Re: [seul-edu] MS offer

[Donald J Christensen <djc@cisco.com>]

Ed Sheridan wrote:
> 
> >> Best way to deal with this is to _not_ deal with this.
> 
> I agree that such offers are not free as in freedom, and that should be
> taken into account, but that doesn't mean that any such offer from M$ should
> be dismissed out of hand or simply ignored.

I disagree.  Such offers _should_ be dismissed out of hand.  Do you really
think MS is going to go to every school and make this offer?  Notice that
they asked about loading Linux on old computers.  Do you think MS would
extend this offer if you told them you were not planning on using Linux
at all?

So, I would advocate telling MS where they can stick their free copies
of old apps for old computers for purely altruistic reasons.  If even
half of the schools that are seriously looking at Linux are sidetracked,
then MS will have most likely mortally wounded the Linux EDU effort.

> Microsoft certainly realizes that if they lose the school market, they will
> really lose the war. When Linux on the desktop really becomes a threat, the
> first sign will be free software to schools, and not just old copies of
> Windows for Workgroups 3.11.  They simply cannot afford to lose the
> mindshare of young people.

And Linux supporters cannot afford to let MS continue to hold on to that
mindshare.

-Don

> These sort of offers from M$ are our opportunity to push for
> interoperability and open document standards. What good is "free" software
> for the school if the documents created in that software cannot be
> accurately rendered by OpenOffice?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Hornbaker" <chrishornbaker@earthlink.net>
> To: <seul-edu@seul.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 7:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [seul-edu] MS offer
> 
> > Okay, on a more serious note.
> >
> > Best way to deal with this is to _not_ deal with this.
> >
> > Even if they gave it away for gratis, doesn't mean the support will be,
> that is, if they offer any.
> >
> > Just my (real) two cents.
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 9 Oct 2002 18:33:35 -0500
> > "Dave Prentice" <prentice@instruction.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Hey guys,
> > >     Looks like MS is starting to pay attention to public concern. I
> > > got a very nice email from a lady who works for MS asking if I am
> > > still trying to load Linux on old machines at my school. It seems MS
> > > is now looking into making available OS's and Works for older machines
> > > in schools. She says she hopes it will be free, and wants to come
> > > visit. Comments?
> > > Dave Prentice
> > > prentice@instruction.com
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Christopher Hornbaker              Email: xion@openschooling.org
> > Founder of OpenSchooling           Jabber ID: hexCAESAR@jabber.org
> > http://www.openschooling.org       IRC Nick: hexCAESAR

-- 
Don Christensen       Senior Software Development Engineer
djc@cisco.com         Cisco Systems, Santa Cruz, CA
  "It was a new day yesterday, but it's an old day now."