Re: [seul-edu] very rough draft of "about schoolforge"

[milo <milo@fullsite.com>]

Yes I thimk this idea is the most promising of all.
The idea of a foundry where the educational open source developers
collaborate and
challenge each other is an exciting idea. It also gives schools an easier
ride in an unsure new world.
There are risks in using open source software if you are an IT manager.
A bad choice could bite you. ( come to think of it this happens with M$
software as well)
A place that provides an independant type of validation is just a good idea
and I think will further open source software faster than anything else. I am
not saying that Schoolforge take responsibility for this validation.
What Schoolforge in fact does is provide a system where schools can check if
software is working for others first.
I also believe that better collaboration between the developers facilitated
by a system like Schoolforge will provide opportunities to better provide a
total (thats an ideal) solution.  I can see lots of solutions out there and I
can see some that will work well with others and some that won't. I think
schoolforge should offer advice in this regard.
At the least it could be a one stop educational software shop. Before you go
the expensive way check out what else is available and what others have to
say about it.
I must say that  I have not really spent enough time looking at other peoples
projects.
I have now started doing this more. I spent a good deal of today checking out
MimerDesk (mimerdesk.org). I was impressed. It is a great collaboration or
community building tool for schools or educational communities (and probably
more).
Now which pieces fit with which pieces to try and offer a better total
solution to schools?

We all know linux is fantastic what else goes with it to make a robust and
sustainable school IT structure.

Myles O'Meara
schoolmation.net



David Bucknell wrote:

> Let me know if you don't like this type of angle. I'm in a hurry and will
> rework it and expand/finish it based on comments before re-presetning it.
>
> David
> ==
> About Schoolforge Network
>
> What is Schoolforge? Schoolforge is a foundry. It is where you will find
> the information, the tools and materials you need to "forge" or make a
> school and all its parts. All free for the asking (or download), and, in
> the future, international in content and character, schoolforge is not a
> place or an organization, but a cause, and a collection of people and
> projects dedicated to it: bringing quality, affordable and dependable
> software and teaching materials to the people who need them around the
> world. As such, it is not a "service" so much as
> it is a community focal point, which, as much as anything else, represents
> an opportunity to get involved in one of its aspects.
>
> Who is Schoolforge? The job we have set for ourselves is large, too large
> for any one person, group or organization. Furthermore, there already
> exist numerous individuals, companies and organizations and schools
> working
> on it. Schoolforge and the work it does comprise all of these efforts and
> provides them with a common entrace, by which they can discover, meet and
> collaborate with those of similar goals, and through which newcomers may
> discover each part or all of the world of free and open source solutions
> for education.
>
> What's in a Name? By "Piggy-Backing" on the free and open source software
> development site, sourceforge, schoolforge is conceived of as a site where
> schools can be developed. "What?" I hear you say, "You're going to build
> schools?" Not exactly. We're going to build what goes into a school,
> particularly, the software and other learning content that is needed by
> teachers and students to get on with their work.
>
> Where is Schoolforge? Schoolforge is at each of its supporters' sites,
> links to which are provided on our front page. More of a process than a
> location, schoolforge is also a new and still-developing idea, which may
> take roots in many places in the near future.
>
> How does it work and how can I join? Schoolforge works via the
> participating sites, their communities and communication methods, and by a
> mailing list, which we invite you to join (here).
>
> Comments and Questions?
>
> How did Schoolforge form? There were several identifiable causes. First,
> those working for free and open source solutions in education began to
> see, during the past year, that the time had come when our various efforts
> would either complement or compete with one another. We decided that
> working together promised more hope than did competition. Secondly, there
> is a shared sense among those in the community that a clear message about
> free and open source solutions is needed, and that clarity would be
> impossible without unity. Third, the proposed
> settlement of the US vs Microsoft trial, which appears to offer an alleged
> monopoly still more ways to further its grasp, the means being the
> placement of more Microsoft software in schools, galvanized the community
> into action. The establishment of the Schoolforge coalition is our first
> step toward providing an alternative to schools. Its work will be our
> next.