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Microsoft Ties $235m IT Aid To Use of Windows
E5Rebel writes "Microsoft will spend $235m in schools worldwide over the next five years, part of a plan to
triple the number of students and teachers trained in its software programs to up to 270 million by 2013. 'Microsoft's investment shows how important it views developing markets to its future business. Last year, Microsoft introduced the Student Innovation Suite, which includes the XP Starter Edition plus educational applications, for $3 for qualifying countries. Microsoft faces heated competition from companies supporting the open-source OS Linux and associated software in developing countries. "I think as a company we welcome choice," [Orlando Ayala] said. "Frankly, we welcome the competition." The company's educational funding comes with a hitch: "Of course, that includes the fact they [the schools] use Windows," Ayala said.' If you don't use Windows you don't get the cash." Microsoft has long been interested in the education of children.
it's where they get all their best ideas!
(calm down modders - it's just a joke)
This isn't aid, its a subsidy to grow the Windows market. Aid would be focused on the end-goal of the people, not on the end-goal of the company.
This is a blatant case of a monopoly subsidising to establish itself in emerging markets.
The NYT has a page that is still up
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
I saw something similar to this this weekend as I was riding a bus to NYC. A billboard in Delaware or some other state said "FREE $50 When You Join!" referring to a casino membership. But in very fine print (hilariously fine for the size of the billboard) it said, "Money must be spent inside the casino within a half hour of joining." I remember thinking to myself, that sure is free.
How free is something when you're told what to spend it on? How free is money when it goes into a fund that invests in the United States companies and stock markets and you can't control that fund?
My answer would be 'not very' but, you know, when you see these 'donations' from the rich like Bill Gates, that seems to be the case every single time. I'm glad they're getting something, I'm upset about the strings attached. Better than nothing, yes. But sounding more and more like a fishy tax loophole or legacy purchase (he'll go down in history as a philanthropist no doubt) every day.
My work here is dung.
It looks like they are giving free software and support valued at the overinflated prices Microsoft gets for there product. Using this metric, Ubuntu is also donating $235 million to schools, students, businesses and people. (Support via Ubuntu Forums)
I can afford that! It's less than a quarter!
(Hey editors, learn your SI: m means milli (1/1000). M means mega (1000000). SI is case-sensitive, just like Unix)
Or maybe I'm just being pedantic. Wouldn't be anything new for this website, though.
Here's the story, Yahoo!
A thistle is a fat salad for an ass's mouth...
Maybe they're giving out, oh I dunno, licenses for Windows and free copies that amount to that much money? What the fuck do you expect them to do, buy the equivalent value of Macs and give that instead?
Why is it a surprise they would only fund free training for their own software? I mean isnt that kind of a duh thing? Are linux companies sinister too now because they dont pay for free windows training for people who dont buy linux?
Isn't this pretty similar to what Apple was doing with schools back in the 80's?
Why wouldn't Microsoft offer support to Schools that teach Windows and not offer support to schools that do not?
This isn't some foundation it is a company. Sorry but this isn't shocking or news. Do you think Novell or Redhat would donate money to schools that teach Windows?
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
Isn't this sorta like those missionaries who will feed the starving if they convert?
It gets dark at night.
The simple truth is that interstellar distances will not fit into the human imagination
- Douglas Adams
once again microsoft is scorned by slashdotters for the same reasons that apple is praised.
Can I mod an article -1 Troll?
Use of Windows is declining amongst the computer literate. Is the next step in the MSFT strategy to begin subsidizing clay for teaching cuneiform?
I can smell the "innovation" already, pfft!
...Microsoft to pay for future customers.
;)
Which means they would have to increase prices for their software, which makes more people decide to use the free open source alternatives instead.
I just love it when a plan comes together.
muhahahahaha!!!
In 10 grants contingent on recipients of said aid only use it to purchase special Educational Grant Editions of my Ubuntu clone at a cost of $600,000,000,000 a piece. That way, I'm donating a huge amount, but I don't actually have to donate a penny (unless I'm off by a decimal place there).
