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How Schools Can Get Free Software

Posted by Zonk on from the free-as-in-both dept.

RicJD writes "The BBC is reporting on a school in England which has found a way to save money through Open Source Software. It goes on to explain the idea behind OSS, and briefly how they've incorporated it into the school system. Could this be the way to show the UK government that savings can be had through OSS?" Likely an adoption spurred by the education report we reported on earlier this year.

5 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. I for one, agree by Grep*coke* · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This sounds like the best idea an education system, whether it be the UK or the US, has ever had. All schools could save hundreds of dollars by using Linux instead of Windows, and it would give kids a better background. Also, it might encourage the development of more OSS by the students.

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    1. Re:I for one, agree by Approaching.sanity · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That is one of the more horrible things I think you could have said.

      IT is pervasive in modern society. It not only runs our work lives as a tool, it is also recreation and education. The more exposure you have to more kinds of software the better equiped you are to deal with more situations.

      If we use your arguement then we should not require all students to take science courses as they will not all be using the knowlege of what a mol is in their every day lives.

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      RTFA again for the best results.
    2. Re:I for one, agree by jbolden · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "HR drones" don't come from mars they come from the very school systems we are talking about. They believe that their job should involve pattern matching instead of understanding because non honors courses in school emphasize regurgitation instead of understanding (often the honors courses do as well).

      Correcting the use of Microsoft software and switching over to a Unix frame of mind could potential aid in fixing the larger problem.

  2. How Schools Can Get Free Software by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bit-Torrent?

    Oooooh you mean the other kind of free.

  3. Re:How Schools Can Get Cheap Software: by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 5, Funny

    There is a very, very real danger in students using free software- they may develop a crazy idea that information should be accesible to everyone, and reasonably priced and GASP even free!!!
    Next thing you know these crazy kids will be downloading free copies of Boy George hits, drinking excessive amounts of YooHoo, and having parties where more than 10 people watch a movie on DVD without paying royalties!!!!
    This needs to be stopped now! Ship windows! Ship windows!!!!!!! Why isn't Geldoff taking up this cause!

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    And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By