Matthew Rosewarne on 18 Jan 2008 17:45:52 -0800


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Re: [PLUG] The One True OS, migrating to


On Friday 18 January 2008, James Barrett wrote:
> I just calculated the price for new machines running Vista, compatible
> printers and software for the computer room for the next 4 years.

Please leave this kind of thing to the "Get The Facts" campaign, since it's 
sort of clear that it's skewed towards Linux.  You won't gain their trust 
with such tactics.  Fortunately, we don't need this sort of thing, Linux 
stands very well without spin.

> 30 new machines @ $500 per machine (a VERY conservative estimate)
> Office 2007 for each machine: $150/license

Why would they buy 30 new machines?  They don't seem to mind keeping the old 
win98 machines around, so why would they ditch them now?

> Two new B&W laser printers and one good color AIO inkjet... $800

This isn't contingent on OS.

> We're already well past $20K and have not even calculated flat panels!
> 30 bulk OEM Flat panels @ $175 each

I would expect they would get the cheapest monitors possible and at an 
educational discount.

> Nearing $25000, which is $24000 more than they need to spend.(<--period)

> I do seriously believe that migration to Linux will cost the school less
> than $1000, give them a state-of-the-art lab and still save them enough
> money to heat the entier school for a few cold winter months.

Sure, Linux migration is *very* cheap in terms of infrastructure cost.

> The students are currently learning just a few things on these machines.
> 1) word processing, spreadsheet functions and the such
> 2) web browsing
> 3) school stuff (math, reading, spelling)
> 4) how to do fun, seasonal stuff like make holiday cards with clipart
>
> All of which can be done in Linux.  They are NOT doing stuff that
> requires bleeding edge machinery.

Students need to be be taught the _concepts_, not specific applications.  In 
10 years, knowing how to use Excel 2007 won't be of much use.

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