Re: Spreading the word (was Re: [Fwd: Re: [seul-edu] Want to presentat LINUXWORLD NY/2002?])

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

> > 4) No "boxed software" to load in the classroom.
> >
> 
> This is a perceptual problem, I think.  We should try to turn this argument on
> its head by asking just what type of applications they want in the classroom,
> and then pointing out that such apps (if it's true) are freely downloadable and
> installable from the internet.  And that if the apps don't exactly meet their
> needs, they're able to change them to do so, or to ask the maintainers of the
> apps to make such changes for them.

This is simply not practical for anyone but a Linux enthusiast. People who
don't already know and use Linux can't and won't download and install apps from
the internet, let alone change them themselves. Asking maintainers to change
apps is not a very sure way of getting what you need when you need it.

I believe that a school distribution needs to be developed ... put the CD in,
load the distro, use it ... no mucking around. It has to be that easy if anyone
but the converted is going to use Linux in a big way. Being Windows and
Mac users, most school people (including many IT coordinators) know very
little about computers. At least, that's my perspective as a primary school
teacher in Central Australia.

-- 
Michael Hall