BECTA's spec on laptops for teachers is at
http://www.lft.ngfl.gov.uk/index.php?i=307
Isn't this unfair discrimination against FLOSS? They specify that MacOS
X 10.2 or later is acceptable so how come GNU/Linux isn't?
Why could a teacher not choose to have Suse Linux on a laptop instead of
Windows (Ok, it might be difficult to obtain a laptop without Windows
but its the principle that matters)
Also they say an office suite with WP, SS and presentation and that
shareware, freeware is unacceptable. Same for E-mail. Does this include
OpenSource? ie is OpenOffice.org not allowed? Seems particularly daft if
StarOffice is since its effectively the same software over the required
applications. Then there is mandatory anti-virus software.
Doesn't all this show that despite them not actually naming names they
are skewing the specification to block out FLOSS. This is against the
recent E-envoy's policy to provide equal consideration to FLOSS
solutions and it could be against fair trading law if it could be shown
that BECTA was effectively colluding with Microsoft to block competition
by reinforcing their monopoly.
As the Lead for education for the OpenOffice.org project I will not be
happy if BECTA's only grounds for discriminating against us is that we
produce Free software which would be the logical conclusion if they
allow StarOffice.
--
ian