Re: [seul-edu] Good news and a request

[Gary Dunn <knowtree@aloha.com>]

On Wed, 5 Feb 2003 13:00:26 -0800
Jim Aird <jimaird@hometech.org> wrote:

> 
> On Wednesday, February 5, 2003, at 12:35 PM, Gary Dunn wrote:
> >
> > Don't underestimate the power of coordinating with local open-source
> > groups.
> And don't underestimate the difficulties OSS advocates can encounter 
> when dealing with school districts and individual sites.  The two 
> cannot be separated.  Schools have to spend their tech dollars in ways 
> where they can pay for a certain level of service.  Assuming volunteers 
> will be available is really out of the box for district tech 
> coordinators.

Here in Hawaii the high school marching band program is the success that
it is due to the unwaivering support of band parents. They do fund
raising. They travel with the band (paying their own way) as chaperones.
They rent the truck and move the big instruments for performances. They
manage the uniforms. (Pausing to catch breath.) Parents love to help.
Specialists love to help. The trick is in knowing how to cultivate and
direct the energy without alienating those who want to help.


> > Many members enjoy doing volunteer work at schools.
> Many members enjoy being paid for their services as well and have a 
> much shorter response time when there is a buck at the end of the stick.

Okay. If the band parents have the money they can contract for the truck.
If not, they will have to rely on Bill's cousin Bob, who thinks his will
be available that night. Money can be good, but enjoyment comes from
helping the kids, helping your school, contributing to the community.

> > Also, don't
> > underestimate the students' ability to install and administer these
> > systems. I want to see high school students running the school LAN,
> > and adopting neighboring elementary and middle schools on a for-credit
> > outreach program.
> However, students with admin logins ain't gonna happen.  

You and I disagree here.

> Confidential 
> files need to be kept that way.  

How do you propose maintaining confidentiality with non-student system
administrators? Access controls only create barriers to non-privledged
accounts. But back up a moment, exactly what confidentiatilty are we
talking about?

> I apologize for stating the obvious.

Don't be so sure.



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