Wimba

Need I say more.  I am a CIS student and I/we have been using Linux exclusively.  It would be nice if we could use pronto.  Even if it is just the IM client, and all the bells and whistles were left out. 

I would think that modifying the OS X code would be a step in the right direction?

Are there any other Linux users out there that feel the same way?

I support this idea.  This would open Pronto up to many more users.

I agree. It seems like it wouldn’t be too difficult to port it over from the OS X version. It seems like there is an increasing interest in Linux on my campus.

While we’re on the subject how long until there is an iPhone app? I think there would be a lot of interest in that.

I agree.  While my online university uses Pronto for IM and for our virtual office hours, I have chosen to use the built-in java applet in Blackboard instead for my own students.  I use Linux almost exclusively (about 99% of the time), and I hate having to be near a windows or mac box in order to interact with my students. I edit and peruse my course using FF on my Linux boxes.  I SHOULD be able to be logged into Pronto while I’m working in Blackboard in case any students are online, and want to ask me questions.  I can’t do this however, and I’m frustrated enough that instead of finding a mac or or windows box to use, I just refuse to use Pronto until they port it to Linux.  It’s way too inconvenient for me to use otherwise.  Besides, with the increase in popularity of netbooks with Linux on them, and with more students using netbooks for online courses, this is a no-brainer already.  Didn’t they hear about the student at Madison Area Technical College?  http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9667184&nav=menu1362_8_6

Linux OS will grow in popularity as netbooks get adopted by faculty, students, and college computer labs for cost reasons, etc.

Does this Topic interest anyone at Wimba?  Can we expect to see a Linux version sometime in the near future?

Yes, lets get some Linux compatibility going with Wimba.  I like using Wimba and my University gives me a windows box, but I like to use Linux from home.  I also think that the philosophy behind Open Source Software is so compatible with principles of academic openness that Universities ought to be adopting it for that reason alone.

I’ve been able to get pronto to work with WINE for linux. It works just like it’s on windows! You should try it out.

(I’m not taking any classes right now so they arent appearing.)

Which version of Pronto and wine do you use?

When i try installing Pronto 3.1.0 in wine 1.2 rc7 the installation seems to finish okay, but when i start Pronto it crashes.

This message is given before crashing:
vidcap: info: [[ monitoring system for device events… ]]
using vidcap sapi DirectShow video capture API (DirectShow)
vidcap: warning: failed GetDisplayName
vidcap: warning: failed GetDisplayName
CrashHandler’s filter callback allowing minidump
wine: Unhandled page fault on read access to 0x00000053 at address 0x482235 (thread 000c), starting debugger…
Unhandled exception: page fault on read access to 0x00000053 in 32-bit code (0x00482235).
Register dump:
...etc…

Yep, I get an error identical to Klap-in’s.  Has anyone got a fix for this?  Or at least make a plug-in for Pidgin or Empathy so I can get basic chat functionality.  I mean, the Pronto server software is just Jabber anyway.