RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift
Laptops for Teachers (see http://lft.ngfl.gov.uk/ ) does have as a minimum specification an office suite and a configured dial-up ISP. The more sensible of the LEAs/suppliers did specify OpenOffice or StarOffice as the suite, if only because schools can purchase MS cheaper than the OEM supplied price. None that I am aware of were sensible enough to buy them with no operating system or DRDOS or (god forbid...) Linux, even though the same situation would exist with the school purchasing of MS operating systems too. The problem in the end is that most or all purchases of these laptops (both under LfT and previous schemes) were done without the guidance of someone operating at the sharp end of school ICT, along with the lack of proper, skilled, education focused, IT support in primaries and indeed many secondaries. But hey, what would I know? I'm only a skilled and experienced IT professional who's been specialising in the education sector for nearly 3 long and painful years... :-} Cheers Chris -----Original Message----- From: Tim Pizey To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Sent: 8/15/02 1:14 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift Hi, A friend of mine has just recieved a HP laptop from Estelle. It is completely unconfigured, with a standard windows XP install. No teacher specific applications. No education specific ISP setup. No nothing. Surely we could do better in an afternoon. The machine was from Oxford LEA under a programme called 'Laptops for Schools'. I think something should be done. Any ideas? Apparently over 60 percent of teachers at the school have a laptop delivered at different times, but with no customisation at all, so they don't get used. I think this is awful. cheers tim pizey -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com
I did not complain that we were given 12 Free laptops. I don't care what they come like as they don't stay like it for more than 5 seconds after the come out of the box. They are not going to be able to cost effectively supply pre configured laptops that have the software mix that each school requires. Hence providing a basic off the shelf system. I consider this to be the most sensible idea. That way they can spend more money on providing decent hardware rather than software that a lot of people don;t want. Robin At 13:11 15/08/02 +0100, you wrote:
Laptops for Teachers (see http://lft.ngfl.gov.uk/ ) does have as a minimum specification an office suite and a configured dial-up ISP. The more sensible of the LEAs/suppliers did specify OpenOffice or StarOffice as the suite, if only because schools can purchase MS cheaper than the OEM supplied price. None that I am aware of were sensible enough to buy them with no operating system or DRDOS or (god forbid...) Linux, even though the same situation would exist with the school purchasing of MS operating systems too.
The problem in the end is that most or all purchases of these laptops (both under LfT and previous schemes) were done without the guidance of someone operating at the sharp end of school ICT, along with the lack of proper, skilled, education focused, IT support in primaries and indeed many secondaries.
But hey, what would I know? I'm only a skilled and experienced IT professional who's been specialising in the education sector for nearly 3 long and painful years... :-}
Cheers
Chris
-----Original Message----- From: Tim Pizey To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Sent: 8/15/02 1:14 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift
Hi,
A friend of mine has just recieved a HP laptop from Estelle.
It is completely unconfigured, with a standard windows XP install.
No teacher specific applications. No education specific ISP setup. No nothing.
Surely we could do better in an afternoon.
The machine was from Oxford LEA under a programme called 'Laptops for Schools'.
I think something should be done. Any ideas?
Apparently over 60 percent of teachers at the school have a laptop delivered at different times, but with no customisation at all, so they don't get used.
I think this is awful.
cheers tim pizey
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Not that free laptops are a bad thing - altough, in a school, running laptops that are not of similar specification is a pain when it comes to adding software - recloning, etc. Every member of staff at Applemore has a laptop, varying from Acer 210's (700mhz/64mb ram), Acer 525's (700mhz/128mb ram), and Compaq Evo N110's (1100mhz/128mb ram). Hampshire have announced they are supplying Dell laptops to arrive before September, Dell XP Pro machines with 256mb ram. I feel it would have been better to supply a choice of models to schools. Now we have to deal with a third supplier (Dell) as well as Acer & Compaq. However, a gift is a gift, and they will surely be well used ;-) I suppose the idea is to keep the cost down at the schools end of setting the machines up. == Kind Regards, Kyle Williamson - kyle.williamson@applemore.hants.sch.uk All email unrelated to Applemore College and/or the education sector should be directed to kyle.williamson@kammtech.co.uk PGP Signature: http://mson.org/pgp/ ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are private and intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, the E-mail and associated files have been transmitted to you in error: any copying, distribution or other use of the information contained in them is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this E-mail may be interpreted as a contractual or other legal commitment on the part of Applemore College unless confirmed by a communication signed by or on behalf of the Principal. If you are of the opinion that have received this email in error, please contact admin@applemore.hants.sch.uk ********************************************************************** - -----Original Message-----= From: Chris Puttick [mailto:chris@centralmanclc.com] Sent: 15 August 2002 13:12 To: 'Tim Pizey '; 'suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com ' Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift Laptops for Teachers (see http://lft.ngfl.gov.uk/ ) does have as a minimum specification an office suite and a configured dial-up ISP. The more sensible of the LEAs/suppliers did specify OpenOffice or StarOffice as the suite, if only because schools can purchase MS cheaper than the OEM supplied price. None that I am aware of were sensible enough to buy them with no operating system or DRDOS or (god forbid...) Linux, even though the same situation would exist with the school purchasing of MS operating systems too. The problem in the end is that most or all purchases of these laptops (both under LfT and previous schemes) were done without the guidance of someone operating at the sharp end of school ICT, along with the lack of proper, skilled, education focused, IT support in primaries and indeed many secondaries. But hey, what would I know? I'm only a skilled and experienced IT professional who's been specialising in the education sector for nearly 3 long and painful years... :-} Cheers Chris - -----Original Message----- From: Tim Pizey To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Sent: 8/15/02 1:14 PM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift Hi, A friend of mine has just recieved a HP laptop from Estelle. It is completely unconfigured, with a standard windows XP install. No teacher specific applications. No education specific ISP setup. No nothing. Surely we could do better in an afternoon. The machine was from Oxford LEA under a programme called 'Laptops for Schools'. I think something should be done. Any ideas? Apparently over 60 percent of teachers at the school have a laptop delivered at different times, but with no customisation at all, so they don't get used. I think this is awful. cheers tim pizey - -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com - -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGPfreeware 7.0.3 for non-commercial use http://www.pgp.com iQA/AwUBPVxH2BO0UZldngMZEQI5TACgh386ECvdx7AvyKQXXkjg3cduYosAoIg+ DYyXiw9XhdYSKhFcg2PcFDBs =REdT -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
On Friday 16 August 2002 01:31, Kyle Williamson wrote:
Not that free laptops are a bad thing - altough, in a school, running laptops that are not of similar specification is a pain when it comes to adding software - recloning, etc.
Every member of staff at Applemore has a laptop, varying from Acer 210's (700mhz/64mb ram), Acer 525's (700mhz/128mb ram), and Compaq Evo N110's (1100mhz/128mb ram). Hampshire have announced they are supplying Dell laptops to arrive before September, Dell XP Pro machines with 256mb ram.
I feel it would have been better to supply a choice of models to schools. Now we have to deal with a third supplier (Dell) as well as Acer & Compaq. However, a gift is a gift, and they will surely be well used ;-) I suppose the idea is to keep the cost down at the schools end of setting the machines up.
Its not a gift, its taxpayers money! Better to give the schools the money and just demand receipts to show they have spent it on laptops. The margins on laptops are small so bulk purchases are unlikely to make massive differences to the price, and the reduced flexibility and nanny state getting in the way are just not worth any savings - in fact looking at the prices charged by the approved laptop cartel I wouldn't be surprised if the "bulk purchase" actually cost more. Regards, -- Ian
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 - -----Original Message----- From: Ian Lynch [mailto:ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com] Sent: 16 August 2002 08:00 To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Appalled at primary teacher's gift On Friday 16 August 2002 01:31, Kyle Williamson wrote:
Not that free laptops are a bad thing - altough, in a school, running laptops that are not of similar specification is a pain when it comes to adding software - recloning, etc.
Every member of staff at Applemore has a laptop, varying from Acer 210's (700mhz/64mb ram), Acer 525's (700mhz/128mb ram), and Compaq Evo N110's (1100mhz/128mb ram). Hampshire have announced they are supplying Dell laptops to arrive before September, Dell XP Pro machines with 256mb ram.
I feel it would have been better to supply a choice of models to schools. Now we have to deal with a third supplier (Dell) as well as Acer & Compaq. However, a gift is a gift, and they will surely be well used ;-) I suppose the idea is to keep the cost down at the schools end of setting the machines up.
Its not a gift, its taxpayers money! Better to give the schools the money and just demand receipts to show they have spent it on laptops. The margins on laptops are small so bulk purchases are unlikely to make massive differences to the price, and the reduced flexibility and nanny state getting in the way are just not worth any savings - in fact looking at the prices charged by the approved laptop cartel I wouldn't be surprised if the "bulk purchase" actually cost more. Probablay very true. <snip> == Kind Regards, Kyle Williamson - kyle.williamson@applemore.hants.sch.uk All email unrelated to Applemore College and/or the education sector should be directed to kyle.williamson@kammtech.co.uk PGP Signature: http://mson.org/pgp/ ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are private and intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, the E-mail and associated files have been transmitted to you in error: any copying, distribution or other use of the information contained in them is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this E-mail may be interpreted as a contractual or other legal commitment on the part of Applemore College unless confirmed by a communication signed by or on behalf of the Principal. If you are of the opinion that have received this email in error, please contact admin@applemore.hants.sch.uk ********************************************************************** -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGPfreeware 7.0.3 for non-commercial use http://www.pgp.com iQA/AwUBPV0ncBO0UZldngMZEQIdFwCdFCI7PmVxjkvy+fuGTg8lpDHAyZkAn3oL 0CE6jc8wjS0rhhqrcK5icts3 =PAvf -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
On Friday 16 August 2002 01:31, Kyle Williamson wrote:
Not that free laptops are a bad thing - altough, in a school, running laptops that are not of similar specification is a pain when it comes to adding software - recloning, etc.
Every member of staff at Applemore has a laptop, varying from Acer 210's (700mhz/64mb ram), Acer 525's (700mhz/128mb ram), and Compaq Evo N110's (1100mhz/128mb ram). Hampshire have announced they are supplying Dell laptops to arrive before September, Dell XP Pro machines with 256mb ram.
I feel it would have been better to supply a choice of models to schools. Now we have to deal with a third supplier (Dell) as well as Acer & Compaq. However, a gift is a gift, and they will surely be well used ;-) I suppose the idea is to keep the cost down at the schools end of setting the machines up.
Its not a gift, its taxpayers money! Better to give the schools the money and just demand receipts to show they have spent it on laptops. The margins on
Assuming laptops are the right choice in the first place...
laptops are small so bulk purchases are unlikely to make massive differences to the price, and the reduced flexibility and nanny state getting in the way are just not worth any savings - in fact looking at the prices charged by the approved laptop cartel I wouldn't be surprised if the "bulk purchase" actually cost more.
Especially once you factor in the costs of getting the thing to interoperate with school networks. Which is an issue the website completly sidesteps. -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
Not that free laptops are a bad thing
Wot? They are an appalling thing. Free? Think what the taxpayer is paying. Think what else could be done with the same money. Bear in mind total cost of ownership, the cost of the system that's supporting them etc. Are all your roofs mended? Taps not leaking? Heating adequate? Other supplies satisfactory? Class sizes good? Lots of books in the Library? Salaries good? Plenty of teaching assistants? Citizens happy to pay higher taxes for your laptops? OK, then they aren't a bad thing, except that they mean you are paying a lot of money to fund Californian lifestyles.
- although, in a school, running laptops that are not of similar specification is a pain
Of course. Unless you buy them all at the same time and then no more. Otherwise, you have a pain.
However, a gift is a gift, and they will surely be well used ;-)
Yes, they'll do snake and many other useful things. -- Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG 01371-822698, mobile 07816 821659 cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk
participants (6)
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Chris Puttick -
Christopher Dawkins -
Ian Lynch -
Kyle Williamson -
Mark Evans -
s-clarob＠st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk