Re: [school-discuss] ZIS Server Dreams

[Michael Williams <mwilliams@haywood.k12.nc.us>]

Doug Loss wrote:
> 
> Doug Loss wrote:
> 
> > I think we're getting far enough in this discussion to think about setting up a
> > formal project.  How about OpenSIF <http://opensif.org>?  Whoops, opensif.org
> > exists.  Take a look at it and see if these folks have already developed what we're
> > talking about!
> 
> Replying to my own mail: what a loser I am! :-)  Anyway, I've looked at this website,
> and I'm pretty sure that while they say "open-source" in a number of places, they are
> misusing the term and are providing this software only on a commercial basis.  I don't
> think this is what we're talking about, or modifiable into it.  How about FreeSIF
> <http://freesif.org> then?  That domain doesn't seem to be taken.  If we want to go
> ahead with this, we can reserve the domain and find hosting space and services for it.
> Les, Steve, Dominique, Michael, others, what do you think?
> 
> --
> Doug Loss                 All I want is a warm bed
> Data Network Coordinator  and a kind word and
> Bloomsburg University     unlimited power.
> dloss@bloomu.edu                Ashleigh Brilliant

Okay, I signed up to get more info and stated I was interested in piloting. 

After doing some more research as how this would apply to my district it turns
out
that the current SIS being "developed" by the state of NC (NCWISE) is actually a
modified version of eSIS by Administrative Assistants, a member of SIF. How much
its
been modified I don't know yet.

I am currently piloting distance learning courses from Apex Learning, We use
Follett
software district wide and we're in negotiations with Compass Learning for a
pilot,
all of which are members of SIF. (Why all the pilots? Everybody wants to say
that
they play with the new buzz word "Linux") :-)

I'm currently playing phone tag with the Project coordinator for NCWISE. I want
to 
demo NCWISE using linux/k12ltsp at this next conference. NCWISE wants to see it
also
and needs some help on server spec requirements.

I will seriously consider Edustructure, but I have reservations about the use of
Java
and MySQL.

I am uncomfortable with the "free" word, I think it causes more confusion than
it's
worth. I also don't think open source and commercial should be mutually
exclusive.

Michael

-- 
Michael Williams                   Instructional Technology
Haywood County Schools          216 Charles St. Clyde, NC 28721
http://www.k12linux.org                 (828) 627-8314