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Free Software For All Russian Schools In Jeopardy

Posted by kdawson on from the borg-not-taking-it-lying-down dept.

Glyn Moody writes "Last year, we discussed here a Russian plan to install free software in all its schools. Seems things aren't going so well. Funds for the project have been cut back, some of the free software discs already sent out were faulty, and — inevitably — Microsoft has agreed to a 'special price' for Windows XP used in Russian schools."

4 of 265 comments (clear)

  1. Re:In Soviet Russia by mR.bRiGhTsId3 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Your ROI calculator is broken. There was no investment in the case of the teacher who pirated (cuz he pirated), thus, there can be no return on said investment.

  2. Re:We need free books first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    I'm currently working on a video game project I can finish in a couple months that may make me some money

    LOL! So basically you are working for several months to maybe make a few thousand dollars... Why don't you just go get yourself a real part time job?

    Well, I guess money isn't all that pressing of an issue if your mother doesn't charge you rent for her basement.

  3. Sabotage? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Is it impossible to imagine that MSFT paid off some people to get the free software disc fail? It's amazing how little money can buy how much in certain countries.

  4. Re:In Soviet Russia by bemymonkey · · Score: 1, Troll

    Are you serious? Or just jerking my chain?

    Let's see... what hasn't worked on Linux (and by working, I mean being able to use all of the core features): Dual Monitor support on a 7800GTX, pretty much anything other than USB on my Thinkpad (no proper scrolling, horribly malfunctioning power management, flaky WiFi, flaky HDMI support, FireWire not working at all), my USB audio interface, my WinMo phone (OK, might be unfair to count that one :P). Sure, these things can be made to work, with an hour's worth of tweaking config files by hand (because the GUI controls don't work, or the settings don't stick after a reboot), but do you REALLY think Grandma's going to do that? Come on... Linux and free software are great, but if you're not willing to invest gobs of time to make it actually work, it's not worth it...