Linux in U.S. /ALL/ Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management) [LWN.net]

Linux in U.S. /ALL/ Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management)

Posted Sep 10, 2008 12:06 UTC (Wed) by lacostej (subscriber, #2760)
In reply to: Linux in U.S. /ALL/ Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management) by csawtell
Parent article: Linux in U.S. Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management)

Politician from party C:
I have just secured millions of dollars in funding from the central government bean counters, but instead of using it on expensive pre-packaged software, we will use it more wisely. We will also provide a more open and diverse education system, making our kids both more knowledgeable and adaptable to varying environments, but also generate local jobs, making our economies and communities stronger. Not only that, but we still end up saving money and stay competitive in the long run.

Thinking Voter: ???

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Linux in U.S. /ALL/ Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management)

Posted Sep 10, 2008 21:34 UTC (Wed) by pr1268 (subscriber, #24648) [Link]

And exactly where is party C's candidate's constituency? Fantasyland?

My snarly comment isn't meant as an attack against lacostej's, but rather at the sheer unlikelihood of his/her scenario. It would certainly be nice, though, to have candidates like party C's.

Linux in U.S. /ALL/ Schools: Why the Resistance? (IT Management)

Posted Sep 12, 2008 13:07 UTC (Fri) by jmmc (guest, #34939) [Link]

I like your option. Yet, I find an acute lack of this 'party C' opinion in the US / my state /my town / my School District representation as much as I'd probably align myself with that option as a voter.

As much as an optimist as I've tried to be (hey, I was still optimistic past my 40th ! - and I have (small) kids !, not bad eh ?...I'm still under 50, but the recent years have not helped me to remain optimistic). The local Primary turnouts in my voting district rarely top 40%, in ANY election year. Our mayors are elected by a total of ~30K people (and that the vote TOTAL, which means the 'winner' gets in office with ~15-20K votes), in a city of 120,000-135,000. Hardly 'representative'.

Point: (imho) People are SO UNengaged in their local politic or so pummeled with poor school boards, entrenched teacher/administrator conflicts, Federal/State government school funding shenanigans, etc. that even getting into this dicussion about what software schools use brings shrugs/non-interest/indifference.

Where I felt Apple in 80's actually was (somewhat ?, altruistically ?...even a little ?) interested in providing the Mac as an actual 'tool for learning' in schools, I think the shrewd folks at MS simply pounced on the confused, cracking public school infrastructure in the '90s and, like an earlier poster noted, went with a Pepsi/Coke/Cigarette approach of 'promote often / addict early' and enticed frustrated school Admins with 'deal-with-devil' / 'path of least resistance' offers they couldn't refuse.

Thank You For Powerpointing (smoking) !, indeed...

And, why isn't it promoted that Government funded institutions (schools) NOT use products of a company (MS) the their own institution (Gov't) CONVICTED (!) of monopolistic behavior ?!

Re: Thinking Voter ? (thinking... we are so screwed ;)