RE: [K12OSN] New Web site: Open Options: Making Decisions about Open Source So ftware for K-12

[Kym Buchanan <buchanak nwrel org>]

We appreciate any interest in our project. Please take this as
clarification, not a flame.

Our server isn't symbolic of our beliefs, either way. It's existing lab
infrastructure we've used in the past. I'm sure educators can relate to our
pragmatism. Our project isn't dismissing an open source solution, nor
endorsing Microsoft server software.

We aren't advocating for open source. We're creating independent
decisionmaking tools for K-12 educators considering open source. Their
schools and students are the victims or beneficiaries of their choices, so
we're trying to deliver a clear, pragmatic, independent analysis.

I read these comments as elitism about solutions, with the implication that
users should abandon existing, functional solutions simply on principle.
That's not attractive to educators, who are over-worked and under-funded.

That said, you're certainly welcome to recommend open source solutions,
especially if the recommendation is backed by extended use in K-12. We also
welcome discussion of the actual site content, which is quite explicit about
our credentials and beliefs.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Bucknell [mailto:david members iteachnet org] 
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 11:18 PM
To: k12osn redhat com; David Hopkins
Subject: Re: [K12OSN] New Web site: Open Options: Making Decisions about
Open Source So ftware for K-12


Dear David Hopkins,

Thanks for catching this rather important point, David. Now we know more
clearly how far the openoptions group really has to go in understanding the
very situation about which they are addressing. It's _almost_ funny.

David Bucknell
==
Quoting David Hopkins <dahopkins comcast net>:

> Nice website, but I disagree with the statement found on
> 
> http://www.netc.org/openoptions/pros_cons/features.html#schools
> 
> that we should teach MS-specific products because that is what 
> Industry uses.  Specifically,
> 
> "However, students approaching the job market (e.g. high school 
> juniors and seniors) need to be taught the software employers want, 
> and this will usually include proprietary software (e.g. Microsoft 
> Windows and Microsoft Office)."
> 
> [start rant]
> I was "taught" DB III (it was awhile ago) because that was what 
> industry "wanted". It hasn't benefited me one bit.  Now, if I had been 
> taught database design, etc, that would have been very handy. Teach 
> the "philosophy" of word processing.  All word processors have 
> basically the same needed features, just a matter of figuring out the 
> help system to determine how to activate the particular feature you 
> want.  Also, buying into the above statement means spending money for 
> no really good reason.  If a company had wanted to hirer me because of 
> my skills with a particular package, I would not have wanted to work 
> there anyway.  Can our students express themselves is what really matters.
> 
> Also, LTSP is redefining 'front-end', user friendly, and turnkey 
> solutions.
> 
> [end rant]
> 
> Statements like these on a the site will simply feed the conceptions 
> of those that do not want to change.  Otherwise, it is a nice website.
> 
> Definitely time to get some sleep.  I am sure others will have better, 
> less opinionated reviews.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Dave Hopkins
> Newark Charter School
> Newark, Delaware
> 
-- 
http://www.iteachnet.org
http://members.iteachnet.org/webzine * http://opensourceschools.org *
http://www.rose-marie.ac.th *


------------------------------------------------
http://members.iteachnet.org/
http://www.opensourceschools.org/



_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
K12OSN redhat com https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>