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High School + Physics + Linux = ?
earlums25 asks: ""I'm a high school physics teacher stuck in a school where not only is Windows rampant, but the sysadmin isn't interested in alternatives. I want to present a case where my
students could use Linux boxes instead of Windows for the purpose of showing them there are alternatives. The major obstacle is that I haven't found software for Linux that would take the place of 'Precision Timer,' a piece of software that allows students to connect photogates through a Pasco 6500 interface. The software would need to recognize the input signal which comes in through the Pasco interface (a 1/4 inch plug connected the gameport), record time, plot data, print/save data and plots, and do basic calculation of speeds, accelerations, averages and standard deviations. Any ideas?"
I've written tons of drivers for little components like that. It shouldn't be too hard to do. The software on top of the driver is another story. It might take a while to implement depending on the feature set required.
A: 9.8 m/s^2
(rimshot)
Method of processing duck feet
Without sounding harsh, your OS is a means, not an end. Looking over the details again, you have an existing solution that a) works, b) is supported by your existing staff, c) is already paid for ... am I correct thus far?
... but she wanted to use a different brand of microscope to 'show the students that alternatives exist.' Probably tell her to go teach some biology after asking if she had entirely too much free time.
You are teaching Physics, so teach Physics. I agree with you, alternative OS's exist and are often viable, occasionally superior to what is being used but you are trying to impose your religious views (OS Holy Wars) on young impressionable minds (I commend you on that, get em while they are young) in a classroom completely unrelated to operating systems, computers, religious freedom, etc. Additionally, you are trying to shoehorn the new OS where it isn't an obvious (nor an excellent) fit - the tools are not readily available.
What would you say when the biology teacher came to you with the following dilemma - they already have microscopes, paid for, supported by the current staff, that are working
If you want to teach alternative OS's, offer to create a new class, or even an after-school workshop. That way you could dedicate the needed resources (your time, efforts) to the computer side without getting the Physics in the middle of it.
Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
I agree with your sentiment that it is good to show these kids that the world of computers does not equate to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Internet Explorer running on Microsoft Windows. Most ordinary computer users probably spend 90% of their time using these or some other small handful of apps, and it's easy to assume that's all there is to computers if you've never experienced anything else.
But, I don't think this is the proper setting to demonstrate this idea. The whole point of alternatives is choosing the best solution for the task at hand. Here you've got a case where the alternate tool does not have the necessary functionality, at least not without extra development work. It doesn't have support from any of the administation, and indeed would probably draw some degree of negativity. And it's not saving any money or other resources, because clearly the Windows PCs and their software have already been purchased, configured, and work just fine.
Don't force the square peg in the round hole. There are many times when the alternatives make sense, and this is not one of them.
What you should instead do is find a task to which Linux and free software are suited. Try having an assignment where the kids use Octave or gnuplot or something like that to analyze their data. Surely there's some task that would require the purchase of non-free software for Windows that can be done with free software on Linux. It doesn't even have to be a very involved task, but perhaps if you had the basic skeleton/framework script setup and the kids just enter their data and get an advanced analysis.
If it doesn't violate policy, offer to also let the kids use this linux computer in between classes or after school, to surf the web or type assignments or whatever. Surely you will get a few curious kids that want to screw around on it since it's different. A few might want to use it if other labs are full, or they don't have a computer at home, or it's simply convenient at the time, or whatever. Point is, they'll get some exposure even if it's not an integral part of the class (i.e., not driving your lab hardware.)