"Total instructional computers district wide are 10,804, but only 8,721
are on the network for internet and email access. Only 4,653 of those
are newer computers (less than 5 years old).57% of all computers are
older than 5 years. Our goal is to have the majority of computers in
schools be less than 3 years old.
Our district ratio of computers to students is 1 to 5 if we count all
networked computers, but 1 to 10 if we count only newer computers.
Considering that low-end Pentiums (to say nothing of upgraded 80486
systems) are perfectly adequate for surfing the Net and doing word
processing, spreadsheets, etc., why is there a perceived need to
replace computers in place with the "latest and greatest"? Considering
the prices charged by the major manufacturers (Dell, Gateway, Compaq/HP)
I can't help thinking the MPS would be better off spending money - and
perhaps some students' clasroom time - refurbishing older systems to
run on Linux, which would in addition save licensing costs - and those
are not a trivial expense for a system runnung over 10,000 computers.
Kevin Trainor
6-10, East Phillips
