Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Folks, I'm Bill Cornell. This past year I've been off-and-on involved with the Rye school system's technical directions through SAU50. (SAU50 covers Portsmouth, Greenland, Rye, and Newcastle.) My focus has been on the computer network the school is trying to put in place. Keeping in mind that schools often raise money through bake sales, suppers and craft sales, I've had a pointed concern about getting the most value for the school systems money when it looks at computer networks. There have been several iterations of equipment donations to the Rye Public School System($$), but think the equipment piece is just the tip of the iceberg. As best as I can surmise these equipment donations have not been matched with ongoing administrative and maintenance support() or an organized program of software and hardware upgrades(). Now the town is struggling to find a way to make the program go without spending a huge amount of money. So, any tools, free hardware, free maintenance (...ha ha) or free software would be greatly appreciated. Is there some kind of loose knit gray market group out there who I can talk to? Your comrade in arms, Bill
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Dear all: Wow! Quite a response. Thanks guys. Currently, my plan is to find out the name of the Technology Coordinator at EHS and start from there. As things go on, I can forsee the need for a meeting, especially if the administration is receptive. If the TC is unreceptive, then I guess we should try to put together a clear, concise collection of the advantages of linux and let them decide. A nice, descripte (but concise) document, with screen shots, might do the trick here. If all goes well, that packet should only be necessary for the school board.. I shall be in touch, Casey Callendrello Sent via the Exeter WebMail system at mail.exeter.edu ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Casey, This is very cool. I live in Kingston and as member of a town abutting Exeter I would hope that any successful efforts made there can spill over somehow. I'd like to offer my support, Let me know when you're ready to plan and execute your attacks. -Andy Casey Callendrello wrote: Hello All: My apologies if this message is sent twice. I made some silly mistakes having to do with folders and the like. In any case: Hi, my name is Casey Callendrello, I'm a senior at Phillips Exeter Academy. Next year I'll be studying Computer Science at Columbia University. I've been a linux fan since slackware 7.x--a rough first distro (it came with a pretty good book though). I'm LPI level 1 certified, something I did for no good reason, don't ask me why. Well, now you know enough about me, here's what's up: Recently, the issue of the Exeter Area High School has come up. The new building proposal has a grand total of $900,000 for _everything_ computer related, something that, with most setups, would be patently absurd for a 1,500 to 1,800 student school in a brand new building, no prexisting anything save the pc's they are keeping. Of course, the whole network is Windows based. For Exeter taxpayer's sake, it would be in our interest to get Linux into the school. Believe it or not, I don't think it would be much of an issue convincing the school board to use Linux. They are incredibly stingy: I personally know one of the members and can quote her saying I'll never pay more than $15,000 a year for college. It's not that important. Just so you know the purebred stinginess we're dealing with. My sister has reporded (an insider!!) that the school's approach to technology has been disconnected and ultimately useless. We, as an LUG, could provide an incredible service to the students: by familiarizing them with Linux, we are promoting the OS we know and love, and are saving the school time and money. Anyone remember the Install-Fests that took place in several Washington counties? While the time is not yet right, especially since the school hasn't even had a final site plan drawn up, much less been approved by the voters, it would be tremendous opportunity that would be a shame to miss. Here there is a chance to expose 1,500 students (200, I'll be honest, who actually care) to a proper computing setup, as opposed to the weak, lackluster approach to technology Exeter is currently taking. Any thoughts? Sincerely, Casey Callendrello ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Casey, I have given talks to various chambers of commerce and school boards regarding the use of Linux in education. My talks show that Linux and Open Source not only save money, but lead to a better and more vibrant learning experience. I would be happy to give such a talk at a local meeting (Rotary, School board meeting, chamber of commerce) if you could give me the proper contact names. Even though the site plan has not been drawn up, it might be a good time to broach the issue with them, to start them down the path of Open Source. Investigating the software they will need can be a parallel project to that of laying mortar. I think that locating all the software and putting together a software map might be an interesting (and fun) project for gnhlug, but I can not speak for the rest of the group. If you want me to speak in Exeter, I travel quite a bit, so we will have to coordinate dates closely. Warmest regards, md P.S. I estimate the worth of my college education, ammortized over my (so far) thirty years of work experience, to be approximately two million dollars. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Casey, Jon, et. al., This past Fall I recall speaking with colleague who happens to be a member of a Portsmouth school system steering commitee and his potential interest in introducing the open source concept there. I would like to invite him discussions/presentations as well. -Andy Jon Hall wrote: Casey, I have given talks to various chambers of commerce and school boards regarding the use of Linux in education. My talks show that Linux and Open Source not only save money, but lead to a better and more vibrant learning experience. I would be happy to give such a talk at a local meeting (Rotary, School board meeting, chamber of commerce) if you could give me the proper contact names. Even though the site plan has not been drawn up, it might be a good time to broach the issue with them, to start them down the path of Open Source. Investigating the software they will need can be a parallel project to that of laying mortar. I think that locating all the software and putting together a software map might be an interesting (and fun) project for gnhlug, but I can not speak for the rest of the group. If you want me to speak in Exeter, I travel quite a bit, so we will have to coordinate dates closely. Warmest regards, md P.S. I estimate the worth of my college education, ammortized over my (so far) thirty years of work experience, to be approximately two million dollars. