On Wed, 2007-08-08 at 13:09 -0400, Ralph H. Stoos Jr. wrote:
Maybe the web is the way to transparency as Browsers work a lot alike. So, working the back end apps like grade book etc. might be the foot in the door.
The global trend is towards the web as the platform rather than the local desktop. That is certainly part of our strategy. Make all the learning resources web compliant so it doesn't matter what desktop is run. Once there is sufficient support for web based apps there is no reason to choose more expensive infrastructure so there will be a natural drift to GNU/Linux in any case as the least expensive option although I'd expect MS prices to fall to try and put that off. On the other hand we need resources to put into developing web applications so we might as well take revenue from the Windows users to do this since it will accelerate the process. I don't see the development resource going into education apps for desktop Linux fast enough. The compelling reason for developing for the web is that you have a much bigger market.
Open Source software can save significant monies on both hardware and software. Staving off a "hardware refresh" can save big dough. Downloading applications from a web or local repository that are free is more money for other things, like training.
Accessing Web pages from thin clients is even less expensive. Mostly schools could have a thin client per child (Or a OLPC type device) if there are sufficient applications to support the curriculum. Moving development to the web seems the most likely way that will happen.
Color me squarely in the middle on this.
I guess I'll go find a gym that serves beer :>)
Drank to much of it last night so I need to work it off ;-) Ian -- New QCA Accredited IT Qualifications www.theINGOTs.org You have received this email from the following company: The Learning Machine Limited, Reg Office, 36 Ashby Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 8AQ. Reg No: 05560797, Registered in England and Wales. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-edu+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-edu+help@opensuse.org