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Ditching Microsoft Could Save Education Millions

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the in-britain-only,-though dept.

ElvenMonkey writes "The Times Education Supplement has published the results of a BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Association, the Government's ICT agency) study, to be published next week, into the TCO of using Microsoft products compared to using Open Source products. The report shows an average saving of 24% per computer in schools using Open Source over those using Microsoft systems. Now if only the government wasn't insistent on locking schools into using Microsoft in arguably illegal ways."

2 of 383 comments (clear)

  1. The Microsoft Mafia by NatteringNabob · · Score: 5, Interesting

    At my son's school, there is a computer literacy test which students must pass to graduate. So what is the requirement for computer literacy? Writing a shell program? Creating a home page using HTML? Writing a business letter? No, of course not. The student must demonstrate that they know how to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel. I'm fairly certain that such a requirement would not hold up in court, but where did it come from in the first place?

  2. Re:After graduation by steveness · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Now our high school graduate applies for a job (with better interview skills)

    Can you use Excel?
    I can use several spreadsheet programs, and can even develop complex math functions.
    Can you use Word?
    I have experience with several word processing tools, and can help the company by ensuring that documents transfer well between programs.
    Can you use Windows?
    I have extensive experience with windows environments and graphical interfaces, and can even use a computer when those interfaces fail.

    Thanks, can you start Monday?