This comment is very straight on except the support issue. For those school district IT staff that have never used Linux, a switch would be huge. They would have to learn how to admin a set of Linux boxes or a central server in a thin-client environment. This is the issue we must bring up and solve, support. Not just now but in the future. What happens when the IT person that was trained in using Linux moves on, will the next guy know how to...could that school find someone qualified to fill the place. Lets look at this also. Linux is a great option for many situations but the IT staff needs to know how to use it.
For those unfamiliar with K12LTSP (http://www.k12ltsp.org/contents.html). It is a project that combines Redhat Linux and LTSP with additions and configurations that are specifically geared towards K-12 school computer labs. Paul Nelson and Eric Harrison, both employed as school IT professionals, set out to provide software for schools to setup terminal servers and thin-clients based on Linux. There goal was to make it as easy to setup as possible. You can check out these case studies to see how people are using the K12LTSP software Riverdale High School - Open Source Case Study and K12LTSP Case Studies.
You might also want to see Mike Surran's article in Linux Journel, Linux from Kindergarten to High School. It is a good read about the specifics of his journey in switching over to Linux. He brings up some good points in the article, for example he talks about how he had to buy a whole bunch of Linux books to prep himself for the switch. That is one of the hurdles of implementing Linux, learning how to use it. But of course that can be said about any new solution. Anyone know if Redhat or others have support options for schools?
-Jonathan Hughes
Slashdot Mirror
-Jonathan Hughes
-Jonathan Hughes
You might also want to see Mike Surran's article in Linux Journel, Linux from Kindergarten to High School. It is a good read about the specifics of his journey in switching over to Linux. He brings up some good points in the article, for example he talks about how he had to buy a whole bunch of Linux books to prep himself for the switch. That is one of the hurdles of implementing Linux, learning how to use it. But of course that can be said about any new solution. Anyone know if Redhat or others have support options for schools? -Jonathan Hughes