--- Luke Maslany wrote:

In truth is hasn't been that much of a wrench as I have access to a Win2003 terminal server so pretty much everything is still available should I need it...

Ugh huh. There's also a number of other interesting methods to running Windows-based applications in Linux besides using VMWare or WINE.

Back to my point:

I was wondering whether anyone uses Linux in a HE/FE environment? I am

Most people on this list do. :) I myself do not -- indeed, it has been a long time since I have done any work with Linux and education.

particularly interested in whether you have encountered problems when asked to support educational solutions be they installables or web-based resources (such as Learndirect courses)?

I have heard of a lot of problems, yes. It basically boils down to a lack of understanding by the CC (or LEA, or whomever it is that ultimately overseas such decisions about how computers are to be used in education) as to the benefits that FOSS can bring. Thankfully, this is changing, and more and more awareness of it is introduced, but it is far from perfect. Essentially, no one adapts well to change, or to the unknown.

Does anyone have a requirement for Microsoft-specific applications such as Visual Studio?

I wouldn't have thought that secondary schools do --- but the University (if you can call it one) I attend certainly does.

How about realistic alternatives for things like Adobe Photoshop and AutoCAD?

There's a few in the open source definition that would do equally as well. (The GIMP, for instance.)

While I guess these would be more applicable to Colleges I would have thought that schools and Universities may have had to deal with such issues?

Indeed they do (see above). I have been campaigning for some time whilst at University (I'm a student) to get Linux actually *on* the damn machines that are available. After various meetings with some suits, the ball is finally rolling (with sutiable ratification and edification via the BCS; the body whom is approving most of the "transition"). One nice thing thus far, is that OO.o is installed on all machines that run Windows --- this means I don't have to rely on the filters in OO.o (not that I use OO.o, I prefer TeX), but the principle is what I am proud to see.

How about users on the administrative network? While OO seems like a pretty suitable replacement for MSOffice (I'm still unsure abount an MSAccess replacement) how do you deal with the mandatory Windows software doled out by Government bodies such as the LEA?

Any way you can, basically. You push and push, and push. At some point (by Christmas? Hell, maybe hell will freeze over first) the computers here will use VMWare to allow Linux access. This has been a tremendous effort by a number of people --- essentially though, what had to happen, was to get the support of people from the BCS (and other parties) so that the LEA took such a suggestion seriously. I know it seems stupid, but there's _a lot_ of red tape surrounding all of this. (Should anything further come of this discussion, I'll CC my level tutor on this, so that he can at least read it. :)) -- Thomas Adam ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

--- Ian Lynch wrote:

Its worth bearing in mind that we have direct contact with BECTA and the DfES through SchoolforgeUK and Open Source Consortium. While this is so far more focussed on schools there is no real reason why it should not apply to FE and HE. In terms of migration strategies etc Open Source

Indeed. Note though that it's not so much of a migration, as it is integration. I don't think academia is ready for ubiquitous linux support. :)

Consortium is probably better placed than BCS in giving advice on use of FLOSS in existing environments. Indeed many members of OSC are also BCS members.

I realise that, but from what I can gather, most of the course material taught here is ratified (mangled, whatever you want to call it :P) by the BCS (they certainly have a large finger in this rather mouldy pie). There's a meeting towards the end of this month (via the BCS -- it's open to non-members too) about the use of Linux alongside Windows.

Since I'm the official point of conatct between BECTA and the Open Source community, I'm quite willing to talk to any LEA that requires some official basis for considering these issues.

I had long since mentioned your name (see, I do my homework :)). I doubt anything will ever be sent your way, alas. Thanks though. I'll keep marching on, to see where this actually leads. -- Thomas Adam ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com