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Thread ID: 91622	2008-07-13 03:28:00	Using Linux in Schools - an Australian perspective from the inside	vitalstatistix (9182)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
688442	2008-07-13 03:28:00	Catching them young is a popular slogan and one that yields dividends too, no matter whether one applies it to the adoption of software or the learning of a language. And with a small window seemingly open for Australia's FOSS community to push for the use of free and open source software in schools, the question arises - how does one go about making the first inroads? www.itwire.com Interesting article, well worth a read.	vitalstatistix (9182)
688443	2008-07-13 03:52:00	While open Source is good in some areas, in the real world, many businesses still use Windows, and if students are taught on another OS, doesn't matter what it is, they may be disadvantaged if they go for jobs and they have no knowledge of the windows operations. I'm NOT going to get into one of these what OS is better fights that these posts seem to run into, every OS has its good and bad points. The last wording in the article can have my final say. I believe it is a waste of time to try to convert people to FOSS if the existing system suits what they want to do. Most people do not care about freedom or monopolies. They just want to do their job with the minimum of effort."	wainuitech (129)
688444	2008-07-13 04:03:00	While open Source is good in some areas, in the real world, many businesses still use Windows, and if students are taught on another OS, doesn't matter what it is, they may be disadvantaged if they go for jobs and they have no knowledge of the windows operations. On the contrary - how do you think RIMM and BlackBerry got into the enterprise? They weren't introduced by IT depts, they were introduced by the office workers who wanted to use them in the office each day so the IT depts were forced to adapt (which is something IT depts hate) to cater for the devices. As a result RIMM and Blackberry have become a required device in many places. Same goes for Linux in schools, while they are obviously not suited to all areas I believe that it is definitely worth using Linux and the relevant apps where applicable so that students get familiar with more than one OS and are able to take that knowledge into the workplace to meet the growing demands in a gradually changing work enviroment (where applicable) Same thing is happening with Macs in schools and is about to happen with the iPhone in the enterprise. We are becoming a multiplatform environment as Microsoft's dominance withers. If students are taught the basics of Linux for stuff like networks and servers then it is going to be much easier for companies to draw IT talent from the local pool of resources than to search for it in overseas markets. Most likely cheaper too.	vitalstatistix (9182)
688445	2008-07-13 05:48:00	As stated before: I'm NOT going to get into one of these what OS is better fights Before I put you on my ignore list please answer 1 simple question WHY do you always try to start fights / disagreements in just about every post you reply/post to ? Edited: may I remind you it was your link to that article and i quoted from it.	wainuitech (129)
688446	2008-07-13 06:05:00	As stated before: Before I put you on my ignore list please answer 1 simple question WHY do you always try to start fights / disagreements in just about every post you reply/post to ? Edited: may I remind you it was your link to that article and i quoted from it. Indeed you did which is why I said "where applicable" which means that should could/should look towards including Linux into the curriculum where applicable as as workers with more than just MS skills are a valuable asset in the enterprise. Just because every business doesn't use Linux doesn't mean you can't teach it. My take on the article is that Schools shouldn't just limit themselves to teaching Microsoft based apps to students.	vitalstatistix (9182)
688447	2008-07-13 06:07:00	vitalstatistix, have you ever worked for a major business? (I'm talking nationwide at least). You don't seem to have, from what I have read. Which version of Linux would you use? There's so many versions, I have trouble seeing a standard that businesses could use.	the_bogan (9949)
688448	2008-07-13 06:11:00	vitalstatistix, have you ever worked for a major business? (I'm talking nationwide at least). You don't seem to have, from what I have read. Which version of Linux would you use? There's so many versions, I have trouble seeing a standard that businesses could use. Not from an office worker (Word, Excel,PowerPoint) perspective, no, although I have had dealings with multiple platforms from the end user perspective though which were perfectly fine. Which version of Linux would I use? Considering the most commonly mentioned one is Ubuntu, I'd go with that one if I had to. My encounters with it have only been to do with accessing stuff on servers which was no problem at all. My understanding would be that aside from the bog standard Office stuff that the most likely candidates for using Linux would be in the server admin and backup storage areas where Linux poses more of a threat to MS and where your "typical" network admin skills are required. Although if someone can enlighten me as to why that is not feasible I'll climb back under my rock. :)	vitalstatistix (9182)
688449	2008-07-13 06:32:00	I know of one example where a linux server was a disadvantage - sure its free and thats good . The example I know of is where a company had a Linux server 3 years ago (no idea what version of the distro) - the IT guy in charge of the Computers/network left on bad terms, and because Linux is so configurable which in this case was a hindrance to the company, he did something to it so it couldn't be accessed the following week (he left on a Friday) - Now I'll be the first to admit I dont know that much about Linux - BUT the company concerned had at least 4 different Linux Experts from various places in - even they couldn't bypass what he had done - so the whole system was as much use as a paper bag in a storm . IF it had been a Windows based Server then things may have been different - who knows . Cant go on "What if's"	wainuitech (129)
688450	2008-07-13 06:34:00	Fair enough - I guess you could call it a double edged sword, having a lot of options is great but it can also work against you in a situation like that. I guess it can be a case of swings and round-a-bouts.	vitalstatistix (9182)
688451	2008-07-13 07:09:00	(Word, Excel,PowerPoint) I think we should all be keeping an open mind on future possibilities - I remember my wife being told that if you didn't know WordPerfect 5.1, you were a dodo. Thankfully some people thought different and I hope that we can still think of something different that may be better in the future.	decibel (11645)
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