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OSSDI to Distribute OpenOffice.org in Schools

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the nothing-says-helpful-like-free dept.

Xampper writes to tell us that the OSSDI (Open Source Software Distribution Initiative) is a new organization that has cropped up to help not only spread the word about Open Source Software, but to help distribute the OpenOffice.org office suite starting with less fortunate school districts. The OSSDI describes their current status as still being in its "infancy as an organization. Because of this, all of our current resources are focused on gaining supporters, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. Plans are under-way for our first software distribution, but we must first cover our operating costs. We are also interested in becoming a registered not for profit corporation so that donors will receive tax breaks for their gifts, but the registration process can also be very costly and time-consuming."

4 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Come back when you've grown up by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Ok, your heart is in the right place, but you seem a bit unprepared. I mean, if you can't cope with the bureaucracy of registering as a non-profit, how are you going to cope with the bureaucracy of school management?

    1. Re:Come back when you've grown up by garcia · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I mean, if you can't cope with the bureaucracy of registering as a non-profit, how are you going to cope with the bureaucracy of school management?

      What's the difference if they do that or not? I'd rather have them be an unregistered social club that gets the job done than worry about being registered as a non-profit.

      Unless they are looking to avoid paying taxes and sales taxes, there shouldn't be a real need for that anyway.

  2. Why just Open Office? by planetmn · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I like the idea. Though it certainly is not going to be easy to find districts willing to install and support the software on their own if they don't have experience with it.

    But why just Open Office? Why not do something with (or like) Edubuntu, and distribute an entire platform that has the administration and management tools built in? People are definately hesitent to change, but if they are going to learn something new (in this case Open Office), it might be a good time for them to jump right in (especially if you, or a group of local volunteers can spend time training them).

    -dave

    --
    /., where "Apple and Google provide Iran with nukes" will be refuted with "But Microsoft is a convicted monopolist"
  3. Re:Distribution on CD? by lcsjk · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Give a person a CD and they will probably give it a try. Tell them that there is a nifty program on a website somewhere that they can download, burn to a CD and they will walk away and do it when they have time, which is never.

    Have you ever wondered why AOL sent so many CDs instead of telling people that the program is on the internet?