[K12OSN] Why Linux?

[Ken Grant]

I am working on setting up my first K12LTSP server for a local private 
school.  Besides not having a great deal of money for IT, they also have 
no one on staff with IT experience.  Therefore they need a system that 
is very low maintenance.

Right now the have a collection of Win2K machines that always require 
work.  In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons to move to LTSP. 
When we are done, we will have 40 clients that don't have to be 
defraged; have their drives checked for integrity; cleaned of viruses, 
spy-ware, and malware, or be backed up.  This will add greatly to the 
reliability and performance of their network.  And as was mentioned 
earlier, the student can sit down at any workstation and begin working 
on their documents and every night all the documents will be backed up.

While money is the primary motivator for moving to Linux, you need to 
remember that you do not need to worry constantly about being in 
compliance with License Agreements.  Linux frees you up to use 
technology in wonderful and innovative ways.  It removes a major 
maintenance and compliance headache.

Cheers,
Ken




Jay Pfaffman wrote:
> On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:35:43 -0500, Jason <tuxnician at execulink.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>I was wondering if anyone has some information, suggestions,
>>presentations etc of the benefits of Linux/LTSP in the educational area.
>>  I have some websites bookmarked but I'm looking for more personal
>>experience from a technician, teacher etc point of view.
> 
> 
> The feature that I think is most overlooked is that students get--for
> the first time in schools--personal computers.  They sit
> down--anywhere---and their files, bookmarks, backgrounds (with some
> window managers) and so on are all there.  Computers didn't make
> businesses more productive until everyone had computers.  Many kids
> had their own file space in the days that Novell ruled the roost, but
> since MS started charging per person (instead of simultaneous users)
> kids haven't had their own file space.  Being able to sit down at a
> computer and get right to work makes a big difference (or so it seems
> from my Ivory Tower--where students do not that that luxury).
>