On a more serious level, I could donate $1,000,000 to schools that could only be used to buy licenses of my slightly modified Ubuntu clone and never have to spend money - if they don't buy my licenses, they don't get the money; if they do buy my Ubuntu clone, I get the money back and maybe have to eat the cost of some CD-Rs.
"Donating" money that can only be used to purchase an intangible good (and software, other than the physical media, is intangible) from yourself is like donating nothing - especially when you're donating to people who wouldn't buy your product if it weren't being given to them.
What's going to really cook the noodle is how they came up with 'spending' 235Mil. Why not 250? How about 500? Did they calculate how many versions of Windows each potential customer will purchase in their life time and take inflation into account. Then figured that a 1 to 4 or 5 return value over 25 years isn't a bad investment after all.
I don't care for M$ either (while typing this on a M$ platform, necessary evil..blah,blah,blah), but you have to give them credit for trying to continue growing their customer base. They are in the business of making money (read not top quality software) and that is what they are doing. The schools do benefit some. And potentially the local tax payer since the bill is not flipped by them.
There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.
if you can't beat your competition, buy them out. if your user base drops, buy them too.
Microsoft faces heated competition from companies supporting the open-source OS Linux and associated software in developing countries.
Microsoft isn't confronting competition in these targeted regions, they're confronting rampant piracy of their OS. They figure it's better to get $3.00 per copy than nothing.
"Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
What if they buy VMWare and run Linux with that?
My answer would be 'not very' but, you know, when you see these 'donations' from the rich like Bill Gates, that seems to be the case every single time. I'm glad they're getting something, I'm upset about the strings attached. Better than nothing, yes. But sounding more and more like a fishy tax loophole or legacy purchase (he'll go down in history as a philanthropist no doubt) every day.
It's a way to screw with sales numbers. They give away money it looks good. They sold another 50,000 copies of windows it looks good. If they just gave away Windows, it only looks half as good since the sales numbers won't increase from the donation.
Why would any decent school system accept an offer for a severely crippled OS at a severely discounted price when the school could just as easily get a full-featured OS for free?
If this is the best Microsoft can do to compete against free operating systems in the developing world, then they are throughly screwed. Even using an illegal full copy of XP would be a smarter decision than taking up this offer, despite the inherent liability involved.
"If you don't use Windows you don't get the cash."
This is a great message to send to kids. Excellent lesson in early childhood corporate corruption.
"The schools do benefit some." How is that? It just means that they'll likely forego decent comparison of operating systems and their total cost of ownership. Remember, the Windows license is just the start, they'll also have to factor in the cost of managing the systems, troubleshooting, and eventually, the cost to upgrade all their Microsoft applications because of security issues and vulnerabilities. This stunt just delays the inevitable. "as a company we welcome choice" [Orlando Ayala] ...and that's why we give them the choice to use any OS as long as it's Windows.
The writeup leaves much to be desired. Microsoft is giving free support for its own software -- certainly not a crime, and certainly something they'd be interested in doing (I somehow doubt they'd give support for Ubuntu and OpenOffice). This is no different than Norton offering free support for their product, but not offering it for AVG. No, it's not a humanitarian effort, it's them trying to lock in their monopoly -- something that most of us don't like, but something that's in their best interests, and isn't illegal by any means. I'm not a big fan of Microsoft, but it would be nice to have legitimate criticism of them.
More like 'Student Inoculation Strategy': Prepare kids' immune systems as early as possible for a lifetime of MS bloatware; inoculate the young minds from all Windows & Office usability issues, grooming a whole new generation of narrow-minded corporate drones with a "that's what we're familiar with/ that's what we've always used/ everybody else uses it too, so.." ignorant, conformist and sceptical-of-change mentality.
Or is it me who's gone all sceptical?
"He Who Dares Wins"
Possibly - until you realise Apple didn't have an OS monopoly.
Yay, Microsoft.
