My name is Paul, and I've delayed my introduction to the list so that I could tell the general direction of the discussions etc. I have basically joined the list to keep up with those closest with Linux and schools. I worked part of a year in a Corby Technology College and watched expensive proprietary solutions being implemented knowing that there is a better way. Having used SuSE Linux from version 6.0 and being a regular user of a lot of open source software (I'm studying an HND in Network Support) I think that a compelling argument for open source software in schools is the simple fact of its being "open". There is a major philosophical as well as financial argument to using open source software, not to mention the more than obvious technical argument!

My main interest is seeing Linux used alongside, if not replacing, proprietary solutions in schools. I would like to help in any way I can with the promotion of Linux for that purpose and being a Dad of four it makes sense for me to introduce children to a true multi-user, multi-tasking OS from the outset of their education. I think if we were to truly open up IT to the masses and make school a level playing field for the "have-nots" then there is most definitely a financial incentive to use and adopt open source solutions. Having been an IT technician in a school helped me see that even though proprietary solutions "work" in schools, often the need to customise and enhance software is huge but without the source code to do it from- or even the finances. Lists like this could help to show many schools and teachers in particular that open source (Linux in particular though not exclusively) can offer a better financial and technical basis for teaching and using IT in their school--enhancing the quality of education and not as some assert reducing it.