Just as a pointer, all the kit will be state of the art as expected for win nt or 2000, so rescuing ancient 486's won't be necessary. That's also why I was thinking of dual boot, so if it doesn't work, I can fall back.

If you have that sort of money, stick to Windows like a leach. It will be more expensive, it will break down more often, but at least when it does you can go home at 4.30 (or 3.30 on a Friday) and say "well, what do you expect, it's Windows, maybe I'll be going sometime next week, but could do it over the weekend at double time if you wish". But if you install a Linux solution instead, you'll save your school a lot of money and provide a much more efficient solution and it'll run for longer, but when there's a hardware fault it'll go down and because you put it in against recceived wisdom you'll have to sort it out, you'll be there all Friday evening without overtime when you could be at home, and if there's anything it doesn't do that your colleagues want it's your fault, whereas if the NT system can't do something then that's Bill's fault, not your problem, and anyway it probably can do it if you spend 4K pounds on gee-whiz software solutions inc. -- Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG 01371-820527 or 07798 636725 cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk

hi the advocacy element, of persuading the senior powers, that the Linux-based system will work better than the NT one is the most difficult part of implementing an Open Source / Linux solution. There are a number of papers you could use (from http://www.opensource.org and http://www.ose.org.uk from example). Technically speaking, Linux is far easier than it was (say even a year ago) to install and configure. Difficulties rightly arise when integrating Windows clients and other legacy apps, but at least you can do them. The other key issue is that you'll have to be accountable (as i think Chris Dawkins has mentioned), you can't blame Bill or a mailing list somewhere for system outage. I've never personally had a problem with that and the majority of the people on this list have some faith in their abilities, in a way doing it your way to provide the school what it needs is the key issue. Saving money is just an added benefit Malcolm ------------------------------- Dr Malcolm Herbert Head of Technology R&D, Becta 02476 847126 Mob: 07801 612438 -------------------------------

-----Original Message----- From: suse-linux-uk-schools-return-911-malc=ngfl.gov.uk@suse.com [mailto:suse-linux-uk-schools-return-911-malc=ngfl.gov.uk@suse.com]On Behalf Of The Royal Latin School Sent: 13 October 2000 15:45 To: Christopher Dawkins Cc: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] New system

Good point, well made. Thats actually a good description of my job actually....... ----- Original Message ----- From: Christopher Dawkins To: The Royal Latin School Cc: Sent: Friday, October 13, 2000 3:36 PM Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] New system

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Just as a pointer, all the kit will be state of the art as

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nt or 2000, so rescuing ancient 486's won't be necessary. That's also why I was thinking of dual boot, so if it doesn't work, I can fall back.

If you have that sort of money, stick to Windows like a leach. It will be more expensive, it will break down more often, but at least when it does you can go home at 4.30 (or 3.30 on a Friday) and say "well, what do you expect, it's Windows, maybe I'll be going sometime next week, but could do it over the weekend at double time if you wish". But if you install a Linux solution instead, you'll save your school a lot of money and provide a much more efficient solution and it'll run for longer, but when there's a hardware fault it'll go down and because you put it in against recceived wisdom you'll have to sort it out, you'll be there all Friday evening without overtime when you could be at home, and if there's anything it doesn't do that your colleagues want it's your fault, whereas if the NT system can't do something then that's Bill's fault, not your

expected for win problem, and

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anyway it probably can do it if you spend 4K pounds on gee-whiz software solutions inc.

-- Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG 01371-820527 or 07798 636725 cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk