If anyone on this list lives near Salisbury in the UK, they may be interested in a meeting on 12th March to discuss Open Source software in UK schools, organised by UKUUG. I will be giving a presentation on a proposal for an association of Linux vendors to UK schools. The aim of such an association would be primarily to raise awareness of the existence, capabilities and usage of Linux in the education sector. A key benefit would be the creation of a recognised "brand name" for Linux/Education that would be cross-supplier. (I'm planning on proposing "Open Source In Education" with a logo of Tux with chalk and a blackboard). All are welcome to attend, and please feel free to invite others who may be interested. [Background: Fen Systems Ltd. is a new company providing Linux-based, thin-client systems to schools. See http://www.fensystems.co.uk/ if you want to know more.] In the weeks leading up to this event, I hope to produce Mandrake RPMs for several education-specific packages, such as ucblogo, duck, lilypond, kvoclearn and so on. It would be good to see some Mandrake people there - SuSE and RedHat (and probably TurboLinux) will all be represented. Details are below. Michael Brown Fen Systems Ltd. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Open Source in Schools -- Meeting 12-03-2001 ============================================ A meeting has been arranged on Monday 12th March at: Westwood St Thomas School Westwood Road Salisbury Wilts SP2 9HS to discuss the use of Open Source software in schools. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Very many thanks to Paul Taylor of Westwood St Thomas for his offer of this venue. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chris Dawkins of Felsted School has agreed to speak, as has Malcolm Herbert of Red Hat. It is hoped that other items of interest can be arranged. A proposal made by Michael Brown of Fen Systems for the formation of an Association for the promotion of Open Source software in education will be discussed. It is hoped that this can be combined with the recent discussion about a virtual schools' LUG and web site. A timetable for the day and detailed agenda will be posted shortly. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- for discussion: --------------- I am a Council member of UKUUG and have been charged with the task of setting up a schools committee: I hope that in this way the various initiatives which have been made (including the work done by Malcolm when he was at BECTA and SuSE's work with schools) can be brought together to improve their impact and avoid duplication of work. So that this work can have the support of the major Linux distributions and other commercial interests while remaining independent, I suggest that it be set up in association with UKUUG. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- All those with an interest in the use of Linux and Open Source in education are welcome to attend - please let me know if you are planning to be there. -- Roger Whittaker SuSE Linux Ltd The Kinetic Centre Theobald Street Borehamwood Herts WD6 4PJ ---------------------- 020 8387 1482 ---------------------- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------
