Hi Simon, I think something came across my desk in relation to Linux a while back. The reason we didn't respond is because :- a) Trying to manage the network growing as quick as most High Schools netwrks is very time consuming (to give you an idea I have 123 computers to set up using some form of OS, a language lab with 32 machines, interactive whiteboards and another computer room all before September). To change or look at something as (I hesitate to use this word) radical as Linux is a big step and eXTREMELY time consuming, where as I'm sure you'll agree - adding an NT Box as a BDC to the network is extremely simple :) B) Thinking about this - it is just time - there purely isn;t time to look into Linux properly and role it out as an OS or a Server Based system (Althought our next one is going to be - thanks to Phil Driscoll). I do beleive we need to look at Open Source Software within school more. Star Office is one particular way of looking forward. It's not convincing the ICT Departments in School Really. It's your other staff that find they have to learn yet more programs, styles of doing things and are (to be honest) quite against radical change of any description.
-----Original Message----- From: Simon Wood [mailto:Simon.Wood@pace.co.uk] Sent: 11 July 2001 10:04 To: Schools List Subject: RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] software in schools/piracy
-----Original Message----- From: Alan Harris [SMTP:alanh@bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch.uk] Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 9:56 AM To: Ian Lynch Cc: Frank Shute; Schools List Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] software in schools/piracy
if we want this to work, and we want schools to go opensource, then we, the open source community, are going to have to provide training materials, faq's and example lessons which lead to defined National Curriculum Levels. When we can do this THEN we can provide a total solution to the Microshaft problem.... [Simon Wood] I agree 100% with this, I spent some effort with my local LUG (WYLUG) to put together a 'Schools Page' and wrote to a few local schools presenting ourselves and offer support and information if they wanted it.
So far we have not heard anything back - I guess that they are either not interested or simply are too busy coping with the other problems that they have in school.
I think it is a very difficult situation, if you are too evangelical you will only create barriers
Simon Wood.
PS If you want help (or to help out) in West Yorkshire check the WYLUG web site - http://www.wylug.org.uk
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