Re: (FWD) Re: Fw: RE: [seul-edu] Comprehensive Student Management

["Kevin Raybould" <kraybou1@midsouth.rr.com>]

I have to disagree with this - not because I don't believe in Open or Free
software  - I do whole heartedly.  Rather, I believe that we are coding,
designing, and advocating Linux use for the sake of children.  If we write
products that are not used, then we have helped no one.

  Yes, eventually, having a complete suite of educational tools (maybe even
a full distro?) tools to offer would encourage institutions to use Linux
wholesale.  However, I believe that will be a long process (not the least of
which due to the fact that we will need to convince teachers as a class that
Linux will make their classrooms better), and in the meantime, we would be
remiss in not trying to bring about an improvement in the current situation.

 A system that lives in the server closest only is not the optimal
solution - I agree.  However, if that system is used, and frees up resources
in hard pressed schools for better book, or improved infrastructure, or more
teachers, then it has served a very important purpose.

I apologize in in advance if I have misread anyone's position.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Dingledine" <arma@mit.edu>
To: <seul-edu@seul.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2000 9:04 AM
Subject: (FWD) Re: Fw: RE: [seul-edu] Comprehensive Student Management


> ----- Forwarded message from owner-seul-edu@seul.org -----
>
> Date: Sat, 02 Sep 2000 07:44:42 -0500
> From: Igor Tamara <j-tamara@uniandes.edu.co>
> Reply-To: ikks@bigfoot.com
> To: seul-edu@seul.org
> Subject: Re: Fw: RE: [seul-edu] Comprehensive Student Management
>
> I don't agree with you it's not simply the choice of an O.S., it' s a
> philosophy issue. If you show your students some moral values involved in
> the Free Software, you will be making a more human world, if your choice
is
> another O.S., you MUST tell them about the social impact of this.
>
> Are we choosing software simply because we need it? Are we not thinking
> about the world where our children will live? equality, open knowledge,
> cooperation, among others.  Are not those values more important than the
> software itself ?
>
> Just IMHO.
>
> "Michael S. Williams" wrote:
>
> > I agree with Kevin on this. My job is facilitate the learning process
> > not to ensure linux gets on the desktop.
> >
> > I am focusing on the back room and wiring closets because that is where
> > linux shines.  I like the idea of a web interface because  I don't lose
> > the money already invested in staff development.  We need programs that
> > are up to date, functional and easy to use:  Student Mngmnt, Library
> > Automation, Cafeteria Mngmnt and Accounting, hopefully SIF compliant( or
> > variation thereof). This would pave the way for linux on the desktops by
> > gaining the trust of administrators and teachers with functional, stable
> > tools.
> >
> > I also don't think I would switch all my desktops over to linux even if
> > I could, that would  limit the students exposure to technology on the
> > whole. They need to be able to make there own choices. I could see dual
> > booting and I love the idea of recycling old computers intoX terms, but
> > for some reason I am not comfortable with "world dominance " of *any* OS
> > ...or any other application  for that matter.
> >
> > Michael Williams
> > Network Admin/Tech
> > Haywood County Schools
> > http://www.k12linux.org
> >
>
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Igor TAmara Pati~o
> mailto:ikks@bigfoot.com
> http://members.bigfoot.com/~ikks
>
> ----- End forwarded message -----
>