[suse-linux-uk-schools] Free as in speech?
Seems to me that you are always going to get people with some commercial interest either directly or indirectly contributing to this forum. After all, Linux is used in many commercial applications. I come clean and say that my main interest is in diverting money spent on software licences into support and training in schools. I have a vested interst in that market and a particular expertise in government funding and projects in schools and national education networks (people as well as cable). I don't mind sharing that expertise and I don't think Michael minds sharing his in areas where I or others are weak either because the sharing is what gives us some chance in the competition. There are obviously going to be times when some of us will also be in competition with each other. I hope we get a lot of other commercial interests involved. Even with the drive of these interests it will be an uphill battle getting Linux a significant desktop presence in schools. Democracy is a great thing, but the competitors to Linux are not renowned for their gentlemanly conduct in this respect so we have to be just as tough. I'm not sure how long it takes to get a reputation and experience in this community but frankly, time is short. My reputation and experience aren't in this particular forum but then many in this forum wouldn't have any credibility in some of my other circles. I'm in favour of anyone having their say and if I think its biased I'll take that into account. Some of the debate needs to be at least reasonably robust. Michael's contribution to the longest running thread in uk.education.schools-it was restrained, objective and helpful so I can't really see the problem. He is obviously passionate about what he is doing and this will be vital for overall success. Perhaps the culture is different here? Do let us know because some of us have little experience of this list. If it is the wrong forum for driving open source into schools, perhaps we need a new one with that focus.
regards,
Ian
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Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Free as in speech?
Author: Malcolm Herbert
Michael Brown wrote:
"If you would like some free advice, with no strings attached, then please > e-mail me direct or repost the question in a free [1] forum such as the Usenet newsgroup uk.education.schools-it."
[1] in the sense of "free speech", not "free beer"
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Am I to imply from this that you have been told that you cannot exercise "free speech" on this forum or only that you cannot push your particular business offerings here?
Just interested.
Paul
-- ------------------------------------ Malcolm Herbert Red Hat Europe t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845 ------------------------------------
participants (1)
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Ian Lynch