We are toying with the idea of going all Linux (or mostly Linux - thin clients with some dual-boot systems) at the Jr. High / High School. I know that's not an option for most districts, but as I see it, I don't need to purchase software ( Oh, we did buy Star Office for PC's and Linux for $25 ), and at the present time, there are very few Linux Viruses - that will of course change when and if Linux gets a bigger foothold on the market. I can use cheaper machines since the Server will do all the processing. One of the main reasons we are considering this is the cost of virus protection - not just the cost of the software; but the time it takes to purchase and set up the software; clean a computer or computers of an assortment of MalWare, Trojan, Worm, etc.; the down time of the computers, etc.
I don't know if this is what we will do or not, but the Superintendent wants me to look at the Linux options. I know we'll need some macs and some windows boxes, but the reality is that I can buy some bare bones systems, throw a monitor and a bootable NIC and I'm good-to-go. Any installs, updates, backups, etc. are all done on a single computer - will have a redundant system running in case of server failure. We would be pleased with a couple of labs of WinXP on some new Dells or whatever, but we won't have the money. js -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brad Kruse Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 3:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [info-tech] Virus Protection Costs Recently there was much activity expressed on this listserv about what type of virus software schools were using. I saved most of the messages and read them again today. It seems we are using many different solutions. We have Novell Groupwise email here and I have been using a RAE product (RAV) for a couple of years that scanned email for both spam and virus. It has worked great and was cheap. Guess what?????? Microsoft bought the RAV solution from them and now I cannot renew in Dec. RAE has another solution but it is much more expensive. I paid $599 for the original virus/spam solution and paid $100 for the renewals. Now, I am looking at close to $4,000 for some of the solutions that will do both spam and virus. Suggestions??? Manson Northwest Webster-Home of the Cougars! Brad Kruse ("`-''-/").___..--''"`-._ Tech. Coord. `6_ 6 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.`) 1601 15th St. (_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ``-..-' Manson, IA 50563 _..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' ,' 712-469-3919 (li),' ((!.-' Fax 712-469-3131 --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus on the server aea8.k12.ia.us] --------------------------------------------------------- Archived messages from this list can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ --------------------------------------------------------- --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus on the server aea8.k12.ia.us] --------------------------------------------------------- Archived messages from this list can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ---------------------------------------------------------
