On Wed, Oct 20, 2010 at 7:59 PM, Sharad Birmiwal <[email protected]> wrote: > Inline comments. > >> Last I checked, this thread was "AICTE signing agreement to make students >> slaves >> of Auto Desk, Microsoft". Not about comparison between proprietary software >> and >> software. Or whether some FLOSS alternative for a particular software exists. > > Finally a reasonable post (thanks Triveni). > > "but don't >> expect the educational institutes to make a software choice based on your >> prejudice for a piece of proprietary software." > > I think that is a very important point that has been said. > > >> According to ET: Autodesk and Microsoft have become partner to deliver free >> access to development software and design software for institutions, students >> and faculty in the country. >> >> The issues being discussed here are: > > >> >> In my opinion, answer to these questions are: >> a. Are students going to learn about software development/design software? >> => No. > > We cannot say that yet because we don't know what is in the package. > If one of them make available a software development platform (which > is likely) then my answer would change to yes. For those who don't > know this yet, Microsoft is not Windows. Now, the "programming > practices" that are inculcated may or may not be to my liking but that > doesn't mean the answer in such a case would be no.
Please go to these links Autodesk Page at AICTE: http://www.aicte-india.org/bfreedownloadsadesk.html Microsoft Page at AICTE: http://www.aicte-india.org/bfreedownloadsms.html I think students are only going to learn about these proprietary software. > >> Are students going to learn about only the proprietary packages of >> the companies? >> => Yes. > > Of course yes! But I think this question does not serve much purpose. > For example, if somebody is taught a FOSS application/package, is the > person going to learn about only the FOSS application/package? I think > the answer to that will be yes too. Mind you, the emphasis here was on > "package" and not practice/idea/ideology. Are we saying that we advocate teaching of FOSS packages? We are advocating freedom. It is about choice. Teach about spreadsheet application and let there be a choice between OpenOffice Calc, MS Excel, KSpread, Lotus Symphony or any other software. Teach database and let there be a choice between PostgreSQL, MySQL, Sql Server etc. Teach CAD and let there be a choice between Blender, MAYA etc. > >> b. Do the students have any freedom to make changes to these packages if they >> wish they want a better program to use? >> => No. > > I agree the answer would most likely be no. But that is not the > intended purpose. I guess this may be reason enough to show dissent. > >> c. Are the students going to be dependent on these proprietary packages and >> become handicapped in their future career by only learning about these >> packages and no idea of any alternatives possible? >> => Yes. > > Let me again pose an alternate question. If students are made to use > FOSS packages, will they be handicapped in their future career by only > learning about those packages and no idea of any proprietary > alternates? > > IMHO, the answer is yes again. > >> d. Do these companies gain unfair advantage in the market by these practices? >> => Yes. > > Yes! > >> e. Whether Autodesk and MS are being forced down the throat of the students >> (or future market)? >> => Yes. > > I don't think this is true. The deal is to make available these tools > for free. That means that most students don't have to worry about > buying expensive softwares. It depends on the policies and > school/college/university curriculum on whether they require certain > software for learning or they wish to impart "ideas" in education. > > IMHO, FOSS can not be made popular by forcing it down the throats of students. Do the students have any choice about which software they can use? What if a student does a project on Blender?Is the project going to be rejected by the authorities because of a. incompatibility of file formats with Autodesk b. project created on a software not recommended by AICTE. c. faculty being unaware of FOSS alternatives. > > What this thread has mostly reflected except probably a couple of > rational posts is idle bashing instead of constructive criticism. I > invite and encourage thoughts on the discussion at hand. > > > SB > > -- > l...@iitd - http://tinyurl.com/ycueutm > -- Regards, Tirveni Yadav What is this Universe ? From what it arises ? Into what does it go? In freedom it arises, In freedom it rests and into freedom it melts away. Upanishads. -- l...@iitd - http://tinyurl.com/ycueutm
