On 3/10/05, Keith Birkhold wrote: > Comment Regarding Don Slater's thoughts on operating systems. > > I would like to reinforce his suggestion that Linux may be the right > choice for an operating system in some cases, but in others it is not. > ICT developers really need to look at all the options and the cost / > benefit picture for tools they intend to use for each unique situation. > > In our k-12 school project for Indiana in the US, 90% of the businesses > in the area use Microsoft software as an operating system. As a school > we need to prepare students for success in the US workforce, and > therefore need to train them to use the tools they will need for entry > level jobs. In our case, using a proven operating system, and the only > OS for tablets at present, is the best choice for us. And with an > educational discount for the software from Microsoft, it makes overall > financial sence for us as well. Support is also an issue here, with only > one Linux trained programer in town in comparison with a host of > companies with Microsoft trained staff.
Well, if you really want to EDUCATE students, you should probably EDUCATE them on ALL available operating systems instead of the ONE operating system that has special agreements with schools such that other operating systems and software cannot be taught. Preparing for the workforce? Yes, maybe. If the education system drives the work force, then we know what to expect and that certainly makes the jobs of educators easier. But it doesn't mean that they are doing a good job. So schools should be teaching MS Windows, Linux and OS/X if they *really* are interested in workforce development. And yes, I have been an educator. -- Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linuxgazette.com http://www.a42.com http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net "Criticize by creating." - Michelangelo Presently in: San Jose, Costa Rica ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
