-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi Mahlah I hope to be of some help here, and I just wanted to make sure we are really in tune with what using Linux in schools is and will be (the present and future success stories) -- vs -- what it is NOT (i.e. what works poorly, if at all)
1/ First, the way I see it is this: a/ One person or a small team of qualified system administrators would look after fixing, installing and keeping the systems (Linux) and networks up and running. This would not be to be cliquey, but for practical reasons and to keep order about it all. b/ This could be done by (for example) setting up a fairly good server and some thin client workstations. c/ Teachers and staff rarely have the time to become Linux guru's, nor should they need to. Training would be more likely focusing on the user. - -- i.e. How do I use the programs or keep track of students and etc. d/ Many aspects of the educational needs would have to taken into account with the implementation of how these ed computer programs are launched. e/ Sane Back UP of data, (etc. i.e. student marks) is handled. Again, system design and system admin. 2/ Your mileage may very, but studying the successful Linux-school projects I hope will show that careful planning lent to their success and acceptance. 3/ Will any others chime in with helpful suggestions here ? Hope this helps and does not annoy. Mel Walters On Monday 22 September 2003 03:00 pm, Mahlah Hansen wrote: > On September 22, 2003 02:50 pm, you wrote: > > This is an excellent idea. The schools are always talking to Microsoft but, > > the schools are always crying about cash. The ROI for them with Linux would > > be a huge annual savings even with their educational discounts. > > I think a fair argument for this would be how much would it cost them to train > their staff to use it? sometimes the cost of training is far greater then the > cost of the licenses. They would have to know they would be guaranteed free > or low cost consulting until their staff are completely trained and > comfortable with the system. Offering help through certain mailing lists etc > would not be enough support for them to start at least. I just couldn't > imagine they would have the time in the day to be searching the internet on > how to fix their system if something breaks. You also have to realize some > people don't know how to use search engines efficiently, and they might not > even know what they are suppose to be looking for. Putting together some > sort of 6 month to 1 year support group for the school may be helpful, at > least this way one person wouldn't have to be on call 24/7.. > > just a thought.. > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux) iD8DBQE/b4sn6XHX5x4iufMRAi2rAJ9+C0cOlCyXJzx3vbKgtqwqFZqgYQCgkz1K iw2lFNjIBBZTnAdwPFRUxr8= =sCu3 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
