[ale] Palladium/MS: ideas for retaliation

[Geoffrey]

Charles Marcus wrote:
>>From: Geoffrey [mailto:esoteric at 3times25.net]
>>Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 11:52 AM
>>
> 
> <snip>
> 
>>Because of the investment in software these school systems
>>have, and the comfort level the average teacher has with M$
>>environment, you won't be able to touch the computers in the
>>classroom or labs.
>>
> 
> While I would disagree with the 'absoluteness' of this statement in general, I
> think that the combination of licensing/upgrade pressure with the approaching
> deadline for M$ s/w, with the fact that this is actually being done, though
> definitely not on a mass basis yet, proves that it indeed *can* be done.

I would challenge to provide replacements for the existing software 
then.  They use everything from typing software, games, and of course, 
Microsoft Office.  They will opt to continue with a windows based 
desktop rather then endure the pain and suffering of learning a new 
environment as well as doing without the replacement software.  Sure 
there's Wine and it's relatives, but short of them not having the funds 
to continue the M$ license, they'll not go elsewhere.  I'd love to be 
proven wrong.  The bottom line is there's not only the investment in 
software to consider, but the training issues for the educators.  Most 
classroom teachers are not very computer savy as it is.  Throw a whole 
new environment at them, and, well I think you get the picture.

>>Now, if we're talking servers, yeah, we know that can be
>>done, so I'm game.  Question is, where to start?  Who do we
>>talk to?
>>
> 
> Servers are always the obvious place to start - and the really neat thing
> about LTSP is you can install it on any server you set up, and then just setup
> a few 'demo' workstations, running all of the K12LTSP school oriented
> software, and let them know that the only cost of setting up a lab or class is
> some minimal upfront configuration costs.


'cuse my ignorance, where and what is LTSP??
Okay, I'm intrigued, where can I locate the L12LTSP oriented software?

> 
> Also, LTSP allows schools to use *much* older hardware (486's, P90, etc) and
> get very reasonable performance out of it, as opposed to the M$ way of forcing
> hardware upgrades with almost every major OS upgrade.
> 
> Anyway, just my .02 clad-coin worth

-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net

I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?


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