[SLUG] Re: Scarborough Digest, Vol 191, Issue 5

[Rob Hall]

On Monday 10 September 2007 07:12, John Allsopp wrote:
> I've got that impression from somewhere. You wouldn't find AutoCAD in a
> school, I don't think. The BBC, perhaps. And Gem instead of Windows.

We use Autocad. Decent pricing for the Educational licence. The trouble is 
with the campus agreements with Microsoft. XP and Vista is available for 
staff for nothing, Office is freely available. The cost of the licensing is 
pretty minimal for what we get and that is where they get you. Very, very 
clever marketing.

> point putting in resources to bring someone in a school up to speed on
> Linux when every parent would have to ask 'why?'

But it is still worth using behind the scenes. We also teach it as part of the 
A-level course and get students to compare installations of XP/Office etc and 
Ubuntu. Guess which one wins hands down every time! Speed, ease of 
installation......

I have been making real noises about teaching kids to use word processors over 
Word, spreadsheets over Excel and databases over Access. That way they learn 
the underlying concepts and can move into any world with some real knowledge. 
It is working as well. I am now being asked to supervise the A-level lab 
where we build Windows and Linux machines alongside each other and all is 
well. 

I would also think it a bit hypocritical to freeze out one OS in favour of 
another just for the sake of it. I would love to see more Linux in the 
classrooms and if I get my way we will. Just slow, steady and persuasive. 
Linux by stealth!

Rob Hall