Re: [school-core] multilingual web platform

[Karl Sarnow <karl@dadoka.h.ni.schule.de>]

grahame.leon-smith@free-computers.org wrote:
> Karl
>
> Great to hear from you again.  The problem with Linux here in the UK is that
> unfortunately we are totally dominated by Microsoft. The Government and all
> Local Education Authorities will only recommend and will only provide
> support for Windows, and the overwhelming majority of schools (and
> individuals as well) are afraid to change to Linux because they feel that
> there will be no one to help them if anything goes wrong.  There is also of
> course the fact that they need to access and be able to use all the current
> programmes as well for the foreseeable future, so they really need to be
> able to operate both at the same time.
Grahame,
	this is exactly the same for Germany.

But in the last two years a change in the view of the government took 
place. So slowly there is some public rumor about Linux. People begin to 
think about it. The case of Munich, where all windows clients in the 
public administration are to be replaced by Linux clients is one model. 
Another case is Schwäbisch Hall.

With the public administrations beginning to change their opinion there 
is a chance that also school administrations are beginning to change minds.

This is a slow process. But it has to start. I started in my school some 
years ago. You should support this start by giving away ready to run 
machines. Then you do not need people to setup a computer room (at least 
not for the initial setup).

Just give to schools your computer in a ready to run pre-installed mode.

You don't need Microsoft for that. Schools will see that your computers 
run more reliable, less maintenance intensive and well enough to allow 
the bread and butter applications (Office applications).

> I note with interest that you are still the German Co-ordinator for the
> European Schools Project.  I used to receive regular emails and details of
> their annual conferences but I have heard absolutly nothing for over a year
> now.  Is it still active ?
>
> Regards, Grahame
Yes it is. May be a bit more silent then before.

;-)

CU
Karl

--
Dr. Karl Sarnow
Teacher at Gymnasium Isernhagen
German national co-ordinator of the European Schools Project
e-Mail: karl@dadoka.h.ni.schule.de
URL: http://www.shuttle.schule.de/h/dadoka