hi Derek (et al) i agree with a lot of what Derek says, there was little in the way of Open Source / Linux at BETT, but to add a couple of points:- 1. That much of the learning environment stuff is now web-based and Intel's new Skool solution, developed with Pearson's is entirely web-based (and therefore platform independent). It's flexible enough to be hosted anywhere, school/LEA/ISP. 2. There were a number of Linux-based Internet Appliances, incl the Netpilot (Centerprise/Time) and Inty (Viglen), however general a bit thin on the ground, thinner than previous years. i'd be interested in the process of developing SIMS, Capita's have considered going web-based but are concerned about the user-interface from a browser given the amount of upload required, they even said that it's gone downhill since DOS ! Malcolm ------------------------------- Dr Malcolm Herbert Head of Technology R&D, Becta 02476 847126 Mob: 07801 612438 -------------------------------
-----Original Message----- From: suse-linux-uk-schools-return-1247-malc=ngfl.gov.uk@ns2.SuSE.com [mailto:suse-linux-uk-schools-return-1247-malc=ngfl.gov.uk@ns2.SuSE.com] On Behalf Of Derek Harding Sent: 15 January 2001 08:26 To: SuSe-Linux-UK-Schools Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] BETT comments
Hi, What did I think of BETT?
The only open-source was SuSE (thanks Roger) and TurboLinux that I found although I understand I might have missed a stand. Texas Instruments are looking actively at producing a version of their TIinteractive for Linux and IBM via-voice is available in Ameringlish and in the US. They were good enough to share a corner with SuSE so I suppose we can say they support the concept! So where was Applix even if it does only seem to spell in Ameriglish; the only Corel Office was for 'doze, virtually nothing was web-based and many stands said, "the government don't specify it and none of the schools are asking for it."
So, how about making a point of enquiring loudly if the stands are supporting open-source (they often haven't got a clue!) when some piece of useful software catches your eye? Becta was encouraging in their support for multi-platform approaches but Capita (SIMS/EMS) 1) didn't know what I was talking about and then 2) when someone did they don't expect to make any changes.
I want to develop an entirely open-source learning environment to demonstrate to the school that we can lose MS products for a great deal of the curriculum, particularly business studies and CDT - any suggestions of good software and, especially, any replacements for SIMS which have at least as much functionality?
-- Best wishes, Derek Harding, (BA MIAP) ICT & Network Manager hardingd@warlingham.surrey.sch.uk