[GLLUG] Free Open Source Software and UK Education

[sean tohill]

On 20/11/12 12:46, Chris Bell wrote:
>     The BETTshow is normally HUGE and I have not yet read through the
> exhibitor list for 2013, but there could already be some stands booked for
> individual FOSS projects. Most projects are now web based, so system
> independant. Up till recently the government based stands pushed Microsoft
> and refused to acknowledge FOSS, although some individual stands did mention
> something like "also works with Linux". At BETT 2012 staff on government
> stands simply refused to suggest or recommend any OS, but very few had even
> heard of FOSS.
>     One major problem is that many schools have contracted out all their IT
> systems, and are only allowed to request facilities from their supplier. I
> have previously been asked to install a small IT network which had to have
> absolutely no connection to their existing setup so as not to infringe their
> existing contract.
>
check my post to the list a couple of weeks ago about Open Standards 
Principles.

schools will be required to supply and receive data and documents from 
government bodies in specified open standards. there is also a software 
interoperability requirement. this may not be a huge immediate change 
but will have a gradual impact. worth pointing out on any promotional 
material you provide.

regards

sean

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