Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-edu (26 mails)
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Re: [opensuse-edu] question about reviewing apps
- From: Phil Thane <phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:56:46 +0000
- Message-id: <200703201356.46475.phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Tuesday 20 March 2007 13:26, James Tremblay wrote:
> To all my education friends,
> I have been spending lots of time with Novell's education team since
> arriving at Brainshare Monday morning. I can tell everyone that Novell is
> very excited about our work. They asked that we continue to target desktop
> software for review and that we try and post the locations of source code
> or RPM's for as much GPL'd (the license is very important) software as we
> can find into the wishlist and or directly into the build service. That we
> review them and when possible show a uses case.
>
> I know that over the past few months I have been very quiet , this is not
> because I have lost interest. It is only a sign of how busy I am. I can and
> will be available to have discussions with anyone with questions or
> answers. LOL
>
> --
> James Tremblay
> Director of Technology
> Newmarket School District
> Novell CNE 3\4\5
> CLE \ NCE in training.
> http:\\en.opensuse.org\education
Hello,
I keep quiet on this list, but I'm moved to answer two mails today, here's the
second...
I used to be a full time teacher specialising in Design & Technology (for
those not in the UK I don't think there is anything like it outside the UK
and a handful of former colonies. It's a sort of practical science combined
with design drawing and workshop skills).
I then spent 8 years as Support Manager for a (Windows) CAD/CAM system
supplier that specialised in small systems for schools/colleges. Now I'm a
full-time writer on education and technology related matters (and part-time
teacher when necessary).
I've been using FLOSS for about 4-5 years, these days I only use Windows when
reviewing Windows software, and I'm trying to influence the education system
here in Wales to use it too, though without notable success so far.
A serious sticking point for my ex-colleagues in D&T is CAD. To put it bluntly
there isn't a decent Open Source 2D/3D package. Most schools in England and
Wales run TechSoft 2D Design (TechSoft is my former employer) and PTC's
ProDESKTOP.
2D has been around since the early 90s (and developed from an earlier product
on Acorn computers) so the schools have long since forgotten the cost, it is
free now. TechSoft don't do a Linux version, but it runs OK under WINE.
PTC did a deal with the UK govt about 5 years ago to put ProD free into all
schools. Distribution, training and support was organised by the Design &
Technology Association who charge for training only. Result - software that
is 'Free' in the sense that "the beer is free but we're going to want £500 to
teach you how to use it." But again that was a while ago, now they have it,
it's free this year, and it won't run on Linux.
Most schools also use some sort of CAM. The machines run on serial, parallel
or USB ports, usually requiring special drivers, rather like printer drivers
in many cases. The drivers are usually Windows only. Ironicaly TechSoft sell
a 3D printer for rapid prototyping. It has an x86 PC embedded inside running
Linux, but the control software and 'driver' that makes contact with the
machine is for Windows!
D&T teachers are usually the most IT literate outside of the actual IT dept in
a school, the most enthusiastic and heaviest users. FLOSSIE stands no chance
without their support, and they need CAD/CAM.
Anyone out there prepared to take all the FLOSS CAD and build a decent schools
package out of it? Or start from scratch? I'm not a developer, but I'm
prepared to be a consultant, tester and publicity person.
The best application I have seen for school use is Varicad (free demo
available) but it's not FLOSS and it isn't especially cheap.
--
Regards
Phil Thane
Bryn Villa
Penycoed Road (off Brook St)
Llangollen
LL20 8LR
01978 861677
07971 987623
phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.brynvilla.llangollen.co.uk
--
To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-edu+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxx
For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-edu+help@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> To all my education friends,
> I have been spending lots of time with Novell's education team since
> arriving at Brainshare Monday morning. I can tell everyone that Novell is
> very excited about our work. They asked that we continue to target desktop
> software for review and that we try and post the locations of source code
> or RPM's for as much GPL'd (the license is very important) software as we
> can find into the wishlist and or directly into the build service. That we
> review them and when possible show a uses case.
>
> I know that over the past few months I have been very quiet , this is not
> because I have lost interest. It is only a sign of how busy I am. I can and
> will be available to have discussions with anyone with questions or
> answers. LOL
>
> --
> James Tremblay
> Director of Technology
> Newmarket School District
> Novell CNE 3\4\5
> CLE \ NCE in training.
> http:\\en.opensuse.org\education
Hello,
I keep quiet on this list, but I'm moved to answer two mails today, here's the
second...
I used to be a full time teacher specialising in Design & Technology (for
those not in the UK I don't think there is anything like it outside the UK
and a handful of former colonies. It's a sort of practical science combined
with design drawing and workshop skills).
I then spent 8 years as Support Manager for a (Windows) CAD/CAM system
supplier that specialised in small systems for schools/colleges. Now I'm a
full-time writer on education and technology related matters (and part-time
teacher when necessary).
I've been using FLOSS for about 4-5 years, these days I only use Windows when
reviewing Windows software, and I'm trying to influence the education system
here in Wales to use it too, though without notable success so far.
A serious sticking point for my ex-colleagues in D&T is CAD. To put it bluntly
there isn't a decent Open Source 2D/3D package. Most schools in England and
Wales run TechSoft 2D Design (TechSoft is my former employer) and PTC's
ProDESKTOP.
2D has been around since the early 90s (and developed from an earlier product
on Acorn computers) so the schools have long since forgotten the cost, it is
free now. TechSoft don't do a Linux version, but it runs OK under WINE.
PTC did a deal with the UK govt about 5 years ago to put ProD free into all
schools. Distribution, training and support was organised by the Design &
Technology Association who charge for training only. Result - software that
is 'Free' in the sense that "the beer is free but we're going to want £500 to
teach you how to use it." But again that was a while ago, now they have it,
it's free this year, and it won't run on Linux.
Most schools also use some sort of CAM. The machines run on serial, parallel
or USB ports, usually requiring special drivers, rather like printer drivers
in many cases. The drivers are usually Windows only. Ironicaly TechSoft sell
a 3D printer for rapid prototyping. It has an x86 PC embedded inside running
Linux, but the control software and 'driver' that makes contact with the
machine is for Windows!
D&T teachers are usually the most IT literate outside of the actual IT dept in
a school, the most enthusiastic and heaviest users. FLOSSIE stands no chance
without their support, and they need CAD/CAM.
Anyone out there prepared to take all the FLOSS CAD and build a decent schools
package out of it? Or start from scratch? I'm not a developer, but I'm
prepared to be a consultant, tester and publicity person.
The best application I have seen for school use is Varicad (free demo
available) but it's not FLOSS and it isn't especially cheap.
--
Regards
Phil Thane
Bryn Villa
Penycoed Road (off Brook St)
Llangollen
LL20 8LR
01978 861677
07971 987623
phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.brynvilla.llangollen.co.uk
--
To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-edu+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxx
For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-edu+help@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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