With this, as long as they don't add stipulations that exclude other applications and OS's. As long as the aid moneys/software/training is not used to finance other applications and such, then this is not a big deal, but if they say you can only get the "aid" if your environment consists only of MS products, then I have a major problem.
I came, I conquered, I coredumped
I wonder whether slashdotters know that western governments' dollar aid to needy countries is tied to these countries purchasing hardware and technical services from corporations in their countries. It does not matter whether the beneficiary country has better technocrats who know the [local] language and are ready to deliver cheaply and immediately.
I guess Microsoft borrowed a leaf from the USA. Sadly, the results of this practice have been very dismal and not those one can be proud of. They continue to do the same after all, there is a saying that goes..."a beggar has no choice...!"
I know your type. MICROSOFT KILLS BABIES!!! Yeah, well, they're a company, don't act like you're surprised.
News flash: Incorporation does not automatically remove ethical responsibility.
Aside from that, in case you're the cynical type who views "doing the right thing" as a bleeding-heart, touchy-feely concept that has no place in a cold, capitalist world, try this: Free press and goodwill.
I should also point out that there are corporations which genuinely do just give, without necessarily a direct ulterior motive. Google's Sumer of Code is a good example.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
I seem to remember that along with using an existing monopoly to leverage one of the illegal sides of monopoly is the concept of predatory pricing, i.e. deliberately pricing a product well below it's market value in order to strike down a competitor.
With the cost of Windows as it is, "giving" software to schools along with a condition that they must be using Windows is about as predatory as you can get. What's the EU's phone number again?
Hmmmmmm..... Deep fried and look like Squirrel.
Lunix is a cut-down unixoid operating system for the C64. Did you mean linux, perchance? Either way, you're (a) wrong and (b) an asshole.
It doesn't cost Ubuntu anything (in practical terms) to do that. It does cost Microsoft to do that. Microsoft pays people to work for them. Time absolutely is money.
The difference being, of course, that people have to actually be willing to pay money for your product. Which is something Ubuntu can't boast... as has been proven all over the world, like in China, or Poland, or anywhere else. People would rather STEAL Windows than use Teh Lunix FOR FREE. Look at ANY country with high software piracy. Everyone STILL uses Windows.
Er... that undermines your argument. People in these countries aren't willing to pay money for windows, and they certainly aren't willing to pay over-inflated retail prices for windows.
But given a choice between not paying to use windows and not paying to use linux they choose to not pay to use windows because its what everyone else is using.
Microsoft seems to be operating under the same deluded stereotype that many people have about the developing world:
<stereotype>
- They're desperate for help
- They're take any help they can get
- They'll be thankful and greatful for the help
- They'll be loyal to whomever gave the help
</stereotype>
The reality is this: People are people. No matter where you go, they are always the same. Sure, they have different foods they eat, different religious trappings, and different customs about who's allowed to do what when to whom for how many cookies. Basic human nature however is absolutely no different between America and India. (I should know, I've lived in both places for multiple years.)
In China, Christian missionaries tried to convert some Chinese to Christianity. The Chinese were very enthusiastic about this conversion, and tried to pick up as many English language skills as they could. After learning enough English, they'd stop visiting the missionaries.
In India, Christian missionaries were paying(!) Indians to convert from the Hindu religion to Christianity. Indians were very enthusiastic about this conversion. After getting a dunk in the water and ~$1 USD (for the really poor, enough to buy food for the family for a couple of days), the whole Christianity thing was quickly forgotten by those who attended. The government was in a bit of an uproar however, as it threatened to throw a lot of "scheduled caste" stuff out of whack had it been anything more than a passing fad.
Microsoft thinks it can donate some equipment and get some future loyalty to Windows out of it? Hah! They are in for a surprise.
Please note, I'm not saying that helping people is bad. I'm saying that having an ulterior motive for helping people is unwise, and usually won't get you what you truly want. (Especially people in the developing world, who are remarkably efficient at identifying and making the best use of limited resources.)
