[nzlug] OSS in Nz schools

[Dirk Pilat]

Hi all,

Unfortunately it looks like that 'Linux by decree' will be the exemption  
rather than the norm when it comes to the desktop. While there are islands  
of Linux desktop use in the corporate/state sector (especially in Europe  
and the BRIC countries), it will unfortunately take at least another  
decade before the stranglehold of MS will wane (if ever), and who knows  
whether or not Apple might be filling that void.
<p>
When it comes to the use of FLOSS on the desktop at home, the humans on  
mailinglists like these will be the multiplicators, spreading the gospel  
by gentle evanglism in our workplaces, families and with our friends. Then  
there's stunts like Software Freedom Day that will help as well, but  
adoption is going to be slow.

Funnily enough, I think that Vista will actually help, with a moderate  
number of people refusing to go through another upgrade cycle, and rather  
try out that funny 'Ubunthingie', before shelling out another 2000 bucks  
for a new PC that is Vista ready.

Dirk