OpenOffice in Scottish Libraries

XavierP · 12-18-2003, 01:40 PM

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/34593.html

This sounds like pure genius to me. Distributing software for people to borrow and copy - and for free.

Could this catch on for other software and other countries?

Discuss

david_ross · 12-18-2003, 01:53 PM

Sounds good to me.

I can't exactly get ISOs on a 56k

XavierP · 12-18-2003, 02:01 PM

Shame it's only OpenOffice. Since there must be a large number of people with older pcs (surveys have found that W95 is still in the wild), Linux would be perfect - wander down to the local library, pick up a cd (even library lending fees, if applied, are incredibly low) and install 'the latest' OS.

If Tony Blur really wants to everyone to be pc literate, up to date and on-line he should sponsor this.

david_ross · 12-18-2003, 02:15 PM

The real shame is that I just downloaded OO1.1 over the last fewdays

We still have quite a few 95 machines at work

Imagine how much money would have been saved if they had bought all the pcs they gave away with linux on them. Hopefully the OSs will follow suit.

XavierP · 12-18-2003, 02:20 PM

Maybe we, as a community, could push this along. I am sure that many of us will have links to our local LUGs - why not invite someone from the local library (not mine unless you live in my area!) along to a meeting. Show them what's what and see if they would be interested. At the end, present them with a cd or two. Alternatively, pop along with a laptop loaded with Linux (and some cds) and then see if they are interested.

We could even persuade the library to host a LUG meeting (maybe something that doesn't involve too much disruption for the libraries) and try to interest them that way.

What do you think?

Edit: As far as OO1.1 goes, you should have said. I have no objections to burning a copy and sending it off. Or you could have got it from Linux Format - I seem to remember them sticking it on a cover cd fairly recently.

tcaptain · 12-18-2003, 11:13 PM

Didn't I see a link also on slashdot or something about a how-to on getting OpenSource into our libraries?

I'm sure I couldn't just walk into my local library and hand them a bunch of burned CDs

Found the link (pdf file)

from slashdot:

http://www.openoffice.org/nonav/issu...es%20Howto.pdf

XavierP · 12-19-2003, 02:55 AM

Hmmm, harder than it looks.