Doug, This is a pretty grim view of things with respect to public schools. I know a few teachers here in Worcester who would disagree with most of your comments. However I do agree with some of what you have to say. Schools and the school system are often slow to adopt new technologies and the beaurocracy that its central administration here in Worcester would be a tough challenge. With that said I have spoken with a few teachers and administrators who are very unhappy with the state of the network in there schools. Systems crashing, software not useful because of unstable systems, and I have found that frustration is often a big motivator for change! Not to mention a few other things a that are happening right now that may help tip the scales in favor of Linux. (Ok I'll mention a few ;) Shrinking school budgets EOL of NT (Most schools still use NT at there core and in most labs) XP is too expensive and requires network wide upgrades not to mention the new licence scheme. Linux desktop has significantly improved to the point that a well configured desktop could be used by a "brain-dead" person. KDE.edu etc ... ... ... On Sat, 2003-08-02 at 08:26, Doug Chamberlin wrote:
At 8/1/2003 10:09 PM (Friday), Matt Higgins wrote:
New to the list, and wanted to know what you all thought. I'm looking to put together a bill that will require state gov to consider OSS when sending out RFP's. The bill would mirror those being proposed/stalled in other states such as Washington and Texas. I have been in contact with state Rep Robert Spellane who is positive about the subject. I believe he would be more responsive if the WLUG were also supporting this.
An admirable goal. Hard work but there seems to be some movement (as you have noticed).
Further more I think It would be interesting to get involved with public schools in Worcester to promote the use of Linux. I put up a small page on my web site to address this topic, which I have called SLIPS (Supporting Linux In Public Schools). (btw.. I think the next LUG topic should include LTSP! I have this working in a vmware window using just one comp)
Also an admirable goal. However, this one presents an even larger challenge.
Looking at it realistically, school system educators (teachers as well as administrators) are the most stubborn, least innovative group I have ever encountered. There are exceptions in each school but to achieve adoption of anything which is not brain-dead simple to use is an impossibility. Linux is far from brain-dead simple to use. Better to concentrate on promoting business usage and then let the school systems lag behind as they always have - unless you are a glutton for punishment.
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