9000 PCs in Swiss schools going Linux only
Summary: 9000 computers in Swiss schools have been dual-booting Windows and and Ubuntu for some time now in anticipation of guidelines from the Switzerland's Department of Public Instruction, whose motto is "Long Live Free Software." The Tribune de Geneve featured a story on Friday about the elimination of dual boot capabilities in all of these machines and a migration exclusively to Linux (the original story is available here in French or here in English courtesy of Google's language tools).
9000 computers in Swiss schools have been dual-booting Windows and and Ubuntu for some time now in anticipation of guidelines from the Switzerland's Department of Public Instruction, whose motto is "Long Live Free Software." The Tribune de Geneve featured a story on Friday about the elimination of dual boot capabilities in all of these machines and a migration exclusively to Linux (the original story is available here in French or here in English courtesy of Google's language tools).
Beginning this September, all 9000 computers will run only Ubuntu and free and open source software. While officials are happy to be saving money on licensing, the Department of Public instruction largely made the move out of what they considered best practices for student education (please note that the translation below is directly from Google Translation; non-French speakers should get the idea, though).
Why go to FOSS? Free, effective teaching, "they have only advantages," says Manuel Grandjean, director of the Media Service Schools of DPI and as such contractor for the migration department to the Open source. On the one hand, they offer enough to satisfy the saving plan of the State Council, which advocates measuring 28 "to promote open-source software" in the administration. But there was no question of a solution on the cheap. "We chose open-source software for their qualities," says Manuel Grandjean.
There are, analysis there, "a real convergence" between the foundations of education practiced in DIP and free software. Through their community development, "they encourage the sharing and democratization of knowledge, as well as autonomy with the acquisition of skills."
This move also levels the playing field for students who may not be able to afford computers with the latest Microsoft software:
Another advantage is not inconsiderable: Students can work at home by using free programs at the same school, which "strengthens equality of opportunity," says Manuel Grandjean... And then he says with a touch of irony, "it avoids providing captive customers for large companies ..."
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Talkback
Truer words have never been spoken
Which is why I've always thought that those insisting people move from Windows to OS X are simply asking us to trade one multi-national, multi-billion $$$$/year, greedy corporation for another one that wants even [b]more[/b] control over your purchasing decisions because they even take away your ability to choose your hardware!!
Anyway, great news for the Swiss and Linux users everywhere!
Grow Up
Well, how does that work in everyday life exactly? Do you like in a grass hut cooking your food over an open fire?
We are already owned by corporations. Bill Gates must be laughing is head off. You're free to pick Linux, but you have to go begging to Dell or Asus or whoever to build you the hardware. You want to watch a DVD? Philips gets their cut. BluRay? Sony gets theirs.
The OS is such a small part of the whole thing that $50 on a $500 PC is nothing. It's not even a tank of gas for the average car!
Just be patient, one thing at a time. No reason for the proprietary DVD
But, we are making progress . . . .
What are you talking about?
Time to stop thinking like an Apple consumer! I build my own hardware so no, I don't beg to Dell, Asus, or anyone. I don't even beg to Intel since I buy AMD when it makes sense. Those who go the Apple route have no choice. Poor them. :(
PS Before you say that most don't DIY, you discount all the smaller PC builders in the world. Why don't you go visit your local computer store and ask them to build a PC for you. They'll be [b]more[/b] than happy to do it and I'll bet they are cheaper than an equivalent Mac. :)
Hit the nail on the head
Apple may have a good product range, but they're worse than MS at lock-in tactics IMHO. I threw away my ipod shuffle(literally) and shelved plans to get a new iPod after I read about Apple updating software to break compatibility with Linux equivalents of iTunes.
RE: 9000 PCs in Swiss schools going Linux only
While I realize this is an older comment, If purchasing a $500 PC, you most likely won't be worried about that $50 (more like $200 for most users) operating system.
However, if using an older model PC, something you've had for a few years which you're just trying to squeeze by with, Linux is a life-saver.
Sure, if you want to watch a DVD or a BluRay, Philips and Sony get their cut. But what if you can't afford a DVD or a BluRay in the first place? You do what many people do and you find alternatives.
By the way, you don't have to go begging Dell or Asus to build you any hardware. I bought a used Acer Extensa 5420 and it's running Ubuntu without a hitch. I've got an older eMachines desktop in my living room for my other and a generic model desktop also sitting in my living room, both running Ubuntu as well.
Guess what?
Who thinks you are a Linux zealot?
I don't dance a dance for [b]any[/b] zealot, Linux, Windows, or OS X. Zealots close their minds off to the weaknesses in their "chosen" OS and the strengths of their "hated" OS so no, there aren't any zealots that make me want to dance a happy dance. However, I have empirically found that Mac zealots are [b]the[/b] most zealous. Linux zealots tend to be a bit better educated so they seem to be a bit more tolerable. I've yet to see a true Windows zealot since the only ones here are reverse trolls like Mike Cox.
Somebody called
On the windows zealot thing, I think you've seen quite a few. Perhaps you are just glossing over their quantity :P
They'll all be teachers when they graduate.
...
A real office environment?
Office is too engrained...
That's what they said about its predecessors
Empires
Redmond: the empire that will last a thousand years.
As in...
For F/OSS software/office suites/operating systems to succeed...
This all or nothing attitude does neither side any good and simply obfuscates the real debate - where is the value proposition for using either or both?
For me, Windows/Office has provided me with the most value. OS X et al tried but failed. Ubuntu still has issues with my wireless on both a Toshiba Tablet (more than just wireless btw) and a Dell Inspiron.
If/when F/OSS comes up to my current needs and is as easy to install/configure/use as my current solutions, it will have a third or fourth chance at my hardware (which may be upgraded by then).
Until then, use what works for you folks. No one on any side of this argument can say anything else with honesty.
If/when F/OSS comes up to my current needs
Complaining that you can't run linux on something you bought that was designed specifically for MS by companies unwilling to write drivers for the linux kernel is a bit over the top don't you think?
As I have said before, and will say again, OS installs are not something end-users are typically capable of, it requires thought, research, and a willingness to deal with issues that may arise; it is not instant gratification, it is sweat equity. In the future by a pre-install, you'll be very happy you did, and you'll be grinning ear to ear as you realize that you haven't had an infection or BSOD since you made the switch.
GL
RE: For F/OSS software/office suites/operating systems to succeed..
Ubuntu may have issues, but there are distros which would work better for you. That's the strength of Linux. Ubuntu is OK, but not necessarily the best at very much of anything. The error many make is to equate their experience with a specific distribution as their experience with the world of Linux. That's like equating your experience on one block of one street of any US town or city their experience with the US. Whether pretty or ugly, it is certainly neither truthful nor accurate.
Generally I agree
Though for a desktop OS I do think that Ubuntu is about as good as it gets /shrug, I've tried a lot of them, but as you said, theres plenty to choose from, so I guess my bias is there because its what works for me, in the end I didn't give up on Linux because I didn't like this or didn't like that, I kept hunting till I found one I do like. I don't have that option with Windows or OSX, I get the choice of 1 environment, take it or leave it, so I left it and went to Linux, been Linux exclusive with exception of the Windows I must use to continue education for my business (repairing infected windows installs primarily). My personal computers all run Linux exclusively, all important data is generated in Open Office on a Gnome Desktop in an Ubuntu release. Life is good, I get to relax and enjoy computing when I'm on my own machines.