[K12OSN] New SmartBoard and Edubuntu...I'm truly impressed!

[Huck]

SmartTechnologies I can't say enough good stuff about...
they don't just sell you an "interactive whiteboard" and say 
thanks...now pay us up the wazoooo for software and all these trinkets...
they GIVE you the software and I would argue it is INFINITELY(not an 
overstatement at all) better than ANYTHING Microsoft could GIVE 
AWAY(other than maybe their IP treasure trovel that they horde to stifle 
innovation [/end rant])

I have MATH teachers, ENGLISH teachers, SPANISH teachers, HEALTH & P.E. 
teachers and COACHES excited about all of the stuff they can do with the 
SOFTWARE(not just the board...as the board is merely a peripheral to the 
computer like a keyboard & mouse)...but the SOFTWARE really is amazing 
and the #1 focus is education...

The mere fact that they support Linux(something I and likely many others 
encouraged them to do since I got MY 1st Smartboard back when I taught 
6yrs ago) Macs and MS platforms to the same degree and level of 
excellence really tells me, yes they need to make a profit, but they 
actually CARE about their users and those they are affecting with 
education on a daily basis.

--Huck

David Trask wrote:
> Recently I was able to purchase an interactive whiteboard called a
> “SmartBoard” for our school.  I have several more in the budget for next
> year, but this one gives us an opportunity to learn more about how to use
> one.  I was excited to find out when I ordered it that it would be
> compatible with Linux, but I had my doubts.  Often times manufacturers
> make claims to be compatible with Linux, but generally with a loss of
> features or a very difficult installation.  I was a little nervous when I
> stuck in the CD to the drive on my Edubuntu desktop….and I couldn’t get
> the installer to execute.  So…I went to the web site and downloaded the
> installer from there.  The installer was a breeze to work with!  It’s an
> autopackage that simply asked me a couple yes or no questions…and then
> VOILA!  That was it!  Suddenly the SmartBoard software launched and we
> were in business!  The total install time took less than 2 minutes!  Guess
> what else?  Everything works!  Every feature from the notebook software to
> the screen captures and more!  I’m truly impressed!  The folks at
> Smarttech have really taken a look at the future of Linux and FOSS in
> Education.  Today was simply my first day…all I got a chance to do was put
> it together, load the software and play around a little.  I’m finding
> myself a bit excited to get to school tomorrow so I can really try things
> out.  Just in the few chances I got to try it out today, I can really see
> how it will totally change the way I teach!  I’m psyched!
> 
> David N. Trask
> Technology Teacher/Director
> Vassalboro Community School
> dtrask at vcsvikings.org
> (207)923-3100
> 
> 
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