Re: [seul-edu] Draft Review

[Matt Drew <mdrew@redhat.com>]

thoughts:

2nd paragraph:  Viruses are a mostly Windows problem, but security 
issues are not.  It damages SEUL's/schoolforge's credibility with 
knowledgeable users and admins.

2nd paragraph:  I wouldn't try to tie in any other issues - the one at 
hand is licensing and donated computers, and bringing in viruses 
confuses people.

I think linking to the site and reproducing the relevant text would be 
very worthwhile.  That way, if they change it we still have the 
original, and we can note that they changed it when people noticed it. 
It would also be helpful to have links to the applicable EULAs (Win2k, 
WinXP, Win9x).

Here's the relevant portion of the Win2k OEM EULA:

*****

IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: This End-User
License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between
you (either an individual or a single entity) and the
manufacturer ("Manufacturer") of the computer system or computer
system component ("HARDWARE") with which you acquired the
Microsoft software product(s) identified above ("SOFTWARE
PRODUCT" or "SOFTWARE"). If the SOFTWARE
PRODUCT is not accompanied by new HARDWARE, you may not use
or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. The SOFTWARE
PRODUCT includes computer software, the associated media, any
printed materials, and any "online" or electronic documentation.
This EULA is valid and grants the end-user license rights ONLY if
the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is genuine and a genuine Certificate of
Authenticity for the PRODUCT SOFTWARE is provided with the
SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Any software provided along with the
SOFTWARE PRODUCT that is associated with a separate end-user
license agreement is licensed to you under the terms of that
license agreement. You agree to be bound by the terms of this
EULA by installing, copying, downloading, accessing or otherwise
using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. If you do not agree, Manufacturer
and Microsoft Licensing, Inc. ("MS") are unwilling to license the
SOFTWARE PRODUCT to you. In such event, you may not use or copy
the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and you should promptly contact
Manufacturer for instructions on return of the unused product(s)
in accordance with Manufacturer's return policies.

*****

This is very clear that the software can only be used with the original 
hardware, but says *nothing* about using the hardware with other 
software.  There are a couple of other portions that apply to re-using 
the software/hardware, but they are essentially the same.

It is important to understand that the mindset being presented here 
assumes that the Microsoft is the only operating system that anyone 
would consider.  I think the tone of the release is wrong, because it 
attacks Microsoft and is negative.

Spin it this way instead:

LINUX ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO USE DONATED HARDWARE

Microsoft says it is illegal for schools to use donated hardware without 
an OS license; Linux allows schools to bypass that restriction

Leon Brooks, a spokesperson for the Simple End User Linux group 
(seul.org), offered an alternative to schools who need to use donated 
hardware.  "This legal restriction applies only to Microsoft software," 
Brooks says.  "Open Source Software such as the Linux operating system 
can legally be run on donated hardware if all the previous software is 
simply erased.  There are no licenses, no restrictions on use, and there 
no hassle with Open Source Software."

etc ... etc

Don't spin it negative.  In my experience, people don't like negative, 
even if they agree with it.  Offer a new path, an easier path, and 
portray Linux as the better solution without using words like 
"draconian".  Link in the App list, plug the case studies, and provide 
links to schoolforge, etc.  Make the case on Linux's (ewwww) merits 
rather than Microsofts faults.  Don't let your anger and disgust show 
through, because it puts people off.  The part after the first two 
paragraphs does this very well, but most people won't read past the 
first two paragraphs when they see the anti-Microsoft tone and wording.

Matt

tom poe wrote:
> Hi:  I just put Leon's draft #2 up at:
> http://www.studioforrecording.org/mt/Pubdomain_Bread/index.html
> 
> and, I just can't help thinking this reads just right, and should be 
> publicized extensively.  It uses Leon's name, and it refers to Leon as 
> spokesperson for Seul.  With that in mind, I wonder if we should get some 
> sort of sanction, or approval, or go-ahead to try and get this out there in 
> the "wild".  How do we do that?  Is it as simple as Leon saying, one more 
> time, use it?  And Doug, saying, go ahead?  Please let me know what you think.
> Thanks,
> Tom Poe
> Reno, NV
> http://www.studioforrecording.org/
> http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
> http://renotahoe.pm.org/
> 



-- 
Matt Drew
Red Hat, Inc
Education Pilot Tech Coordinator
(919)880-7736 (cell)
(919)754-3700 x44194
mdrew@redhat.com