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Opinion: Why Schools Should Shun Microsoft | |
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| Time: 00:00 EST/05:00 GMT | News Source: NewsFactor | Posted By: Todd Richardson | ||
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U.S. public schools are in a lot of trouble, money-wise. Look at just about any public school system, and this is what you'll find: Our schools are understaffed, the teachers are woefully underpaid for the work they do and responsibility they shoulder, and there are chronic shortages of equipment and educational materials. Why, then, do we allow our schools to throw away money on unnecessary software license fees when there are free alternatives? Many problems that face public schools will be with us for decades as we try to sort out our collective priorities -- but this is a problem that would be an easy fix. It's time to dump Microsoft from the public schools and reclaim the monies we spend on licenses and continual hardware upgrades. It's time to put that money toward educating our students rather than enriching Microsoft's coffers. | ||
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| #1 By 1845 (12.209.152.69) at 2/12/2003 4:42:08 AM |
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This post was edited by BobSmith on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 04:42. |
| #2 By 2459 (24.170.151.19) at 2/12/2003 8:14:41 AM |
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It wouldn't really matter whether or not MS gives away the software/hardware. For most people, what they use in school has no effect on what they will use at home or work.
The PC (running Windows) will be the most likely choice for home/work computers for the same reasons it has succeeded in the past -- Large developer base and a large library of software, low cost of hardware compared to other platforms, more flexible/extensible hardware platform, greater availability, ease of use, greater compatability, more support resources, and (believe it or not) more games. Apple practically owned the education market for years and all it got them was near bankruptcy.Their computers were too expensive and the hardware too closed for them to gain any significant popularity among home users/businesses/developers. In middle school, on top of the usual Apples, there were C64 take-home systems. The PC remained the more popular system. It is totally false to think that users will automatically adopt the platform they are given in school. If they like another platform better, or their job requires them to use another platform, these are more likely the deciding factors. If the public school systems elsewhere are anything like the ones here (judging by #2, they are), MS shouldn't be the prime concern. Corrupt board members that are focused on taking money and leaving rather than trying to help improve the system should be the primary focus. |
| #3 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 2/12/2003 8:51:19 AM |
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"If I were Microsoft I woukd just give every school in america free licenses for the OS, Office and Development Products to the schools and with Bills generous giving why not make a deal with Dell and give them the Hardware too... I mean after all wont these kids grow up thier own computers someday hmmm I wonder what kind they would get... Which OS or PC would they fall for which one would they be Familiar with..
free free free a win win situation " Every seller of computing products on the planet would be suing Microsoft if they did this. TL |
| #4 By 14158 (170.12.2.132) at 2/12/2003 9:00:21 AM |
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When I went to school, we had Apple IIs in the classroom. After I graduated, I would have bought one if the price weren't so high at the time. If MS did give away it's OS and Office software to schools, it would definately benefit them in the long run. PCs are not priced like Apple and now Mac computers, so most people would stay with that which they have become familiar. Especially since it is affordable.
Just my $.02 |
| #5 By 6859 (206.156.242.36) at 2/12/2003 9:42:00 AM |
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Speaking of College and costs and value..
I saw a report that said that the major Ivy League schools, up until 1984, had a "plan" that encouraged keeping students in and graduating them regardless of their scores. For instance, Stanford had a policy that it was impossible to get a grade less than a "C." The initial cause was to keep students from having to go to Vietnam, but the policy wasn't changed until the war was more than a decade over. So, the moral is this (I guess): if someone went to an Ivy Leage school and their degree is dated from 1969 to 1984 it's worthless. Awesome. I can see wanting to keep kids from going to Vietnam (and possibly dying), but this is insane. Truly, the school system, including the advanced post-secondary schools, need an overhaul. It's not the system per-se, but the morons who impliment it. Another case in point: the Kansas Evolution debacle. Someone needs to appoint me in charge. I bet I could fix this crap in an afternoon provided I have complete dictatorial powers. |
| #6 By 7390 (63.211.44.114) at 2/12/2003 10:01:09 AM |
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Remember when MS tried to give free software to third world countries? Those whining "be-yotches" said that it was unfair, would stiffle competition and perpetuated MS's monopoly. Can you imagine if MS gave away free stuff to American schools? We would be in court forever (wait we are in court forever).
1. Also why just ban MS's product why should Apple escape from this? Don't they sell hardware and software to schools? 2. Wouldn't the cost of converation outway any possible cost savings? 3. So little Johnny has MS office at home and now we have spend money to retrain him on Star Office? (I know that is the same point as #2). 4. If wonder if this author ever heard of TCO? I am sure that we can show him some numbers that show MS products over the long hall may be cheaper than the "free" version. |
| #7 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 2/12/2003 10:01:36 AM |
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"Why, then, do we allow our schools to throw away money on unnecessary software license fees when there are free alternatives?"
First of all... it isn't FREE! And have you seen the IT Dept at these schools? Its pathetically equipped, and can't possibly support these oddball software programs. You know, its not like RedHat and Sun invented "unsupported software". Its been here for years... called FREEWARE. |
| #8 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 2/12/2003 10:52:58 AM |
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BTW, Drestin... "Oh god, yet another hippie writes."
What's with the name calling? "Simple. I want my kids and others to learn how to do things that will actually benefit them in the REAL world." Are you going to teach them how to run a porn site? |
| #9 By 415 (199.8.71.121) at 2/12/2003 3:12:53 PM |
| I know, almost for a fact, that Sodablue agrees with what Drestin just said. He's just in one of his "moods" today... ;-) |
| #10 By 6859 (206.156.242.36) at 2/12/2003 3:34:28 PM |
| If I ran a porn site, I'd have paid off my mortgage by now, I bet... |
| #11 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 2/12/2003 6:36:32 PM |
| IronCladLou - Yeah, I'm not saying I disagree with him, but I could certainly do without the moral authority arguments from a porn site operator. :) |
| #12 By 61 (65.32.170.1) at 2/13/2003 1:10:02 AM |
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I hate to say it, but the guy doesn't have a clue.
School systems don't get upgraded all the time (in fact, probably once every 5 years or so). They don't tend to spend very much money on client computers, licensing, etc... as compared to other things that they do spend money on. |
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