[PLUG] RE: Software Freedom Day

[John Nicholls]

On Mon, 2002-06-03 at 15:00, Paul Nelson wrote:
> Hello Folks,
> 
> We're inviting you to a party. Come join us and celebrate Free
Software!
> 
> http://k12ltsp.org/software_freedom.html



Unfortunately we don't have software freedom in our schools in
Australia, I offered to set up Linux servers using LTSP (for free) to my
kid's primary School in Queensland, Australia. Below is the response
from the headmaster and my response to him




>  Hello John,
>  Thank you for your letter of 28 May regarding the possibilities of
>  using Linux in our new technology hub.
> 
>  While it sounds very interesting, I need to inform you that we are
>  bound by Education Queensland's policies on this issue.  That means
>  we need to abide by the User Agreement that Ed Qld. has signed with
>  Microsoft to use standard Operating Systems - Windows N.T 4 - in all
>  schools. I believe it is a 5 year agreement. That limits us in terms
>  of what you are proposing. It may be worth while to explore the
>  options with Central Office as they are the ones making these
> decisions.
> 
>  Thanks for your continuing interest in this school
>  Regards
 

(The Queensland Government in Australia use the phrase "The Smart State"
in all their taxpayer funded advertising)


 

Hello Andy,

Thanks for the reply, it is a pity that the Queensland Government have
taken this rather narrow path. As I said, Linux is used all over the
World with great success, I understand that your hands are tied which is
regrettable. Queensland, "The Smart State", I don't think so.



regards,


John