Re: [school-discuss] Donated Computers announcement, Final

[tompoe <tompoe@renonevada.net>]

Hi, Doug:  Better edit the footnote, #9 before sending.
Thanks,
Tom

On Tue, 7 May 2002, Doug Loss wrote:

> What's below is the final draft.  I've incorporated a new page I
> just created that has Paul and Keith's impressions from the 2002
> ACPE conference on it (as Leon requested), and new links for
> Congressman Núñez's material.  Let's get this out!
>
> -------------------------------------------------
>
> LINUX ENABLES SAFE COMPUTER DONATIONS TO SCHOOLS
>
> The Internet, Tuesday, 07 May 2002: In an official announcement from
> the SchoolForge[0] group today, spokesman Leon Brooks refuted
> statements on Microsoft's website which have been widely interpreted
> as a roadblock to the acceptance of donated computers by schools and
> other needy organisations.
>
> "Using Linux, OpenOffice.org and other Open Source software, a
> school or charity can safely accept almost any donated computer," he
> said. "Simply wipe it and replace the software with Linux[1] and
> Open Source applications[2], then use the computer as a powerful
> workstation or server. It's an excellent idea to erase the existing
> operating system anyway - this also erases viruses and trojan
> horses, protects the donor's privacy, and complies with the typical
> EULA[3] - so why not upgrade to Linux while you're there?"
>
> Brooks also noted that Linux removed many of the burdens, costs and
> legal risks of licence management and software asset auditing faced
> by most businesses, organisations and individuals.
>
> The price tag is also attractive. "School decisions are often
> dominated by cost; much Open Source software is available at little
> or no cost, and runs well on donated computers," Mr Brooks
> explained, "Linux is easy to set up as a fast diskless workstation
> or `thin client', so many schools are rolling out networks using
> this robust technology with both donated and new equipment."
>
> "On top of this, Open Source software is immune to almost all
> existing viruses, has an excellent security record, is extremely
> reliable, and in an educational setting often provides a deeper
> spontaneous involvement in computers than programs deliberately
> designed for the classroom, of which it has many."
>
> The most important benefits were outlined[4] by Peruvian Congressmen
> Edgar Núñez, Daniel Estrada and Jacques Ackerman after sponsoring a
> bill to require State agencies to use Open Source where possible:
> greater autonomy, development of local talent, greater security,
> more complete accountability, and adherence to standards
> (interoperability).
>
> The ecological advantage in keeping computers and toxic parts out of
> landfill speak for themselves.
>
> "Microsoft claims on their website that `it is a legal requirement
> that pre-installed operating systems remain with the computer for
> the life of the machine',"[5] Brooks said, "I see this kind of
> problem often with Microsoft's software, as with viruses and
> security issues. The approach that many schools, charities and
> public bodies have taken is simply to use other
> software without this handicap. This happened[6] when Oregon and
> Washington schools recently found themselves being pushed into a
> software audit."
>
> The Simple End User Linux group has dozens of case studies from real
> schools online[7] showing the immediate financial advantages of this
> strategy. The K-12 Linux Terminal Server Project group[8] are also
> recording the extensive benefits of the thin-client approach. They
> have scores of real examples submitted from real schools by the
> people using it on the front lines.
>
> Organisations of schools and charities[9] have been springing up to
> take advantage of this newly publicised wealth of software.
> SchoolForge is one of the many alliances formed to give schools a
> running start in Open Source.
>
> ABOUT SCHOOLFORGE
>
> SchoolForge is a rapidly growing international coalition of over 70
> schools and education-related organisation dedicated to enhancing
> communication, sharing resources, and increasing the transparency of
> development in the area. As well as providing documentation and
> experience, SchoolForge can arrange to field volunteers to help
