Im two hours away from the 4th meeting reguarding switching their 1000+ machine configuration for the entire school district to linux (from Windows)

Im having some problems with preparing additional info thats 'compatable' so to speak with people not into technology and have no idea what a computer really is.

Any ideas on things to bring up that promote linux use and why windows should be ditched?

Also, any words of encouragement? i'll be standing in fronbt of 300 some people.

I'll bust out RMS style

Thanks!
Ben

we have this thread of unholy length in the general forum entitled : "Anti-Microsoft?" or something very similar to that. any and all decent arguments for or against linux and ms are in there somewhere.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=15414

have fun.

That's a good move. If the users of the systems are not computer literate, then I think it won't matter for them what to use linux, MS Windows, Mac, etc. they will be forced to know how to handle it anyway. As for linux Mandrake8.2 proved to be as easy to use as Win Xp Home Edition, but Mandy is more robust, I think some of the users would complain about GUI to be "not that pretty" but hey it is just GUI, if you opt for KDE you can make it very pretty I hope the machines won't be the old ones. I beleive you'd devided already set of responsibilities for configuration, mantainance and tech support. Just don't jump on would be linux oriented environment by saying that linux is better then Windows, and it's cheaper. Make a smooth transition from advantages of linux over another OS, and reason your objections for use another OS. Interest audience with examples of linux applications. And be confident.
Good luck.

thanky you both very very much. im set with tons of material becuase of your posts ty

Well I went, I spoke the words of wisdom, even RMS himself would be impressed and they aren't going to go for it tho said they will think about it (just a nice way of saying "screw you" basically, atleast thats what I got out of it. So it is to my understanding that if you are trying to convert or atleast help explain how Linux can help your school district you need to approach either the board in a very very very professional way OR aproach the community beforehand.

As I brought up GNU/Linux and the freedom behind it I was interupted by the head director "Thats exactly what we don't want. We got windows 98 on a really good $57 deal, it's easy and thats what the people have at home."

HUH!?!?!?

I feel like anikin skywalker... im going to be the most powerful jedi ever, I WILL make this district switch, this is the first of many projects I need to complete sucessfully. My Life Long work-related goal is to do just this. People need to understand the importance of freedom and power of their communities and my interests are in doing just this through computer technology. Sorry for venting but I feel i've failed. I will NOT give up but for tonite, I have lost.

Though this was up against the board, I am still acting locally while i continue to think globally. I do have that one machine in the 2nd grade class running linux so slowly but for sure.

Any words of encouragement / advice? I am working on creating a full report on what I brought up and how i did it so any who are doing the same can learn from my mistakes and learnings that have worked out.

Today I will let them be but tomorrow starts a whole new plan. A plan which will save THEM money and time... I just don't get it... whats there NOT to like? I think a visual demonstration is needed.

Trying to make the community proud,
Ben.

This is what I think you would have to present to a school board in maybe this order to win them over:

1. Talk about the costs and the License Agreements of Microsoft, what Microsoft has the power to do with it, that they don't own the software officially, that its just a License to use. Learn the Microsoft License like the back of your hand. Use that to compare to the GPL. I wouldn't talk about freedom of the GNU and the such, they probably don't understand that. The school district just wants something that works for them.

2. Bring up a good argument on how Microsoft can audit them at anytime with a small warning. A good way to start is to explain to them what happened to the school district in Oregon, how Microsoft gave them so little time to prepare. Another good point is to bring up on how MS is trying to upgrade everyone, how they aren't allowing 9x/NT licenses to be bought in bulk no longer as they want everyone to upgrade when they really don't need to in certain cases. You have to pay for them individually now. They might have a good deal now but wait til they need to upgrade, which means usually they will need to upgrade hardware as well most likely.

3. Try to get a complete list of their inventory, maybe how many machines they have now. It will help you show a comparison of costs running Linux and Windows. Present to them they don't have to convert all their machines to Linux, they can still run Windows on many of their machines but running Linux on a majority of the machines can save them so much X amount of dollars, not only in software but even upgrading at a later time can save them in hardware costs.

4. Try to setup a good visualization of a Linux box with a Windows box as well if you can. Don't get into too much detail of the technical side as most of the board members probably aren't technical, they just use the computer to get work done. Its not just the OS but the software as well. Try again to show them the alternatives to MS software and other properietary software that costs them money.

5. I think the true key to winning them over is the comparison of costs though. That is how to get them to convert. School districts truly don't have that much money, its not like they are out to make profits. Try your best to get real life situations that are happening right now with other companies and schools. Learn the MS Licenses, actually don't learn them but know them, so if someone says something like they already have to you, what the director stated, you can have a counter argument against it.

Like the director said though, they don't care about freedom, they want something that will get the job done and just works. They probably don't have the understanding that Linux can work for them, save them money and they don't have to worry about Licenses, audits and the such. So I would stay away from the freedom of GNU/GPL and Linux in that aspect. Present to them what they are going to be saving in the long run, money and time.

But know both and research, don't go in there and let them shoot you down with one statement. Have a counter argument and a con against their pro's on using MS software.

I think that is how I personally would present to them and try to win them over.

Good luck.. hope this helps you out in anyway.

-trickykid

There is another aspect you can try, which is getting permission to set up a few workstations and/or servers with the Linux OS.

After they see it in functional operation and realize that it can be configured better in terms of security and that more and more users will like it. Plus they can keep their old systems longer.

Never give up!! I had a similar disappointment with my firm but they're testing Linux as a result - it'll speak for itself !

BTW, if they're not that computer literate, as well as the cost implications, could you point out how many viruses there are for windo$e and how many there are for Linux? Most people have heard about computer viruses.........

Just a thought

Dutch

and just like that... all motivation and inspiration has been fully recharged. thanks!!!!!

I will prepare for the next meeting and continue to email them stories such as the one about oregon and Iowa school districts. Im donating a 1ghz machine to one of the schools 1st - 5th grade which both teachers and students will use. It will also be used as the presentation tool. I feel they have a good grasp on how windows works so if they have a machine for windows we can use it for comparison but if not...

Much thanks to tricky kid, I have thought of the ideas you speak of but my mind is so scattered, your letter truly helped with orginizing of them. Also, I will have to obtain the MS license and study it. Thanks x 2


Also, Not only concerning the Linux movement but also budget problems and the closing of one of the schools (eagleville) i have created a small project.

www.digitalsimplicity.com/ps/ tell me what you think. Some statements may be worded to strongly but I have not yet released teh project publically, still fine tuning it. Any thoughts/comments would be excellent!