Terry,
I guess I've just had a better run with teachers than you :-)
When I had more time I was trying to set up some web pages aimed at
explaining technology options to schools... These are in disrepair at
the moment as I am just *far too busy*. It may be worth the effort at
some stage to try and get a few more people in on this task.
Alternatively an e-smith style distribution that was customised for use
in the schools network might be a good project (i.e. installed out of
the box with a schools-net ready configuration - answer a few
localisation questions and bingo). I know enough about how school
networks "should" work to say how this should be done but no time to do
it. If there was such a thing it would be *really* impressive for
schools: hire a linux guy for half a day and everything is up and
running.
Anyway, good luck... I hope they come crawling on back in 18 months or
so begging you just to tell them how to fix things. But I susspect they
will throw some more (big) money at a licence waving NT contractor :-(
What a waste of public money.
Terry Collins wrote:
>
> Andrew Dorrell wrote:
>
> ...snip...
>
> > Similarly I think you missed Simon's point (sorry...) The staff most
> > likely didn't know or understand what Rachel had set up for them.
>
> Most school teachers don't know anything about computers - full stop.
> At best they know how to use a few programs, but only after someone
> shows them.
>
> > Because teachers are stretched to keep up with things they only get
> > around to thinking in terms of named packages rather than services. NT
> > is one of those named packages. Add to that the fact that DET is
> > pushing schools (gently) towards PC (and consequently windows) centric
> > networks, with free MicroSoft software for all, and you start to see the
> > picture.
>
> Any teacher doing the accounts knows that Microsoft is costing the
> schools and isn't free. NT isn't being pushed gently. It is full on
> FUD and DUD. Basically the suppliers know they will have to improve
> their ball game greatly if linux gets inm, so aided by the dept they
> are laying FUD on thick and fast.
>
> The training they receive is not designed to do anything more than
> show them how to use the MS programs. It has no technology
> understanding component at all.
>
> The only reason I made my second offer of assistance to the school was
> the ear bashing I was getting about computer problems that the new
> management at the school was having. I thought they might be fed up
> enough to look at the big picture. It turned out they were not, so I'm
> quite happy to let them continue to stew until they are motivated to
> look elsewhere.
>
> This procedure works well with converting people to linux - just let
> them stew under the MS stuff and eventually they will be prepared to
> try something else. It shocked us at PCIT 99 that people where not
> after linux as such, but an alternative to MS stuff.
>
> > It
> > takes either a very brave or confidently well informed school to take
> > the "non-standard" route as you can be sure there will be a few parents
> > that know enough to be dangerous - and have attitudes and opinons to
> > match!
>
> Well, it is a stupid teacher that lets parents dictate what happens at
> school. Most of their problems come from interferring politicians.
>
> There is only two things it takes to be a parent and being a parent
> just guarantees you are one or the other, nothing more.
>
> "Why does he need to know how to read or write? He can break horses
> like his father does." - said by one of the "parents" at the school.
>
> --
> Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861
> email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www: http://www.woa.com.au
> or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
> snail: PO Box 1047, Campbelltown, NSW 2560.
>
> "People without trees are like fish without clean water"
--
Andrew Dorrell PhD. Research Engineer
Canon Information Systems Research Australia Phone: 61 2 9805 2224
1 Thomas Holt Drive, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Fax: 61 2 9805 2929
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