I was reading Chris Dawson's education blog on ZDNet as I do often. he had a recent post about Linux and meeting all of one's needs. This is very true and more than anything adds credence to my title. In order for any us to get people to switch to open source alternatives, we have to make it very easy. Much like Apple computers, it just has to simply work.
At OS4Ed, we are doing our best to emulate this practice. That is the reason we created an automated installation process so that non technical users could easily try our software. Eliminating upfront license fees, lowering total cost of ownership, 100% web-based, built on all free open source software doesn't mean anything if it is not easy.
How do we successfully move people over to open source? Make it so easy and so affordable that the decision is no brainer.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Intel Classmate PC - China, but not the US?
Intel has announced the release of its second generation Classmate PC at an event in China. We have closing schools, declining budgets and a well known gap between students and available technology in schools, yet our companies are selling low cost PC's everywhere else. Why isn't there a stronger push to get these low cost PC's into US schools? My guess is that profit is a motive.
But in the long run, the more students get exposed to technology, the more they become technology enthusiasts creating lifetime clients for the industry as well as future employees. M$FT is smart about this selling their software to education for next to nothing in many cases, thereby creating lifelong users at an early age.
Education has to push industry and ask for these things. Come on educators, you are smarter than this! Control your vendors, not vice versa.
But in the long run, the more students get exposed to technology, the more they become technology enthusiasts creating lifetime clients for the industry as well as future employees. M$FT is smart about this selling their software to education for next to nothing in many cases, thereby creating lifelong users at an early age.
Education has to push industry and ask for these things. Come on educators, you are smarter than this! Control your vendors, not vice versa.
Catholic Schools Closing at a Record Rate
A recent EdWeek article talks about the crisis facing Catholic schools and the closing of 1,300 schools since 1990. Budget issues are cited and I truly think that open source can play a major factor in all education as a way to replace costly commercial software that continues to eat away at instructional budgets. Where education is often a laggard in technology, this is an area where they need to be a leader and show others that open source alternatives are viable and force change among the traditional software vendors.
Education, stand up and flex your muscles! In many cities, you are often the largest employer with the largest budgets. You have the ability to enact change in the software market. You also have the ability to be leaders in helping open source companies like mine develop true alternatives to costly proprietary systems. Step up to the plate and help us give money back and sustain small faith based and independent schools that are doing great jobs in educating our children.
Education, stand up and flex your muscles! In many cities, you are often the largest employer with the largest budgets. You have the ability to enact change in the software market. You also have the ability to be leaders in helping open source companies like mine develop true alternatives to costly proprietary systems. Step up to the plate and help us give money back and sustain small faith based and independent schools that are doing great jobs in educating our children.
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