You know, this wouldn't have happened without Linux. They'll charge as much as they can get away with. I guess they are starting to see real competition.
Watch were you point that thing*, dude. This is slashdot, someone might get hurt.
*And by "thing", I mean "logical, sensible statement".
This is an example of how evil Microsoft is. They'll donate some "thing" only as long as it contributes to their business. Why this is wrong is pretty subtle. They have no intention of saving anyone any money. Typically with contributions, the outcome is a net gain for the organization receiving the contribution. Not with this deal, this will be a net loss for the schools receiving the "grants." Only the costs will be differed.
The "training" microsoft is talking about is their typical "training" where general concepts and understanding is not part of the instructional course except where necessary to use their product. If you have ever taken any Microsoft training courses you'll know what I'm talking about. A networking class is not about networking, but about "their" networking tools.
I have taken a couple Microsoft courses for various reasons, and have always come away saying (1) that was a huge waste of time. (2) It was like a big commercial for Microsoft products. (3) It was useless in any practical sense.
Now, all these nicely trained people aren't going to be looking at the cost-saving alternatives like OpenOffice and/or Linux, nope, they'll be revved up to buy MS Office and Windows (because that's what they were trained on!)
My Advice, when Microsoft offers you anything for free, turn it down, because it will always end up costing you.
[
Last year, Microsoft introduced the Student Indoctrination Suite, which includes the XP Stuckwithit Edition plus educational applications, for $3 for groveling countries. Microsoft has avoided competition from companies supporting the open-source OS Linux and associated software except in countries which can be bought off. "I think as a company we welcome choice," [Orlando Ayala] said. "Frankly, we welcome the competition, we just don't like other people trying to take our business." The company's educational funding comes with a hitch: "Of course, that includes the fact they [the schools] use Windows," Ayala said.' You don't think we're doing this for good of the students do you?.
This is pretty much the deal they have been giving public libraries for a long time now.
Give $235 Million worth of hardware w/ Linux installed and quit complaining.
You can only buy red meat sold by vegetarian farmers born on the third sunday after the second full moon. BTW this is my cousin he meets the criteria...
-- I am the NRA, enough said...
Considering MS is already talking about Vista's replacement next year with Windows 7, is anyone else shocked that they are continuing to put development resources into XP?
Support Right To Repair Legislation.
I am reminded of that Simpson's episode with the Oscar Myer periodic chart with "bolognium" and "delicium."
I think schools should turn this msft "gift" down. There is nothing that msft is offering, that does not have a free alternative.
I am sure a lot of people will label me a linux zealot. But the truth is, I completely understand that linux is not for everybody. But schools are a different matter. Schools should teach vendor-neutral concepts. Students should not be taught that vendor specific jargon and standards are somehow universal. For example, what msft calls a "domain" is different than what is commonly understood. I already notice a lot of students thinking that anything non-msft is non-standard.
Unlike commercial institutions, students do not have the same concerns about the acceptance of vendor specific document formats. For example, some accountants will only accept Intuit formated income statements - so some small businesses have to use Intuit, but students should be able to learn the concepts of accounting, and accounting concepts, without being tied to a specific vendor.
Again, I want to emphasize: students should be taught *concepts* then those concepts can be applied to software from any vendor. Schools should not be in the business of promoting a particular vendor - especially if that vendor does not offer anything that is that freely available anyway.
Sometimes it is very difficult to avoid vendor-lock, but for students, it's easy. So why be vendor locked if you don't have to be?
Microsoft pelus! Linux yeset dop!
Let me see now. 270 million newly trained people for Microsoft applications. $235 million dollars being spent to train up said people. Cost of training 1 person $870 thousand US dollars.
I prefer alternatives to Microsoft applications, but if Microsoft would just pay me the $870 thousand US dollars to me directly I would gladly learn all the Microsoft applications. No one said I had to continue using them after I learned to use them.
