[PLUG] Micro$oft at it again.

[Terry Griffin]

Last I heard, and this is of rumor quality, they're still thinking
of trying to pull off the audit. I'm not aware of any requests for
help.

I think we need to not get hung up on the idea of replacing all of the 
Windows boxes in 60 days and instead accept the idea that this time
around, Microsoft might win. The key is thinking longer term, trying
to address some of the technical, procedural, and other issues that
prevent Linux from being a viable option as the universal OS for the
schools. A lot of it could turn out to be R&D work, i.e. finding out
what Windows software packages are used in the schools, and then
researching similar packages for Linux. If there are holes, that 
would point the way to some software development opportunities for
the programmers among us.

So for example, let's say one or more of you had some expertise in 
some field, like accounting. A project that might interest you would be to 
research the available Linux accounting packages, then evaluate them to 
determine which ones are lame, which ones are pretty good, and which ones 
could use a little work. From there, figure out what you would recommend 
to the schools for Linux-based accounting.

Schools need lots of other software packages, for e-mail, tracking grades,
scheduling classes, educational software for students, and so on. Before
rushing in with a universal Linux solution, all these areas need to be 
explored to see what's available and to identify holes where some software 
development effort might be required.

So out of all that, find areas that interest you and match your skills,
then just go with it.

Terry

> 
> So, has anybody had any luck in contacting folks at the ESD and finding 
> out what help they need?  I can setup ix86 linux boxes and get them into a 
> reasonably secure state (especially if I put Bastille on 'em), and I'm 
> sure I could teach users how to deal with the things.    
> 
> No doubt there are plenty of people on the list ready to go out and 
> nuke some windows partitions.  But is anybody asking for help?  
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
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-- 
Terry Griffin <griffint at pobox.com>
http://www.blindchicken.com/~terryg/