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School Software Licenses Under Review

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the excuses-to-sit-in-a-circle-and-spend-money dept.

Tony writes "ZDNet asks the question: 'Does Microsoft Campus give good value for money?' Its good to see a review of the dominant software, but the review is likely to lead to no or little changes, so the real question would be 'Is the review worth the money being spent on it?'."

6 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. So many ways to measure value by svunt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Can you imagine a graphic design school that didn't own a Mac? As much as it displeases me, schools aren't really in the same position as businesses & individuals when it comes time to evaluate software choices. The reality is that Windows is 'industry standard', as is Office, for the bulk of jobs that students will end up wotrking at. Most students with their own computers also run Windows/Office, and need some interoperability. It's not really as simple as measuring costs, support, productivity. Which sucks.

    1. Re:So many ways to measure value by RJabelman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The reality is that Windows is 'industry standard', as is Office, for the bulk of jobs that students will end up wotrking at

      This has nothing to do with anything. If you used a computer in school, how similar was it to the one you use for your job today? When I was at school we used Acorn Archimedes....

  2. Re:Don't usually complain but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You claim to be a Slashdot reader, but first you actually read the article, and then you can't think of anything to discuss on the subject of whether Microsoft software is worth the money?

    You're no Slashdotter. Get back to Technocrat and leave us to our childish flamewars.

  3. Re:As an IT manager in a UK primary school... by TubHarsh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It is much easier for them if all the schools are running the same kit
    I would agree that it is much easier to support if all schools are running the same, but if they have to neglect other software concerns such as security, they should consider switching.

    In some colleges and universities in the US (which are also mostly in bed with Microsoft), IT managaers are switching pre installed web browsers on college ownewd computers to Firefox.

    In a few instances like Pennsylvania State Univ. telling Students to chuck IE, the school can even influence which software the students use.

    If the IT owners at these schools see a tangible benefit to switching from a Microsoft Product to a non-Microsoft Product they will do so.

  4. Mein Gott by The+Bungi · · Score: 5, Funny
    What a stunning, in-depth analysis of this ever-delicate issue. I'm back from reading the first two chapters, which seemed to go on and on, yet nonetheless were completely absorbing. Tomorrow I shall read the other nine, with a good cup of joe and some trail mix to keep me in top form. This is certainly one where we'll be calling "RTFA" for days to come!

    Certainly my heartfelt gratitude go out to the Slashdot crew - especially ScuttleMonkey, bless his heart - for linking to such an enthralling tome of uncompromising educational policy.

  5. Deceptive advertising by pubjames · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One thing that annoys me about this subject is the deliberately misleading Microsoft advertisements aimed at parents. The ones that imply, for instance, that Microsoft software helps children become creative musicians, when Microsoft doesn't have any music creation applications.

    I find it really outrageous that (in the UK at least) a big chunk of many schools IT budget goes towards Windows and Office, which are completely rubbish peices of software for educating young children. But the administrators don't understand much about computers, and the nice man from Microsoft is always taking them out to lunch, being helpful and giving them "special deals" which just happen to take up most of the IT budget...