Regards,
Ryan Pritchard
Fun Extends All Basic Life Expectancies
'"The schools do benefit some." How is that? It just means that they'll likely forego decent comparison of operating systems and their total cost of ownership. Remember, the Windows license is just the start, they'll also have to factor in the cost of managing the systems, troubleshooting, and eventually, the cost to upgrade all their Microsoft applications because of security issues and vulnerabilities. This stunt just delays the inevitable. "as a company we welcome choice" [Orlando Ayala] ...and that's why we give them the choice to use any OS as long as it's Windows.'
So you are telling me that they do not benefit at all? I did say some. Yes, they are potentially losing a lab with multiple OS types that they can tinker with, but I'm not sure if the clauses that come from MS state that they cannot have any other OS in the school. And if a school deployed a linux desktop, there would be cost of systems management and troubleshooting (sic). Where are your savings again? As for 'upgrading' because of security reasons, are not patches included with the MS license?
And don't forget how many educational programs are only windows capable (99% perhaps). If a school was to switch to a linux desktop, they would still have to pay for those programs regardless of the desktop OS. I'm purposely leaving OSX out of this discussion since they would cost even more as a desktop implementation.
I don't like MS as much as anyone. However, their desktop does have it's place in many institutional environments. (please read desktop, not server) Can a linux desktop do the same thing without license fees. Sure it can. But how many of the norms are willing to switch.
There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.
Anyone else notice a pattern here? Microsoft has to buy the votes of standards committees, now Microsoft has to buy customers for its software.
"Microsoft will spend $235m in schools worldwide over the next five years, part of a plan to triple the number of students and teachers trained in its software programs to up to 270 million by 2013."
So, does that mean it costs close to $1 million to train each user? (ok, if I do the math it's something like $870,000)
Here I thought writing software was where the good money was.... silly me...
"Frankly, we welcome the competition." -- Orlando Ayala
Allow me to translate that newspeak to English: "Frankly, we detest competition and will go to any lengths to end it."
Have you got your LWN subscription yet?
"It shop class, should the teacher teach the student about the concept of a screwdriver because the teacher doesn't want to be tied to a specific flat-head screwdriver"
I am sorry, but that is an absurdly weak analogy. Using one vendor's screw driver, over another, does not teach students that only one vendor does things the correct way. One screw driver is used just like another.
"Microsoft is basically giving away licenses to schools so students can learn. Why is this so bad?"
It is not so bad. But schools, and especially students, would be much better served if they taught vendor-neutral concepts, instead of working to increase msft's illegal stranglehold on all IT standards. Especially since locking students into the msft-only mindset does not save the schools even one thin dime.
I agree that OSS will play a significant role in servers and enterprise in the future. This does not mean one has to be proficient with OSS to work in the field. People specialize in one or two niches in a field. They may be very very good at what they do and get paid well for it, without ever mastering OSS.
I am personally a Jack of All Trades, with the required "Master of None". I have not specialized, and enjoy learning technology, not excluding Microsoft products. I actually enjoy integrating OSS and Windows. I have successes and failures at it, but I always come away having learned something. I am not an expert, but I am a professional. I get paid to do this.
I occasionally try new food, but at some restaurants I have definitely specialized in a particular meal. Sometimes a known quantity/quality is better than the unknown. Damn, if I keep talking like that, I could work in HR!
I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
Microsoft did something similar with the libriaries here, so assuming the clauses are similar, and my sources are correct (by no means ceratain),, then no, this only affects machines bought with the money MS gives them. That said, the terms the library tells me they're under are pretty onerous, right down to requiring that IE be the only web browser. (The library puts up with it, because the last time they had a budget for new patron systems, it was the nineties).
*ponders convincing somebody to give them a few gPCs to replace the win 98 machines...
I read the article to see if this was spelled out. Nowhere did it specify whether the schools just had to have the required software needed for the training, or could not have anything else.
Do you suppose the trainers will show up, find an old computer running Linux in a back closet, and immediately pack up and leave?
I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
The correct term here is indoctrination not education - fixed that for ya.
I believe the strategy here is to get them started on Windows when they're young, so they'll be users forever -- just like cigarettes...
