BECTa's spec on laptops for teachers
BECTA's spec on laptops for teachers is at http://www.lft.ngfl.gov.uk/index.php?i=307 Isn't this unfair discrimination against FLOSS? They specify that MacOS X 10.2 or later is acceptable so how come GNU/Linux isn't? Why could a teacher not choose to have Suse Linux on a laptop instead of Windows (Ok, it might be difficult to obtain a laptop without Windows but its the principle that matters) Also they say an office suite with WP, SS and presentation and that shareware, freeware is unacceptable. Same for E-mail. Does this include OpenSource? ie is OpenOffice.org not allowed? Seems particularly daft if StarOffice is since its effectively the same software over the required applications. Then there is mandatory anti-virus software. Doesn't all this show that despite them not actually naming names they are skewing the specification to block out FLOSS. This is against the recent E-envoy's policy to provide equal consideration to FLOSS solutions and it could be against fair trading law if it could be shown that BECTA was effectively colluding with Microsoft to block competition by reinforcing their monopoly. As the Lead for education for the OpenOffice.org project I will not be happy if BECTA's only grounds for discriminating against us is that we produce Free software which would be the logical conclusion if they allow StarOffice. -- ian <ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com>
On Tue, Dec 16, 2003 at 03:44:42PM +0000, ian wrote:
BECTA's spec on laptops for teachers is at http://www.lft.ngfl.gov.uk/index.php?i=307
Isn't this unfair discrimination against FLOSS? They specify that MacOS X 10.2 or later is acceptable so how come GNU/Linux isn't?
Why could a teacher not choose to have Suse Linux on a laptop instead of Windows (Ok, it might be difficult to obtain a laptop without Windows but its the principle that matters)
As with the OS X 10.2 it's a case of "Hobson's Choice" apparently even when you are ordering hundreds of machines.
Also they say an office suite with WP, SS and presentation and that shareware, freeware is unacceptable. Same for E-mail. Does this include
They also specify an "offline" email system. Which has issues both from the intergration and data protection points of view.
OpenSource? ie is OpenOffice.org not allowed? Seems particularly daft if
The meaning of the term "freeware" has effectivly become meaningless in education. Especially now that "E-Learning Credits" make expensive proprietary software "free" (Excepting the cost of deployment and any "upgrades" which may be needed.) Is "Internet Explorer" now "freeware".
StarOffice is since its effectively the same software over the required applications. Then there is mandatory anti-virus software.
Doesn't all this show that despite them not actually naming names they
They appear quite happy to name names when it comes to operating systems and web browsers.
are skewing the specification to block out FLOSS. This is against the
-- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
participants (2)
-
ian -
Mark Evans