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Believe it or not, I don't think it would be much of an issue convincing the school board to use Linux. They are incredibly stingy: You *are* talking about public education in the state of New Hampshire. Remember, this is the state which is *still* debating how to fund an equal education to all students *years* after the Court decreed it (see contrasts to Vermont and Maine when they faced simliar issues). :-( there is a chance to expose 1,500 students (200, I'll be honest, who actually care) to a proper computing setup, as opposed to the weak, More importantly, it's a chance to expose 1500 students to a more advanced look at computer technology and to save money on licensing and support/administrative costs. lackluster approach to technology Exeter is currently taking. Any thoughts? Here are some random thoughts thrown in a haphazard way: Having dealt with public education for a while, the key is to swing the power brokers in the bureaucratic positions. School boards generally have to have very good, very strong reasons to veto the recommendations of the experts they hire. Thus, IMHO the key is the technology coordinator/director for the district or high school. Get that person on board (and if possible other technology people at the school), appeal to the board's cheapness, and it'll be game over. Who's the tech coord at the school? What's the opinion of the compsci teachers there? Burn a bunch of Knoppix CDs and hand them around to various people (don't forget the school secretary, a non-obvious power broker) and emphasize the see, it's the same thing aspect; use the menus/GUI, avoid the commandline at all costs during demos. Factor in some training costs and the cost for some books (both for StarOffice and Linux in general) and use that as a warm-feeling club to bash objections (But we've got training lined up and we'll have tons of great books to help in the switch...). -- Regards,| Microsoft -- innovative? Don't make me laugh. . | Randy | Subversion is always our best tactic. ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) | Microsoft Manager of Java Relations John Ludwig http://www.golgotha.net | (Quoted in Oct. 21, 1998 San Jose Mecury News) ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Believe it or not, I don't think it would be much of an issue convincing the school board to use Linux. They are incredibly stingy: You *are* talking about public education in the state of New Hampshire. Remember, this is the state which is *still* debating how to fund an equal education to all students *years* after the Court decreed it (see contrasts to Vermont and Maine when they faced simliar issues). :-( there is a chance to expose 1,500 students (200, I'll be honest, who actually care) to a proper computing setup, as opposed to the weak, More importantly, it's a chance to expose 1500 students to a more advanced look at computer technology and to save money on licensing and support/administrative costs. lackluster approach to technology Exeter is currently taking. Any thoughts? Here are some random thoughts thrown in a haphazard way: Having dealt with public education for a while, the key is to swing the power brokers in the bureaucratic positions. School boards generally have to have very good, very strong reasons to veto the experts they hire. Thus, IMHO the key is the technology coordinator/director for the district or high school. Get that person on board (and if possible other technology people at the school), appeal to the board's cheapness, and it'll be game over. Who's the tech coord at the school? What's the opinion of the compsci teachers there? Burn a bunch of Knoppix CDs and hand them around to various people (don't forget the school secretary, a non-obvious power broker) and emphasize the see, it's the same thing aspect; use the menus/GUI, avoid the commandline at all costs during demos. Factor in some training costs and the cost for some books (both for StarOffice and Linux in general) and use that as a warm-feeling club to bash objections (But we've got training lined up and we'll have tons of great books to help in the switch...). -- Regards,| Microsoft -- innovative? Don't make me laugh. . | Randy | Subversion is always our best tactic. ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) | Microsoft Manager of Java Relations John Ludwig http://www.golgotha.net | (Quoted in Oct. 21, 1998 San Jose Mecury News) ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Linux in Exeter Public Schools?
Hello All: My apologies if this message is sent twice. I made some silly mistakes having to do with folders and the like. In any case: Hi, my name is Casey Callendrello, I'm a senior at Phillips Exeter Academy. Next year I'll be studying Computer Science at Columbia University. I've been a linux fan since slackware 7.x--a rough first distro (it came with a pretty good book though). I'm LPI level 1 certified, something I did for no good reason, don't ask me why. Well, now you know enough about me, here's what's up: Recently, the issue of the Exeter Area High School has come up. The new building proposal has a grand total of $900,000 for _everything_ computer related, something that, with most setups, would be patently absurd for a 1,500 to 1,800 student school in a brand new building, no prexisting anything save the pc's they are keeping. Of course, the whole network is Windows based. For Exeter taxpayer's sake, it would be in our interest to get Linux into the school. Believe it or not, I don't think it would be much of an issue convincing the school board to use Linux. They are incredibly stingy: I personally know one of the members and can quote her saying I'll never pay more than $15,000 a year for college. It's not that important. Just so you know the purebred stinginess we're dealing with. My sister has reporded (an insider!!) that the school's approach to technology has been disconnected and ultimately useless. We, as an LUG, could provide an incredible service to the students: by familiarizing them with Linux, we are promoting the OS we know and love, and are saving the school time and money. Anyone remember the Install-Fests that took place in several Washington counties? While the time is not yet right, especially since the school hasn't even had a final site plan drawn up, much less been approved by the voters, it would be tremendous opportunity that would be a shame to miss. Here there is a chance to expose 1,500 students (200, I'll be honest, who actually care) to a proper computing setup, as opposed to the weak, lackluster approach to technology Exeter is currently taking. Any thoughts? Sincerely, Casey Callendrello ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