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Excuse me, AC is right here, 'm' == 1/1000 according to. Of course the milidollar, as the megadollar or the kilodollar, are muck units but "you also don't know what the fuck you're talking about" is unwarranted and mean.
Summarily:
You must be a riot in parties.
But... the future refused to change.
Only problem I have with this. If you tie a "charitable" contribution into a requirement that the beneficiary uses your product, you should get ZERO consideration for it at tax time. It must not be both a charitable contribution and a marketing or sales campaign. Choose one or the other.
-fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
No text
Yeah, I should have heard the whooshing sounds going over. Time to get some sleep .
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
They've not got to SUPPORT linux running on donated hardware. They don't get fewer sales because of schools using Linux (or they lose $3 per sale but don't have to package, send and so on).
So how does it hurt for MS to give hardware and for it to be used on, ooh, OS/2?
When I work for charity, I can't sit at home and enjoy a movie. That hurts.
... this would run afoul of anti-trust laws. Surely.
Microsoft providing free Microsoft software for lock-in reminds me of infant formula companies providing free formula to developing countries so that people won't realize that there is a free, superior and natural alternative: breast milk. It took a great deal of initiative to overcome the powerful propaganda machine of the wealthy companies.
Nowadays people recognize issues behind a company trying to give "aid in the form of free infant formula" to poor countries, and no longer say, "Wow, what an altruistic and heroic company!" People aren't savvy enough yet to do this with software, but I hope that the FOSS movement can continue to promote this awareness.
Please keep up the momentum, my fellow Slashdotters.
404555974007725459910684486621289147856453481154 in hex is "You sank my Battleship?"
[GPG key in journal]
...Part of a plan to triple the number of students and teachers trained in its software programs... This would be fantastic if people were actually taught how to use the software properly. However, I'm guessing the acutal implementation of this program is going to discount licensing fees to schools, without teaching anyone how to actually use a word processor or a database properly.This is quite brilliant, really. Using charitable (and thus tax-free) dollars to promote your product.
That practice should be illegal (if it isn't) for non-monopolies, and it sure as hell should be wildly illegal for a monopoly.
If this (or other similar activities like buying Windows and donating it) is done through the Bill & Melinda gates foundation, it should lose its charitable organization designation, and pay corporate taxes for such corporate promotion activities.
Watching from Canada (all tucked away down there), it's hard to think anything other than the fact that the government is clearly owned (figuratively, if not somewhat literally) by Microsoft...
Love many, trust a few, do harm to none.
The Chairman of Microsoft Africa Zone, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, has said his company would soon develop and launch a communication satellite for Africa [part of] the company's commitment to provide a fast Internet connection to meet up with the continent's ever-increasing use of Information and Communication Technology, ICT. {The satellite would,] to a larger extent, serve in the transmission of mobile phone signals as well as radio and television, thereby improving communication within the continent and beyond. Microsoft and the University of Yaounde I [have signed an agreement] to lay the groundwork for development of the [satellite]. Cameroon: Microsoft Partners With Schools for IT Development [Dec 21, 2007]
[Microsoft] Faculty Connection [ introduced at the first ever Microsoft Academic Day in Lagos] is a resource for technology news, customisable courseware, access to the latest Microsoft technology and faculty-only community forums for like-minded academic professionals. A number of higher education institutions, including the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan and Nnamdi Azikiwe University are already receiving the benefits which are part of the IT Academy programme, including training, certification as well as access to the latest Microsoft Official Curriculum and technologies.
On the Imagine Cup Competition, Szenvedi said that Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, passion and creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world today. He added that Nigerian students who competed in this year's edition developed applications that were world-class. Nigeria: Microsoft's Faculty Connection [January 16, 2008]
I'm purposely leaving OSX out of this discussion since they would cost even more as a desktop implementation. That's curious, because it has been shown time and again that Apple computers have a lower total cost of ownership. Sources: http://www.networkworld.com/best/2006/022706bestbreaker-schwartau.html, http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=22738, http://www.cio.com/article/127050/Eight_Financial_Reasons_Why_You_Should_Use_Mac_OS.
What concerns me are the ducks being lined up:
Novell
Xandros
Linspire
and others
Which have entered into agreements with Microsoft and some (Xandros and the EEeePC , or whatever its called -and- Linspire and computers at Sears) of these are launching into stores since the Dell/Ubuntu efforts launched by the most noble Mark Shuttleworth. With people buying these Xandros/Linspire machines, is there a Microsoft tax involved? Can we expect more companies to join Microsoft and sell Linux? Should something bad happen and the Ubuntu well dries up, will Microsoft retract the Microsoft-pact Linux offerings? We know what happened to Corel Linux after Microsoft came in.
As the entire IT department for my small school, I exclusively use OS OS's for my servers: Three freebsd boxes for file server, data server, backup (at the other end of the building) and an OpenBSD box for my firewall.
Periodically I look at using freebsd or linux on the desktop, but end up turning it down, as a huge increase in complexity.
We have two applications at present that require winsnooze or mac to run. One is "The Learning Equation" which is a grades 7 through 12 set of math programs. The other is "Accelerated Reader" which basically acts as a record keeper/testing progress program for running a recreational reading program.
Accelerated Reader REQUIRES adobe acrobat reader for the reports. It doesn't require a pdf reader, it requires AAR. Further not just any version of AAR. Has to be either 5 or 7. And it does this by checking registry entries. Yes I've written to the company. It also requires flash. AR works. We have kids who never read a book before they came here now reading books for pleasure.
TLE may run under wine. Haven't tried it. Somehow I don't think that wine running on a 64 MByte 500 MHz PC will have reasonable performance. Correct me if I'm wrong.
TLE only sort of works. Most of our teachers find that it has a few strong points for illustrating concepts that are hard to do on a whiteboard, but it is ineffective at presenting new material, giving practice in using it, or assessing mastery of it.
The problem is more fundamental. Educational software is expensive. I told one software company this, and came back with surprise: "It's not even $30 per seat!"
I pointed out that their particular package could only be used for about 6 hours of instruction during a course. A textbook, on the other hand, was typically used for half an hour a day in class, and another half hour to hour for homework. The TCO of a textbook worked out to being under 25 cents per instructional hour. If we use the same 5 year schedule for software it works out to about a buck an hour, not counting time for maintenance. I told him that I want educational software that could compete with a textbook.
Worse than this, however, is that using ed software is much like bringing auxilary materials into the classroom. It makes a nice change, but you can't base a course on it. As far as I've been able to find, no one has a completely computerized math curriculum. That is, a system that would be suitable for home schooling, distance learning, or self taught student.
What OS education needs are good authoring systems for educational software -- A system that enables a good teacher to create a 'smart textbook'
Third Career: Tree Farmer Second Career: Computer Geek First Career: Teacher, Outdoor Instructor, Photographer.
Does it mean having the software physically on the premises? Use it for foundations. Does it mean having a certain number of hard disks with Windows on them as the OS? Dumpster diving, ebay, and the old janitor's closet can take care of that. Does it mean having the copy of Windows within a certain distance from the students? Under the floorboards counts, right?
Are they mandating that the students be forced to sit and use a Windows machine for a certain amount of time per day? Are they mandating what the student-facing interface has to look like?
It seems that for any condition set, there would be a way to get around it. Lawyers at dawn and all that.
This is clearly the case here
Cant such companies compete with the collective minds of talented programmers ? What use are the billions they say they invest in R&D ? Lawyer & litigation fees ?
FYI, XP, and later Vista, is only an aggregation of ideas pioneered in several Open-Source, Linux-originated products :
- Gnome, for its elegant UI
- Enlightenment, for the visual effects
- Compiz, or whatever it was named back then, for the 3D-desktop
Not to mention the original Windows UIs, stolen from the Xerox labs and MacOS designs--
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