[nzlug] OSS in Nz schools

[Andrew Farago]

Hi everyone,
I did the research on the weekend.
Spain. The poorest region of Spain deployed the 80000 computer for  
schools. "All of the computers are using a customized version of  
Linux, called GNU/LinEx" Someone spent a lots of money and time to  
turn Debian and Gnome to a distribution which is suitable for  
schools. (like BSD<->Apple)
India. We talking about approximately 20-25 million Linux based  
computers and 1,103,371,000 persons in India. Almost nothing. The  
project just started and M$ is fighting back with a very-very cheap  
Windows XP version. Good start but need to have a look on the project  
again after 3 years.
Brazil. The Linux powered computers was deployed also in the poorest  
districts. 32000 users vs. population 188,078,261. Also a good start  
lets see what happening later.

It seems to me the motivation was not the freedom or the technical  
advantages but the money. How many the governments or schools can save?

What is the state of the Munich's City Council Linux project? The  
basis of they decision was booth financial and technical. The last  
thing what I heard about it, it is cancelled. Anyone know something  
different recently?

Linux is great. I love it but still need a lots of work (+money) to  
make it useful for the corporate level or schools (500+ users, 10+  
servers, management features/applications).

What we can do? Lets form a company. Spend a year to convert a Linux  
distribution and separate applications into a coherent OS/application  
package. Develop a well working management interface and put all into  
a box. Fortunately the government of NZ is open for the "in house"  
development and the Open Source Solutions. On that way we can help  
the OSS movement, make NZ a better place and make a good money for  
us :-) And I am not joking now! If you want to do something really  
serious and you have time (money) just drop me an e-mail  
(farago at orcon.net.nz).

Andrew

On 2/02/2007, at 6:52 PM, Hilton Theunissen wrote:

> Hiya
>
> Andrew I think you need to do some research why Spain decided to  
> use OSS for over 100000 desktops for schools, India for 12500  
> schools, Brazil for approx 32000 users.
>
> Look changed is a pain and some people want to come to work and  
> everything must be the same - then life at work is easy.
>
> I am not saying this should be OSS vs Apple vs M$ debate, neither  
> is it a question of which office suites, browsers,etc, it is more  
> about giving people choice, like cars. When you get to SA you will  
> drive on the left with steering wheel on the right, in NZ you might  
> be use to driving on right with steering wheel on left - but hey  
> the principal is You can drive a car and if the lanes and steering   
> wheel changed --you will adapt!
>
> In schools educators want educational tools and content, now  
> learning how to type a document is not educational that is learning  
> a skill. The best approach is to challenge the learner to take  
> content plug into a word processor,etc. - manipulate the data with  
> tools provided in the app and deliver a educational outcome instead  
> of " I know how to use $$$officeXXXX very well"
>
> Nice debate guys and Linux is good for the desktop!
> -- 
> Kind regards.
>
> Hilton Theunissen
> Inkululeko Technologies
> Tel: +27 11 462 9124
> Fax-to-mail: 0865033491
> Mobile: +27 72 900800 1
> E-mail: hilton at inkululeko.co.za
> http://www.tuxlab.org.za
>
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