Personally I believe that exclusion to be unacceptable e.g. against UK and EU government regulation. It's pretty funny that the webserver is running PHP to then say freeware is unacceptable! Have you contacted Becta? -----Original Message----- From: ian [mailto:ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com] Sent: 16 December 2003 15:45 To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] 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> -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com This message may contain information and/or data that is confidential and legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that any use, publication, reproduction or dissemination is strictly prohibited and may violate certain laws. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return e-mail and destroy this and all copies of this message and/or data. The content of this message has been scanned by MailPatrol for unacceptable language and inappropriate content. European Electronique limited thanks you in anticipation of your co-operation. MailPatrol is a fully managed service that offers your organisation the ability to monitor and enforce your Acceptable Usage Policy. For further information regarding the MailPatrol services contact the European Electronique Sales Enquiry line on 0845 345 8340 (local rate) or email sales@euroele.com