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UK Schools Warned Off Microsoft Deal

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the do-not-sign-on-that-dotted-line dept.

rs232 sends in a BBC piece on the UK computer agency Becta advising schools against signing up for a Microsoft educational license because of alleged anti-competitive practices. "The problem was that Microsoft required schools to have licenses for every PC in a school that might use its software, whether they were actually doing so or running something else." We have discussed Becta's role in British education here several times as they have acted as a watchdog warning of perceived Microsoft excesses.

13 of 337 comments (clear)

  1. Sighing up by Mikelikus · · Score: 4, Funny

    For a minute there, I thought they were making some sort of metaphorical statement.

    --
    -- Would it be acceptable to just put my name on my sig?
    1. Re:Sighing up by pete-classic · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think they are subtly stating that MS spell check damages students' ability to spell.

      -Peter

    2. Re:Sighing up by SnoopJeDi · · Score: 2, Funny

      Probably a reference to the collective sigh of all /. readers after simultaneously wondering if the editors are illiterate, or if they simply don't read what they post.

    3. Re:Sighing up by phillips321 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I don't often comment, the beers I've drank tonight give me the confidence to say FU Microsoft. I've always dreamt of the day that schools widely adopt *nix as the primary OS, I didn't think I would be fortunate to see it in my lifetime but the way MS is acting gives me more and more security that before the day i die i might actually see *nix as a standard in British schools, smile to all:)

    4. Re:Sighing up by Lunzo · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was going to moderate the parent, but there's no "-1 Drunk Ramblings" option...

  2. Re:Linux by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hadn't thought to look for a touch typing tutor on Linux, but now I have and KTouch looks like it's pretty decent.

    What? The regular 'touch' command isn't good enough for you?

    --
    This guy's the limit!
  3. From TFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The UK computer agency Becta is advising schools not to sign licensing agreements with Microsoft because of alleged anti-competitive practices.
    [snip]
    A Microsoft spokesperson said: "We want to reassure our customers, partners and the education sector that it is business as usual."
    Indeed...
  4. Re:Hmm... again, the article is.... slashdotish by Foofoobar · · Score: 2, Funny

    MS has 2 kind of educational licenses...
    Yes, the 'give us your first born' and 'fork over your mortal soul' licenses
    --
    This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
  5. Re:Linux by chromatic · · Score: 2, Funny

    You have to lock Windows down to make it barely usable now?

    --
    how to invest, a novice's guide
  6. Bad idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Y hello thar, R U gonna cum over tonite?"

    Won't anybody PLEASE think of the children???

  7. Industry standards by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The education system has a responsibility to teach kids INDUSTRY STANDARDS. Microsoft products are the industry standard for almost everything a kid should learn about computers. From Word, Excel and Access to IIS, SQL Server and dotnet programming.

  8. Re:Linux by ozmanjusri · · Score: 2, Funny
    Haven't you ever known somebody who speaks mostly because they like the sound of their own voice?

    Haven't you ever heard of employees who denigrate a competitor's products?

    I doubt we'll agree on this, so let's be fair and split the difference. 50% astroturfer and 50% psycho?.

    --
    "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  9. no "-1 Drunk Ramblings" by Chrisq · · Score: 2, Funny

    It would have to come with a health warning: Three pints and a keyboard can severely damage your karma.