Its a good strategy to at least start learning about Linux and open source software. Coming through Dallas airport there was a big sign with Windows, Unix, Linux on it. 2 years ago that sign would have said Windows and possibly Unix but not Linux. The world is a changing place and the momentum behind Open Source software is growing. Books like Clayton Christensen's "Seeing What is Next" published 2004 by Harvard Business School is essential reading for anyone who wants to gain insight into where technology innovation is likely to end up. Its not specifically about Linux and Windows but the patterns and process of change drawn on from case studies of dominant players in other industries are striking. Our kids are certainly going to come out to a very different technological world than it is now so I think "teaching MS" is a real mistake. Ok, we might need to teach using MS products but we definitely should be teaching about concepts and issues such as information standards and who controls them rather than creating an illusion that all they need do is learn MS Word and the world is their oyster. If we are honest, this approach is often because its easier for bureaucrats and teachers than it is because its good education.
Fundamentally, schools should now be investing in updating their own skills and knowledge in preparation for the changes that they will have no control over. This is not easy, if it was, everyone would have done it already but these are global issues and the Christensen's theories show that it is those who are not currently even users of IT that will determine the future just as teenagers who did not own radios helped shape the transition from valve to transistors. Those that did not currently own motorcycles were responsible for the shift from Harley Davidson to Honda. With China, India and most of Latin America shunning MS the long term writing is on the wall. Read Christensen's book and see why. Warning: Advert :-) We can support both MS and Linux installations. We can provide free web based electronic registration. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you think we can help. Advert /end --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 09:03:37 EST To: [email protected], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Fsfe-uk] Introduction ...and school networks I am an ICT coordinator in a school We use MS server 2000 and W2000, MS Office and also Open Office. We do not use RM and after discovering the cost in my first year in this job, of upgrading Viglen's Classlink software, I have tried to avoid relying on software which would tie us to a particular supplier. At the moment we use Sentinel's Rangersuite software to provide profiles, security etc. I can see that it is just a front end for active directory but it is straightforward and user friendly (and so are they) but it only supports MS operating systems. Last term we got a CD server that uses LINUX but our network manager (who left last November) was rather afraid of it, and decided it didn't work. It is still sitting there looking cute and doing nothing. We are looking for a new network manager and I would love to find someone who would be able to keep our existing system running but would be able to help us move away from our current reliance on MS the next time we upgrade. I think we have to teach the kids to use MS because of its prevalence but unless we teach other options in schools no one will ever be free of MS's stanglehold. It is not easy though to implement alternatives. It has been difficult to find technicians to look after our current system, the last one was just marking time until he could get back into industry. Where would I look for someone with open source expertise? Someone who could see beyond MS? I would very much like to move towards using more open source software, but I need help. Where do I find it? Margaret Derrington PS We also have a wireless Bromcom network for registrations. <shame> It was put in very fast with money that was available only for that purpose (!?) and I knew nothing about it or what it cost (!!!!!) until afterwards. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In a message dated 11/02/2005 19:16:48 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'm sending this from the Linux Desktop Summit in San Diego. Its raining outside just to reduce the envy factor ;-). This is a really up beat environment and I have had great interest in the INGOT project from educators here. If this conference is anything to go by, things are moving on at a great pace and the concept of RM being the safe option looks shakier by the minute. Tie in to expensive non-open systems is a big risk and more and more people are beginning to realise it. -- Ian --- linuxgirlie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: linuxgirlie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 20:52:27 +0000 To: Robin Green <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Fsfe-uk] Introduction On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 20:37:51 +0000, Robin Green <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Looks like a godsend - everything pretty much preconfigured, right? > Good stuff! Thats correct and the whole point :) it means anyone can come along and install and run it, not for your linux guru type though, but just right for schools :) > Good to see that other schools are taking it up also. When you talk to > people (from other schools or from Ofsted or whoever) who have concerns > about switching from the "nice safe RM option", what are the main > worries for them do you think? I personally think its support, but other reasons like everyone else is doing RM if I move will I look like a fool? We had several schools at the moment that won't be named on the site because of this reason, so they are waiting a few months before they "arrive". > I know that support contracts can be an issue, so I looked on the > karoshi.org.uk - you have a lot of free and for-fee support options, > which is great, but I wonder if people might fear that it is a bit > "amateurish" compared to RM? For example, there is one guy specifically > offering to go on call-outs - but only in West Yorkshire! Yeah, it does come across as "amateurish", I agree with that!! I have tried to and still am putting together a large amount of help documents, hopefully this will sway the brave but the rest would have to wait till we are ready to provide full support, but that means I give up my job ;) > The thing is, of course, any reasonably experienced and competent Linux > professional could probably get their head round Karoshi pretty quickly > in order to provide technical support for it, I would think. But just > saying that, isn't necessarily good enough. It might be worth providing > a directory - or to a link to a directory somewhere else - of people who > could help with general Linux emergencies, and people who could provide > support contracts for peace-of-mind. I dunno, just an idea. I was think of this, I will have to get a list of names and email them to see if they will support us, though it is basic schools are very very demanding when it comes to support, and I suspect that this scares most support people off them!! > Another possibility might be, maybe once more schools have started using it, > to start up a company and provide all-in-one installation and support contracts, > for any school in the UK that wants it, for a fraction of the price of the RM > alternative. I haven't really thought about the financial viability of that > - I guess you'd have to get quite a few schools to sign on to that. Thats my final plan!! Though the project is FLOSS I would like to start my own support company for it which is an all-in-one but alot cheaper than RM. The problem is its a catch 22 situation. Basically I am on Â22,000 a year and though we can survive on my partners wage only (he earns more than me) its still a risk, and to keep up with what we have for example, we would have to make at least the above mark....the good thing I suppose is that if it did go wrong I could quite easily get a job in education again :) I think timing is right, but I also think I need more market research before I start something like that as I need to know that these people will sign up if I go ahead with support...lol > That's great - it's good that we've got people like you "on the inside" > in education, spreading these ideas! :) I''m doing my best, its hard work...lol Jo -- Spread FireFox: http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=user/register&r=32751 Get FireFox: http://www.getfirefox.com OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org Mandrake: http://www.mandrakelinux.com Karoshi: http://www.karoshi.org.uk _______________________________________________ Fsfe-uk mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk _______________________________________________ Fsfe-uk mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk _______________________________________________ Fsfe-uk mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk
