Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-edu (104 mails)

["Mark Evans" <mpe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I've listened to the arguements (if thats what they are) about
> the NHS MS deal.
> 
> I suspect that right now they represent good value for money.

Possibly depending on exactly how the deal works.
> 
> I would, however, have concers about locking into such an
> agreement - or ending up with an expensive 'buy out' scheme.
> 
> I am sure that many on this list are familiar with MS
> deal for schools - the 40ukp deal per station for 
> Office/Publisher/VStudio/Encarta suites.
> 
> It typically represents good value for money if you intend
> keeping your software base up to date.  However - I do

Also it is only good value if you are starting from 
scratch. If you already have licences for the products
in question you effectivly end up throwing money away.

> strongly object to counting 'every' PC regardless or
> not of whether it is going to run any MS products. It may

Also IIRC the part of the bundle is for client access
licences (which are IMHO money for old rope in the
first place.)

> not be a big issue at the moment but it does make the cost
> savings of switching to linux (for some stations) a non event
> as I still have to count those machines in paying for the MS licence.

This is exactly the sort of thing Microsoft was doing with
OEM licences which lead to their being tried the *first*
time.

> I can't see how the Office of Fair Trading can really allow this deal

IME the authorities just arn't interested. 

> - but Microsoft are certainly getting away with it.

Maybe part of the reason is that they are so blazen
about it that people tend to take the view "it must
be prefectly ok".


-- 
Mark Evans
St. Peter's CofE High School
Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109
Fax: +44 1392 204763