogant it's beyond belief. After all, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Just because we haven't found "Made By God" on the dark side of the Moon doesn't mean He doesn't exist. Also, your stereotyping of Christians as exclusive and petty is pretty sad, since there's no actual evidence that Christianity, on the whole, is like that.
- The forked version is much more susceptible to the introduction of security flaws like "man in middle" attacks and compromised public keys. Many christians would justify "rooting" another's machine if it meant "saving" them from porn and sites (i.e.: by using privoxy to block) that do not agree with the rooter's christian point of view. You know, if Christians really were, on the whole, so petty as this, the world would have imploded by now. Anywho, the majority of the users attracted by Ubuntu Christian Edition would be click-monkeys. How would they know what tools to install to bork other people's computers?
Get LOST. The admins have told you trollers to get out. The thread originator has told you to. NOW, I'm telling you too. Seriously, mods, can we start to get some bans and suspensions here?Redcard's right. We didn't split this thread in two just so you could go trolling.
Your post has been reported as harassing and it is most offensive I have ever read on ubuntuforums.org. Your comments are in juxtaposition to the Ubuntu philosophy. This site has been a great resource and a friendly place up to now.

Amazing, just amazing. Get out of this thread. This is NOT the place to discuss this. We (staff) had made another thread for the express purpose of discussing this. Even though it's locked, the Backyard's open. Make a new thread, don't troll and spam in the thread discussing the technical implementation.

[mhancoc7]

Question: Have you registered your Edition with Distrowatch yet?

No, I have been so busy I haven't got to it yet. I do plan to submit it to them however.
Thanks, Jereme

[RAV TUX]

No, I have been so busy I haven't got to it yet. I do plan to submit it to them however.
Thanks, Jereme

They have a 90 day waiting period so you may want to put your submission in sooner rather then later...

[KiwiNZ]

This thread is for Technical related issues concerning the Ubuntu Christian edition .Please leave other posts out of this .

Thankyou

[mhancoc7]

They have a 90 day waiting period so you may want to put your submission in sooner rather then later...

Thanks, I did not know that.
Jereme

[CaptainTux]

I'm not really interested in having lyrics displayed on moving background, although that would be a nice feature. Lyrics on a still background does me just fine. The videos I want to play are separate skit type live action videos (avi,mpg, ...), but I need it to play on the 2nd monitor which is what goes to my projector. I don't know if it is possible to do this with Totem or something.

I don't care if it is FLOSS or proprietary as long as it isn't real expensive.

Well, I do not know if it would work on a second monitor...and it is not very cheap, but MainActor runs on Linux and is very robust. It is also $200 :(

I tried it once on a 30 day free trail and it was great!

In other words, I got nothing for ya. I am sorry. If you do find a solution, let me know, I always like to have solutions for problems.

[forrestcupp]

Well, I do not know if it would work on a second monitor...and it is not very cheap, but MainActor runs on Linux and is very robust. It is also $200 :(

I tried it once on a 30 day free trail and it was great!

In other words, I got nothing for ya. I am sorry. If you do find a solution, let me know, I always like to have solutions for problems.

I appreciate your help. I don't really need something to edit videos. I use Cinelerra for that (it's FOSS). I just need something to display them on a 2nd monitor. Thanks anyway

[CaptainTux]

Actually, it had great playback capabilities. What do you use in Windows right now for 2nd monitor playback?

[forrestcupp]

Actually, it had great playback capabilities. What do you use in Windows right now for 2nd monitor playback?

I use Worship Him, which is software for on the fly lyric presentation. It also supports playing videos. I can also use Media Player or most other video players, and drag them to the 2nd monitor, and maximize. I just haven't messed with 2 monitor setups in Linux, because I don't have it available other than the computer at church. I don't really want to install Ubuntu without knowing it will work. Live cd isn't really an option because I don't have internet access at the church, and I know I would need the ATI drivers. As for MainActor, I don't really want to spend that kind of money just to use it for a media player.

[ctkroeker]

Why not just make a "meta-package"? You know like "kubuntu-desktop"... It just contains all the directions to download the files and install them.

[nalmeth]

Jereme, just saw your post.

So is that forum going to be where technical discussion will go on, rather than here?

This all seems to be a very sensitive issue for some folks. It may be a good way to sort things out

[mhancoc7]

Jereme, just saw your post.

So is that forum going to be where technical discussion will go on, rather than here?

This all seems to be a very sensitive issue for some folks. It may be a good way to sort things out

Yes it is. I will of course do my best to keep up with this thread.
Jereme

[audioboxer217]

I really like this idea. I actually read all 38 pages and congratulate you on your accomplishments. I feel like I found out about this a little late but I will be joining the forums on ChurchForge to watch the progression. Also, I feel that one of the major problems that many people have with this project should be addressed as well. There should be a Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, etc version of Ubuntu. However, as a Christian I am not sure what these versions would need, but someone who does know should definately get the ball rolling on those projects. They would have just as much of an impact on the Ubuntu project as a whole and would only help spread the news about Ubuntu.:razz:

[mhancoc7]

Ok, I have just finished up testing what will be Ubuntu Christian Edition v1.1. This will probably become the base Ubuntu CE. We can then get to work on the Companion CD(s). I am pretty excited about how this turned out.

What's New:

1. Added more GnomeSword modules including the only Catholic Bible available for GnomeSword.
2. Pre-installed and configured Dansguardian web content filtering with a custom GUI to change the filter settings.
3. Added an "About Ubuntu Christian Edition" info program to the Adminstration menu.
4. Removed Gimp, Gnome Games, and Ekiga. (see #5!)
5. Added Administration menu option to automatically install the programs that were removed from the default Ubuntu. Once completed all the programs that were removed are restored and the option is removed from the menu.
6. Changed the wallpaper. I found it on GnomeLook.org and I really like it. I added the tagline "Ubuntu Christian Edition" to it. It is not a Christian wallpaper, but it fits nicely with the theme and the "global" appeal is what I envisioned. I never wanted the wallpaper to be overly Christian. I just wanted the look to be nice and smooth with the subtle Christian elements.

Ok here are some screenshots.

Wallpaper:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/screenshots/version1.1/background.png

Administration Menu:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/screenshots/version1.1/menu.png

About Ubuntu Christian Edition:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/screenshots/version1.1/about.png

Parental Controls:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/screenshots/version1.1/parental_controls.png

Access Denied Page:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/screenshots/version1.1/blocked.png

I would love to hear what you all think.

God Bless, Jereme

[pneaveill]

Been busy. Kudos to the whole team!!

Any updates on the update script from ubuntu dapper to ubuntu-ce dapper?

[Papa-san]

I have a lot of unused server space and monthly bandwidth if someone can let me know the best way to go about it.

[pneaveill]

Why not just make a "meta-package"? You know like "kubuntu-desktop"... It just contains all the directions to download the files and install them.
Did not see if this has been answered within the last few days, but there are plans in process (as I am told) of scripts to switch from ubuntu to ubuntu-CE. Anything you would like to see on future updates?

[mhancoc7]

Been busy. Kudos to the whole team!!

Any updates on the update script from ubuntu dapper to ubuntu-ce dapper?

Thanks, I am very happy with what will be the next release.

Yes, when the next version is released, I will be releasing two additional scripts. One will be used to upgrade to the newest version and one will be used to convert to Ubuntu CE.

I have a lot of unused server space and monthly bandwidth if someone can let me know the best way to go about it.

Hi, thanks for your willingness to help out. If you would like to host the iso just let me know if you would prefer to download it and upload it to your server or if you want to set up an ftp account for me to upoad it to your server. Either way is fine with me. Also if you decide to host the iso let me know what name you want to be used for the Team Members roster.

Thanks, Jereme

[mhancoc7]

You can check the post out here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1377641#post1377641

God Bless, Jereme

[gnomeuser]

Yes, I know and I expected someone to feel this way. In my opinion there are many Christians who simply do not realize that there are Christian Linux programs. I feel like having a real Christian Linux distro available will only bring more users to Linux and to Ubuntu. That is just my opinion though.

God Bless, Jereme

Programs are agnostic, a program can however be geared towards a specific audience, in this case christians.

That being said I have two comments:

1) You don't see me ending my posts with "I'll think for you, GNOMEuser" so please leave the religion at the door this is a forum for everyone not just christians, some of us are offended by having our lives invaded by your faith when we elect not to have any. Out of respect for people here I don't put mentions of my stance in terms of religion in my signature I politely ask you to show the same level of respect. This is not the venue for such things.

2) Are you telling me the notion for this project is that christians are to dumb to install software? (meant tongue in cheek - the issue is information not access as I see it, you want to show off cool software for the faithful which is all cool)

Not that I'm implying you people as a general rule are stupid but would the effort not be better spend say writing a guide or a script rather than splintering off people of faith from the otherwise welcoming Ubuntu community. In much the same way we handle things with Automatix or how about a review list of software that is geared towards your audience. That's all about choice and any flaws you find in the software could be pointed out for fixing by the relevant developers.

I'm somewhat afraid you'll be taking on quite a major task that will burn you out, ha