1. Linux servers/web servers 2. A teaching lab with up to 10 terminals 3. Open-source software on Windows boxes.
These options actually answer most of Hamish's concerns. Windows will still be available for particular applications, and for talking to devices that aren't well supported by Linux yet, and staff resistance would be avoided by easing them in gently.
The teaching lab can be set up with particular teaching applications in mind - image manipulation being an obvious candidate (you can buy that whizz-bang server for the cost of 10 seats of Photoshop). A programme can be developed specifically for that lab, meaning that staff don't have to become Linux experts overnight. It is a controlled environment, so it will work with known digital cameras and scanners. As staff gain confidence with it, they may start to see the merits of OSS in general. It isn't a big leap then to run the same OSS on their Windows machines, at home and at school.
There does remain the issue of staff resistance to learning a new tool at all (the GIMP in this example), and this comes down to the board/principal doing a good sales pitch. If the staff can see how good it will be for the school and the students, then they can probably be convinced to back it. If it's a question of a GIMP-based lab or no lab at all, they should buy in.
Douglas.
Hamish McBrearty wrote:
Hmm, I think maybe it's time I weighed in here.
Licensing costs for schools is a huge issue, but unfortunately threre are other issues which are also have to be taken into account.
1. Edcuational software. You wouldn't believe what's out there being used these days. This afternoon I'm installing an application that was designed for Win95. Why the teacher wants this app, I don't know but that's what she's planning to use and teach. Unfortunately it's not just Office and IE that keep us tied to Microsoft.
2. Retraining. I have enough trouble with staff here who use XP at home and can't figure their way around Win2K that we use. I can't even imagine what would happen if they were presented with KDE.
3. Hardware. Digital cameras, scanners, DV cameras, minidisc players,
webcams, all with different brands, models and drivers.
I asked why they had the old version - "licensing costs, we use
photoshop for the serious photography classes, but that costs an arm and
a leg"
$800 a seat, and Adobe don't do educational discounts, I've had that scrap
I am going to send the guy a link to the gimp website, the gimp of
course being available for windows, and having no licensing issues.
Had that fight too, teacher basically told me that she'd learned Photoshop and had no reason to switch to another product and "start over".
Of course I'm coming from a different angle than most schools given as we are better off than the majority.
That being said, I'm planning a mass deception come next term break when I
change the shortcut to IE to point to Firefox with the IE skin and see who
notices. I've already done it to two family members computers and they
never noticed. Perhaps these kinds of baby steps are the way to go, ala
Munich
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