hi all (again) the debate taking place here on the suse linux list is interesting and potential far reaching (beyond the scope of the list, can i access the archive, someone send them to the TES Online or Telegraph)...., some further observations 1. Support. The support model for Open Source & Linux is the real 'leap-of-faith' the majority of IT managers/workers in the UK. They do not see it as the easiest option and it scares them. The main benefit of support contracts/ third party organisation running your systems is that you have 'someone else' down the line to pass the blame on to, especially if you've paid lots of money for it. If an Open Source solution fails (which is less likely) you've got to stand up and be counted. The key skills are knowing bash, Linux device drivers etc its knowing how to get hold of great resources on the web (whose using IMP web-based mail by the way ?). Acorns did educational IT harm, as many people (including me) felt that they gone up the wrong tree and most schools want to up the right tree with the corporate world. 2. Advocacy. The K12Linux list in the States is great, and has regular postings which include things like 'how do I persaude my teachers that Word isn;t the only solution'. Good case studies is where Suse, Redhat and the other Linux distributors come in, providing solid evidence to Open Source / Linux working in the School environment. Becta would love to evaluate more Linux servers (we've already done Powys) and Linux/KDE workstations. 3. United Front. I'm a Mandrake user, i like it, got RPM etc etc, but don't get hung up on the different distributions, get hung up on overall politics of free speech and getting what you want from your IT resource, not just what people are willing to sell you. You will also have to buy some closed source software (I agree with Eric Raymond on this one), for niche applications, SIMs is currently one unfortunate example. If anybody wants a company to support their Open Source/Linux solution for their school, we are aware of at least three who will do it for you. And to finish, some maths..... Microsoft are sending / have sent a note reminding school Heads and Governors about their responsibility for correct licensing, to around 18000 primarys and 6000 secondary's in the UK. At educational rates, thats a minimum of around £750,000 of OS licenses alone (i guess). Anybody want to work out the productivity tools, content, admin tools etc etc (oh and by the way, around £35m on ISDN2-based ISP access each year!) regards Malcolm ------------------------------- Dr Malcolm Herbert Head of Technology R&D, Becta 02476 847126 Mob: 07801 612438 ------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Christopher Dawkins [mailto:cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk] Sent: 10 July 2000 19:22 To: Phillip Deackes Cc: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] OSE Conference
If SuSE, or some other company, were to set up some sort of support service maybe we could actually do something. I gained all my knowledge of a stand-alone Linux system from tinkering at home. I really couldn't learn about Linux networking by tinkering with the school network!
The main problem is to ensure an adequate support service without rocketing costs, as people actually able to solve all the problems are very rare - and problems that need a site visit are bound to be expensive anyway. I reckon that one engineer could properly support a dozen Unix schools, so each would need to pay about 4000 pounds a year. Schools would need their own technician to sort out the simple problems, of course. About 80% of the support could be done remotely. The related problem is that all computer systems fail from time to time. If your standard Win system fails you can blame it on Bill, go home, mow the lawn, watch TV, and wait a few days till it's fixed by the school suppliers. If you have argued for a Linux system and installed it yourself in the teeth of opposition from others who say Win is better, then when it fails it's up to you to desert your family and spend the weekend fixing it. Of course, it doesn't fail often, but when it does it's you that are in the soup. It would be well worth it if the savings the school made on the system appeared in your salary! -- Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG 01371-820527 or 07798 636725 cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk