[K12OSN] Comment from principal about lab.

[rmcdaniel at indata.us]

Good points.  I would have to respectfully disagree on the belief that
people haven't heard about Linux.  There has been alot of information
about Linux.  I can assure you that the kids have heard about it.  The
sound issue should be easily fixed with some troubleshooting and help
from the experts on this forum.  I completely agree with the comment on
the product being free therefore inferior.  I hate pushing opensource or
Linux as the "FREE" solution.  I like to take the approach of better
performance, security, and reliability.  I know that keeping a lab up
and running no matter what OS is being used is VERY important.  People
don't tend to notice what you are using until problems start to arise. 
At that point, it becomes very easy to just blame the OS, whether MS or
Linux.  I would make sure that you are running the latest and greatest
and then show off tools like Teacher_Tool to demonstrate the benefits
of K12LTSP.

Just my 1 1/2 cent,

Ron



Ronald R. McDaniel
Conecuh County Schools
(251) 578-1752 x30
(251) 363-3201 cell
1*4238*104 SouthernLinc
rmcdaniel at indata.us



> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [K12OSN] Comment from principal about lab.
> From: "Joseph Bishay" <joseph.bishay at gmail.com>
> Date: Thu, March 08, 2007 8:30 am
> To: "Support list for open source software in schools."
> <k12osn at redhat.com>
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I have been discussing this issue in the past with the principal, and
> there seems to be different issues at work.
> 
> For example, a key area of contention is audio.  We used to have audio
> with the lab, but then one day (I THINK it may have been after a yum
> update) it just stopped working and I am totally unable to get it to
> work again.
> 
> Another aspect is name recognition.  Windows XP has branding power.
> Parents know it.  Principal knows it. Teachers know it.  No one has
> heard of Linux.  So why are we using an operating system that no one
> has heard of?  Same for Microsoft Office vs. Open Office.
> 
> If you cite the cost reason, it just creates a sentiment of
> inferiority.  Oh - we have to use Linux because we can't afford
> something better.  IE: I need to drive a old, beat-up used car because
> I can't afford a new, name-brand car.  Instead of exploring the
> possibilities that Linux provides, the people just see the lab as sort
> of a holding pattern -- we're here until we can get something better.
> Hence why I get comments like "Hopefully in the future it can be
> Windows", mirroring "hopefully in the future I can get a better car".
> 
> That seems to be the situation here.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Joseph
> 
> 
> On 3/7/07, Jon Spriggs <jon at spriggs.org.uk> wrote:
> > Just out of interest, did you ask him why he thought Windows was a
> > better proposition?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Jon
> >
> > On 3/5/07, Joseph Bishay <joseph.bishay at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > So I thought I would vent here. I was at the school just checking on
> > > the lab after a power failure.
> > >
> > > I was using the boot floppy on the clients and made the comment that
> > > hopefully in our new school (see the other thread about a new
> > > building.)  we would not need the boot disks. The principal replies
> > > with "hopefully in the new school we will have Windows instead of
> > > this."
> > >
> > > * Sigh*  I wonder why I ever bother.
> > >
> > > Joseph
> > >
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