Free Open Source application adoption
IMHO the primary factor that influences people when choosing an operating system is the availablity of applications for a particular platform. If computer users rely on a Windows only application, then there is little chance of a switch to Linux etc. until a viable alternative that runs on the proposed new operating system is available (I'm assuming that the app can't run using Wine or some other emulation). Are any of you actively trying to introduce apps like OpenOffice.org into your schools ? Are you using Wine ? If you are doing these things, I'd be interested to hear about your experiences. Regards Chris
In December I filed a complaint to the OFT with regard to MSSA being anti-competitive because it requires the payment of licences to MS for machines that do not run any of their software. I think most people would agree that an effect of this, intentional or not, is to block competition by ensuring revenue for MS from rival installations. There was an article in the Register and the Times on this and I am talking to Computer Weekly about it tomorrow. The OFT have now decided there are reasonable grounds for a full investigation so collecting evidence is important. This is an important issue for Suse and in fact any Linux distribution that wants to get onto the desktop in schools. If MS succeed in a strategy of getting most schools onto the MSSA it will virtually kill any chance of getting Linux at the desktop in schools. The OFT, has specific bureaucratic requirements in investigating these issues and it could take up to 2 years to come to a judgement and even then it might not be the one we would like. So this is only a beginning but an important one if Linux is to thrive in schools. If you have any evidence that MSSA is blocking Linux adoption in your school or any other that you know, particularly if you work for a commercial Linux company (Roger?) the principal case officer dealing with this is Edward.Anderson@oft.gsi.gov.uk. If you need more information drop me a line. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-5-664844,00.html (Times link) Thanks, -- ian <ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com>
Ian Congratulations ! Could you email us a copy of your letter to OFT so that we can all write to them supporting it ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Grahame Leon-Smith, Chairman of Trustees Tel +44-1932-874066 Fax +44-1932-874068 FREE COMPUTERS FOR EDUCATION Registered Charity No. 1059116 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT < http://www.free-computers.org> and for further information just send a blank email to: < mailto:free-computers-news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -----Original Message----- From: ian [mailto:ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com] Sent: 05 May 2003 11:07 To: SuSE mailing list for UK schools Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] OFT and MSSA In December I filed a complaint to the OFT with regard to MSSA being anti-competitive because it requires the payment of licences to MS for machines that do not run any of their software. I think most people would agree that an effect of this, intentional or not, is to block competition by ensuring revenue for MS from rival installations. There was an article in the Register and the Times on this and I am talking to Computer Weekly about it tomorrow. The OFT have now decided there are reasonable grounds for a full investigation so collecting evidence is important. This is an important issue for Suse and in fact any Linux distribution that wants to get onto the desktop in schools. If MS succeed in a strategy of getting most schools onto the MSSA it will virtually kill any chance of getting Linux at the desktop in schools. The OFT, has specific bureaucratic requirements in investigating these issues and it could take up to 2 years to come to a judgement and even then it might not be the one we would like. So this is only a beginning but an important one if Linux is to thrive in schools. If you have any evidence that MSSA is blocking Linux adoption in your school or any other that you know, particularly if you work for a commercial Linux company (Roger?) the principal case officer dealing with this is Edward.Anderson@oft.gsi.gov.uk. If you need more information drop me a line. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-5-664844,00.html (Times link) Thanks, -- ian <ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com> -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.445 / Virus Database: 250 - Release Date: 21/01/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.445 / Virus Database: 250 - Release Date: 21/01/2003
participants (3)
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Chris Duncan -
Grahame Leon-Smith＠FreeComputers -
ian