On Tue, Apr 12, 2005 at 09:53:56AM +1000, Terry Collins wrote:
4) The MS Tax is charged on EVERY computer in the school, hence there is no money saving incentive to replace MS with FOSS/Linux.
I thought that was illegal... ..how do they attempt to enforce this?
I'm only guessing, but it's most likely a contract between MS and NSW Dept Ed, the cost of which the Dept is passing on to schools by number of computers in the school to make it "fair".
>
Or possibly start an online service for teachers since one thing that schools are doing right is providing lots of Internet access. Then you can use Linux under the hood and maybe encourage them to download a bit of open-source on the side, gradually get them into open office and gimp. Maybe get them interested in buying a server with the same online services for their internal use which will run faster (less users and over ethernet LAN).
This sort of thing is done, but with people out their in the schools pushing it, suggesting this or that piece of software first. If it satisfies your needs and you don't have to pay then great. I've had some success with that in high schools. Primary is different as that is where the "educational" type stuff comes into it.
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