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[Sheflug] Re: Linux in Schools (was: Partitioning)

Steve

> Maybe Linux might be an option for the "invisible" tasks such as
> network and file servers etc. The teaching staff would be pretty
> alarmed to see anything other than Windoze when they turn their
> PC's on.

Originally it was used that way - e.g Red Hat 4.2 upwards - but in 
the past year or so more than a few schools have switched to desktop 
use to save money.  The teachers involved in those projects say that 
the both the kids and themselves don't notice that there aren't any 
MS products around. They say that most tasks can be done without MS 
stuff.  They also say that they only need an MS product when it comes 
to GCSE exams.  So, the general argument seems to be that high 
quality IT education can be delivered with the use of desktop Linux.

So, it's more common than a lot of people think.  But, not as well 
known or as common as it should be.

I find in Sheffield that we do have internal ICT technicians within 
the schools who look at you in a funny way if you offer to build them 
a PC at a sensible price.  They'd rather do it themselves. There are 
also other schools who just buy in PCs but they seem to go to a 
certain supplier and that's the end of it.

My own experiences - as I have said - to do with getting schools in 
Sheffield to understand that they could save money have - as I have 
said - have been very mixed.  Some of them show interest and then 
aren't interested when they find out that they have to read a book.  
Others try it out and then give up when they can't get the headmaster 
to understand.  One or two schools have stuck at it.  Haven't heard 
anything from them just lately.

Thanks


-- 
Richard
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