[Wolves] Promoting Linux

[AlexG]

> There will always be newbies...and Linux *may* be
> right for them. Linux is an evolutionary socialist
> OS...theoretically anything is possible. Things are
> getting better each day and when Linux is in schools
> and kids are familier with it...things will then start
> to skyrocket.
Some school network admins are going for Linux in a big way.
I don't want to be accused of sprading FUD here, but with M$ claiming that
thier Windows Licences are per machine and non-transferable(!) (I find a
link to the story if you want), a lot of schools are shying away from low/no
cost software that is donated without the manuals.  Setting up a network
with Linux at an innercity school, from donated/discarded PC's would get
Linux the kind of publicity you want. Free hardware and No licencing
worries!

Also the MS Schools licence is beeing examined by the Office of Fair
Trading. A you need a windows licence for every machine (even if it is not
running windows, yes you need a windows licence for the Mac in the heads
office, yes it has OS X on).

> > Fair enough. I think the people we should be hoping
> > to "convert" as
> > those who already tinker and are already interested
> > in something more.
> > At the very least we should have a poster in all the
> > local libraries and
> > other such places.
Getting the tinkerers who want to know more is a good idea!  That's me down
to a tee. :-)

> > or did something like help convert a
> > local doctor to
> > Linux, or whatever, they'd print a half page or so
> > on us, if we were
> > wiley enough about it.
Unfortunately all of the GP's Computers and hardware are covered under the
"GP Connect" scheme.  A centrally funded scheme of the NHS.  They don't
really have to pay for anything except the licensing for their Clinical
software (which won't be free even running on Linux), and their network line
fee.  I hate it, but the NHS has a centrally funded agreement that licences
and version of Windows and any version of office for the NHS for the next 2
years.  We still have to pay for Exchange and SQL Server licences (and
Client Access Licenses), so there is some room for Linux here.  Also I
believe we have some Citrix servers, and a few Linux boxes acting as
routers/firewalls (That's only for SWBH NHS Trust, I don't know about
Wolverhampton).

All of this and the governments E-Envoy reckons that we should use more
open-source/free software where it is cost effective and in public services
interest to do so.  I'll happily push the use of Linux and MySQL at work as
a Database solution (And then figure out how it works).  We know the
arguments in favour so I won't bother restating them here.

--
Alex G
"When did ignorance become a point of view?"