The English version of the Red Escolar (RedHat adapted for Mexican
School Systems) News....http://redesc.linux.org.mx/en/news.html
The news is dated, but the Principals link and
others deserve some attention. I think that just having the DECS
Secretary know about the existence of Red Escolar and the Mexican
decision to go with Linux is useful.
Also, SEUL (I think it's http://www.seul.org) has been mentioned. Check
the archives for articles by Doug Loss.
Some ideas...
Adaptability...while we have tossed around the idea of a localized
Linux, the idea seems to have little appeal for many on the list. But,
for the DECS, this option could be integrated into efforts to promulgate
and solidify the National Language. A Pilipino Linux distribution could
probably be produced at far less cost than current expenses for
English-language commercial software...assuming this is a goal of the
DECS.
A networked computer environment. I believe that most schools and offices
use Win95X and not one of the NT's. Linux is an affordable way to gain
the advantages of networked computing - providing both workstation and
server OS and software. Networked computing facilitates things like
centralization (and standardization) of documents which many teachers or
schools may share. It also facilitates teacher collaboration within or
across schools. Or, as a teacher moves from one classroom to another, even
personal data is equally accessable at all.
Standardization - I shiver a little at the prospect of getting *too*
standardized; but the benefits are real. A standard OS means
that training teachers to use the (also standard) tools the
school provides for grading, reporting, etc....can be uniform.
A standardized OS, using tools based on public, stable
standards, has immense potential for networking and
distribution of information, texts, etc.... However,if schools are going
to have to shell out P4000 per station just for the OS, then how much more
for applications, this kind of standardization is not going to happen.
That's all for now...
Bob Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Trillium Technologies Ent.
General Santos City, Philippines
_
Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph
To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
