[seul-edu] Fwd: Re: Linux

[Michael Hall <admin@mulga.com.au>]

I've just received this update on PCs 4 Kids from founder/president Colin Bayes.
It would appear something of a move to Linux is underway, but the lower end
machines still present a problem. Would anyone with more knowledge about
Tiny, Debian Jnr or any other possibility care to contact Colin?

Mick

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------
Subject: Re: Linux
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 23:01:55 +1000
From: "Pc's for Kids Inc" <admin@pcsforkids.org>


Evening Micheal,

Thanks for the email,

Yes we are still fighting, this is the latest offer from the Press below.

We have just had 4 techs attend a full days Linux training, we are now
looking at the 486's and low end Pentiums we offer and I will let you know.

I feel mixed on the whole issue.

1. We do need to keep the Boxing Gloves on with M$
2. We need to address our core objective (Kids)
3. The Linux Community worldwide is wait our next move.

To answer your Q?

I think our meeting with our Board Wed this week will give to OK to continue
with our efforts to serve Kids.

We do need M$ for the older systems, (Dos 6.22 and Win 3.11) for some reason
we are unable to solve the Linux on many older systems with little Processor
and Ram or HDD space, but we are trying hard.

I feel the kids need to look at Linux or other Open Software and later this
week I will ask you to distribute a Press Release Statement so we can open
M$ eyes up more. Also I have just received an email from the US stating that
Bill is watching this issue very close now.

One thing I have learnt from this wole issue is the Kindness of the PC
public and the support letters.

The latest tally is:

8,619 emails

29 For Microsoft
8,396 For Pc's for kids
The balance having a each way view.

With this much support I think it time to open up the Web Site and give the
world some of the Press thats been reported and the comments....
Keep in touch.
Regards.
Colin.

COMPUTING


Liberals back charity against Gates
By Megan McAuliffe, ZDNet Australia
02 August 2001





The Victorian state government is being urged to assist PCs for Kids in its
ongoing dispute with Microsoft over copyright laws.
Microsoft is claiming its inability to assist the charity to provide
refurbished computers to disadvantaged children comes down to copyright laws
in Australia, which prohibit the issue of a "Refurbished License".

The Victorian Shadow Minister for Communications, Victor Perton, however,
has quashed this claim, saying Microsoft as owners of the intellectual
property, "can license it anyway they see fit."

"My understanding is that Microsoft already have a "refurbished license"
program set up in the United Kingdom. It's not a matter of law that prevents
them from permitting the [re-use of its software]," Perton said.

Bayes says, "the benefits of a refurbished license would see our program
continue and also assist in addressing the massive amounts of redundant IT
equipment that is and will continue to be deposited into our landfill."

The ongoing battle between Microsoft and PCs for Kids over software licenses
has been brought to the attention of the Liberal Opposition Party in
Victoria, which is calling on the Labor government to step in and solve the
problem.

After hearing both sides of the argument, Perton says, "with Microsoft
talking the language of a big global organisation and the charity talking
the language of a small non-profit" an interpreter needs to be present to
bridge this particular digital divide.

Perton told ZDNet that it's difficult to resolve whether the software giant
is "handicapped" by international corporate policy, or if it has doubts
about being able to keep an audit on the charity's donations.

Perton believes that if it is a question of keeping track of how many
refurbished computers PCs for Kids is donating to charity, the state
government should be able to assist in an inventory trail.

"I think it's unreasonable that Microsoft is refusing licenses for Windows
3.1 and Windows 95. I wouldn't have thought it was hard for them to provide
a master disc," Perton said.

"What troubles me greatly is this arrogant assertion that its old systems
are not appropriate anymore,"

"It's a Pentium or nothing according to their charitable guidelines," Perton
said.




----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Hall" <admin@mulga.com.au>
To: <admin@pcsforkids.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 7:51 AM
Subject: Linux


> G'day Colin:
>
> This is just a quick note to ask how things are progressing with PCs 4
Kids,
> whether the project is still fighting on, and whether you've investigated
using
> Linux any further.
>
> Your plight has made news in some international Linux/open source forums
and I
> believe you are probably getting some feedback from Linux groups in the US
and
> perhaps elsewhere.
>
> Did you contact the Melbourne Linux Users Group or
www.computerbank.org.au?
> Again, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help.
>
> Anyway, please let me know how things are going and if you require any
advice
> or assistance with a move to Linux.
>
> Mick
>
>  --  Michael Hall
> mulga.com.au
> admin@mulga.com.au
> ph/fax (+61 8) 8953 1442
> ABN 94 885 174 814
-------------------------------------------------------

-- 
Michael Hall
mulga.com.au
admin@mulga.com.au
ph/fax (+61 8) 8953 1442
ABN 94 885 174 814