Re: a suggestion

[Nathan Dietsch <ndietsch@mse.com.au>]

Hello,

This is a reply to all previous email threaded from my original post.

I agree about having a computer at home. I also think it is much better.
From a practical point of view, I believe that in country such as
Australia with as many people as we have not being able to afford a
computer, fairness of distribution would be an issue. One disadvantaged
family gets a computer another doesn't, it lacks equity. In individual
cases such as the disabled as was pointed out, the idea of giving PCs to
homes is an excellent idea.

Another question, how does one qualify for a computer? ie what are the
critereon, or is it open to whomever applies?

I know that I would not like to have to go to the library to use a a PC,
and naturally I would like to see PCs in more homes, but I was outlining
this as a starting point and from there widen the distribution.

Computer literacy will empower the nation's people. Without it, people
will fall behind. Regarding using Linux to teach admin skills, I refer
you to the article by professor vermeer.
http://linuxtoday.net/stories/1846.html

Anyway, just my two cents.

Regards,

Nathan Dietsch
 

David Buddrige wrote:
> 
> In terms of genuine empowerment, I think a computer to own and keep is 1000% better than any machine owned by an organisation like a school.... as Simon has already noted, the government is plowing a bunch of computers into
> the schools anyway...
> 
> If you stick the computers in schools or some other similar organisation, access to them is limited to when school is on - secondly, there is likely to be a queue for it's use (or alternately, it will collect dust in the
> corner because the high-powered windows 98 machines are preferred
> 
> I have found the greatest learning comes about when I have exclusive use of a machine to tinker and mess about with it thereby generating knowlege and experience.
> 
> Bearing in mind that it is not uncommon for a Unix Systems Administrator to be paid >$50k, (just have a look at the Australian newspaper on any Tuesday) a Linux based computer  to learn on, and tinker with could be a real
> and substantial way out of the poverty trap that many disadvantaged families' kids get into.
> 
> If they can grow up with some flavour of unix, and learn it when they are young, by the time they are ready to leave school they will already be eminently employable - and at extremely high rates of pay.
> 
> I would see this as being a major ++ benefit of the whole Computer Bank Concept - that it offers disadvantaged kids an affordable (close to free) way to learn a skill that is going to set them up for life... heck, we have
> this IT Staff shortage that the papers keep talking about - why not fill the gap with people who could use the job opportunities?
> 
> Anyway, that's my $0.02.  ;-)
> 
> Dave Buddrige.  8-)
> 
> Kylie Davies wrote:
> 
> > Hi
> >
> > Good to see you and others joining the list!
> >
> > >I see public places with many computers as a better option >than some families with one computer. Also, it would be a >lot easier to get an ISP to give access to an charitable >organisation than to an individual family.
> >
> > In some instances a computer with internet access for individual
> > use is quite beneficial. An example is a chronically ill or
> > disabled person (or an isolated one)...they may not be able to go
> > anywhere to use a computer. In this case however it could be that
> > the organisation who referred the client (person) to us (internet
> > use identified as being beneficial) also gets computers -
> > (internet access). The organisation could act as a dial up
> > internet access point for the people with computers. (if we
> > provide them with a network and a mini server).
> >
> > At the moment Dave is preparing a draft of the documents required
> > for association. I'd expect the christmas period sees everyone a
> > little rushed off their feet!
> >
> > Anyway today we got some good publicity on some major linux news
> > sites. I have recieved many emails and am sorting through them at
> > the moment.
> >
> > ....back to my email....
> >
> > Merry Xmas
> >
> > Kylie

-- 
I use UNIX because reboots are for hardware upgrades.