-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Ellam
[mailto:stuart.ellam@harlington-school.hillingdon.sch.uk]
Sent: 16 March 2001 08:52
To: Ian Lynch
Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Thinking Ahead....
Hi to everyone,
Me: Stuart Ellam, network manager for a large comprehensive school in Hayes,
west london (at least for another 3 weeks).
Just a note to comment on what Ian lynch has been saying.
We run a mixed NT/Mac/Linux environment. All our new network rooms run linux
thin clients, and everyone in ICT,English, Geog - whatever, is very happy
with staroffice.
We have around 80 machines on this sytem now.
We've saved thousands in software licenses but, I guess, also spent
thousands in development effort and time. Now the system is up and running
support is our main issue, and self-help/training seems to be our answer,
coupled with very helpful discussion groups such as this.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Lynch [mailto:ianlynch@zmsl.com]
Sent: 15 March 2001 22:47
To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com
Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Thinking Ahead....
________________ Reply Header ________________
Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Thinking Ahead....
Author: "paul.munro1"
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 13:50:28 +0000
In reply to Paul Munro's points about training and support. And John Wilson
on thin clients.
Paul and John are right to be concerned about training and support. We must
be sure that early adopters have a good experience as they are the best
allies for the cause. Part of my strategy is to transfer software licence
fees into support and training making use of government targeted funding as
well. I know many schools who run Windows systems with very limited
technical support (Not without some trauma at times!) so perhaps we can
convert an apparent weakness into a strength. If we start with Internet and
thin client servers, these can be managed remotely to a very large extent.
We move towards fully managed services (a government priority) but at much
more reasonable costs than the Windows based systems. I already have several
sites, secondary and primary willing to try Linux on the desktop but that
doesn't mean anyone else has to do it. The snag with just sticking to the
server is that the savings are far less. Schools can buy Windows 2000 server
for 130 ukp. OEM 2000 workstation is around £100 so using thin clients
instead of new macines with a M$ desktop OS makes a big difference. We say
to the customer that they just use the system, they shouldn't have to do
much in the way of management. One of the main arguments for thin clients is
reduced TCO. Citrix Systems use the argument to charge 130 ukp per machine
in licences! And that's on top of the Windows and client access licenses.
The savings in software and hardware should easily offset any *additional*
support costs. Don't forget Windows needs support too and in many cases
doesn't get much because all the budget is absorbed by the licence fees. The
best commercial argument for using open source is because it frees funds for
services and other products. I have just been telling Hitachi that they need
to push Linux for their interactive whiteboards because if the school saves
on the software licences they can afford to buy their product. The penny
seemed to drop!
I agree that thin clients are not suitable for every application but they
are suitable for what many people do most of the time. (RISC principle)
Music and media studies can have their specialist machines but I have
secondary school quite happy to provide Star Office to the English
department via thin client because its the only way they can afford another
IT room and most of what they want to do is word processing and web stuff.
The client machines are sitting in a cupboard about to be junked because
they can't run Windows 98 sensibly. I think we have to get away from the
idea that every machine has to be as powerful as possible just in case. A
few yes.
PS. If we want to have the next meeting in the Midlands I might be able to
arrange a venue since I am based inTamworth.
regards,
Ian