> schools and charitable organisations get started in the stable,
> secure, safe world of Linux.
>
> SchoolForge is always looking for new associates. The benefits of
> united and widespread negotiating power are considerable.
>
> ABOUT LEON BROOKS
>
> Leon Brooks[10] is computer consultant working from Perth, Western
> Australia. Operating through the consulting companies CyberKnights
> and Computer Clinic, Leon has worked with Open Source operating
> systems (including LTSP) and applications in a variety of
> businesses, private and State schools. Business is booming, and both
> companies are interested in adding talented local Open Source
> consultants to their teams. Leon also uses and recommends membership
> in the Perth Linux User Group. His business is 100% Linux and Open
> Source, and so (except for one Macintosh) is his household; there
> are Linux applications that his wife would fight to keep.
>
> FOOTNOTES/RESOURCES
>
> [0] http://www.schoolforge.net/
>
> [1] See http://www.linux.org/ - other good OS choices may be found
> at  http://www.freebsd.org/ http://www.openbsd.org/
> http://www.netbsd.org/
>
> [2] http://www.openoffice.org/ or http://www.koffice.org/ for
> excellent Open Source office suites; http://www.mozilla.org/ or
> http://www.konqueror.org/ for web browser suites; Mozilla or
> http://kmail.kde.org/ or
> http://www.ximian.com/products/ximian_evolution/ for email clients.
> There is an enormous list of Open Source applications at
> http://freshmeat.net/
>
> [3] For example, the copy at
> http://nl.linux.org/geldterug/license.html says "Microsoft may
> terminate this EULA [...and...] you must destroy all copies of the
> SOFTWARE PRODUCT and all of its component parts."
>
> [4] The original letter from Microsoft Peru taking issue with the
> proposed new law is at
> http://www.pimientolinux.com/peru2ms/alt_ms_to_villanueva.html while
> Congressman Núñez's response is at
> http://www.pimientolinux.com/peru2ms/villanueva_to_ms.html
>
> [5] http://www.microsoft.com/education/?id=DonatedComputers first
> Q&A question, as at 05 May 2002.
>
> [6] http://www.seul.org/edu/acpe2002.html including these notable
> quotes: `No one was talking about using software without paying for
> it. It's just that when they came face to face with the power an
> EULA gives MS, they saw things in a different light. MS software in
> schools was seen as a logistical and financial liability when
> compared with GPL licensed alternatives.' and `The Portland Public
> School switchboard was jammed for two days with calls from Linux
> users volunteering to come to PDX from all over the west coast to
> help with software migration.'
>
> [7] http://casestudy.seul.org/
>
> [8] http://www.k12ltsp.org/casestudy.html
>
> [9] Western Australia's Computer Angels[9a] already use Linux rather
> than risk being destroyed at the whim of a well-supported
> business[9b] as `PCs for Kids'[9c] effectively was late last year,
> and a similar organisation in New Zealand was in 1997[9d] - although
> their primary reasons for choosing Linux is that it provides
> computer literacy (as opposed to rote patterning with specific
> applications) far more effectively, and costs far less than
> available proprietary systems. Linux suppliers and users have a long
> tradition of supporting[9e] worthy organisations. Larger and
> American organisations are not immune, there's a long list of
> victims[9f], with only one fine under USD$50,000 and some exceeding
> USD$500,000.
>
> [9a] http://www.ca.asn.au/
>
> [9b] http://www.bsaa.com.au/
>
> [9c] http://www.pcsforkids.org/
> http://www.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/asia/08/09/aus.microsoftkids/
>
> [9d]
> http://www.idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/UNID/1B2EA829EEBB476CCC256A8F000AD1BE
>
> [9e]
> http://www.idgnet.co.nz/webhome.nsf/UNID/DC8B080246F1F98CCC256A940001A54C
>
> [9f] http://www.softwaremetering.com/fines.html
>
> [10] leon AT cyberknights DOT com DOT au;
> http://www.cyberknights.com.au/ leon AT cclinic DOT com DOT au;
> http://www.cclinic.com.au/ http://plug.linux.org.au/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> 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
>
>
>

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