Previous email: OK, in this school we use RM Integris. First of all our staff use it constantly, it runs well, it has all the data they need if not too much data in some cases. We have support from our LEA for the product, although sometimes the support is slightly lacking but the job gets done eventually. My opinion, and this is all it is, is that we would not go to a free admin system because of the above, we know it, we use it, it works. Personally, when something goes wrong, i know who to point the finger at and who to contact. Would this be the same with an Open Source admin system and would a group volunteer themselves to be in the firing line of support and problem queries locally, as sometimes we have to have visits from the LEA to sort more complex problems. As it stands, i wouldnt want our admin team to switch to anything else. Not trying to dampen things, but these issues i feel are relevant and very important before any software is created. :) ------------------------------- Simon Davies Systems Manager Queen Elizabeth Cambria School Tel:01267236451 Fax:01267238224 www.queenelizabethcambria.com ------------------------------- This was my opinion, i dont expect anyone to agree with it. As for what happens when companies disappear and can no longer support their products, ie RM, etc..what happens when people decide to change careers, sell out, move abroad or just feel like not bothering anymore ? Which does happen....we all use software and hardware that could potentially be on borrowed time. Open source, great, low cost software even better, but please dont bother coming out with a list of why i should and shouldnt do things, because as we all know each establishment is different, we all work different ways. Also, a very interesting article in PC Pro this month about 'ditching Microsoft'. A lot of very valid arguments there, argued from a Linux corner and a Microsoft corner. Hope I didnt offend to many people, i am an active Linux(suse) user and supporter, but i have to think of my colleagues around me when bringing new ideas and systems online S