Linux in Italian schools

Linux in Italian schools

Posted Sep 16, 2005 19:43 UTC (Fri) by mikebanahan (guest, #32508)
In reply to: Linux in Italian schools by alspnost
Parent article: Linux in Italian schools

Wow - I'm flattered to be quoted. So as not to hijack the thread, I'll say that experience in the UK is that FLOSS provides excellent answers to most teaching requirements,based on only on what I know from Felixstowe, but also a range of similar solutions that are outlined on Schoolforge. The total-cost-of-ownership figures from the UK Government agency BECTA are illuminating too.

There are inevitably some packages that require retention of some Microsoft provision and a total FLOSS solution is a bold step.

Interestingly, the big savings that I have seen are not on software licensing but on technician support. Felixstowe has reached its government 1:4 destop-to-pupil target but only requires one technician to maintain it. Other similar schools using mainstream fat-client desktops typically require three technicians - hence the substantial year-on-year cost reduction. Salaries cost even more than licences.

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