Hi All, Please take this as a request for comment rather than my solid opinions. I also hope I have posted this in an appropriate place! Following the conference on Friday I was left with the distinct feeling that we are standing on the edge of a major breakthrough on the implementation of open source software in schools. The offer of this technology is computing that is: - low cost - sustainable - ubiquitious - customisable We need to make sure that the enthusiasm is focussed now, for though we are all convinced of the inevitability of open source solutions, the time scale is determined by those of us who are implementing it. In particular, if the first wave of schools adopting open source does not do so by September 2003, then we will be set back by a whole year. Suggestions: that invitations are put out to get involved with the first wave - this should include: * schools - the early implementers * schools interested but not ready to implement yet * providers and developers * any other interested parties * we share information and thoughts through a Wiki thus allowing any one to get involved * the AFFS is invited to be the front organisation for this group (www.affs.org.uk) * contact is made with organisations in other countries working on similar lines * we look for a major publicity drive in September by when a number of UK schools should be runnning large scale open source solutions. ===== rgds, Richard Rothwell -------------------------------------------------------------------- "You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to war." __________________________________________________ Yahoo! Plus For a better Internet experience http://www.yahoo.co.uk/btoffer