Alternatives to Windows applications

[vladdracul]

Dear All,

The NSW (Australian state) government is going to give laptops to high school students in certain years. Apparently the national amount budgeted for computers in school Australia wide is AUD1.9 billion (AUD1=US$0.80 approximately at this time). OK, this is going to be a huge waste of money that will yield very little in the way of improved numeracy and literacy. The following is a direct quote from their pdf document:
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“Agreements have also been signed with Microsoft and Adobe giving students and teachers
access to the largest and most comprehensive roll-out of software in any education system
worldwide.
“The combination of the laptops and the software contracts we have signed will open our
classrooms up to the world.”
Mr Rees said that the NSW Government will invest a further $25.5 million in the provision of
software, on top of Federal Government funding.
“Part of this includes a $20 million agreement with Adobe - $12 million from the NSW
Government and $8 million from the Federal Government.
“Using this software, students will be able to create videos, edit photos and make
presentations for class assignments and projects.
“Students and teachers will also be able to set up video conferencing and collaborate on
assignments using the built in web cameras and software within the department’s secure
network.
“The Adobe software will be available not only on the laptops but for all computers in NSW
public schools and TAFE colleges.
“NSW will also finance the agreement with Microsoft to include Office Professional on all
the new laptops.”
Mr Rees said that this means students will have their own access to all the programs
commonly found in the modern office workplace, including Word, Excel and Power Point.
“The deal with Microsoft is a world first in student licensing, based on a per student
approach rather than licensing per device.
“We are putting software that would cost more than $5,500 if purchased in a store on each
laptop at no cost to the student or teacher.
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This document can be downloaded. I am not allowed to post the url, but search Yahoo for
mr010409_digital.pdf. You will get one result and from that you can download this document. Google returns nothing on this one.

Now I know Open Office can replace MS Office. I am not a graphical person at all. Which open source applications can replace the Adobe software? If you have experience with both the Adobe and replacements, please respond.

Of course, the Windows OS can be replaced and bettered by any of a number of Linux distros.

Man, why do they have to waste taxpayer money like this?

[rokytnji]

Maybe this will help ya.

The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux. (Official site of the table)

[vladdracul]

Maybe this will help ya.

Whao! What a list. Thanks for that.

[Rubberman]

Man, why do they have to waste taxpayer money like this?

Can you spell campaign contributions (bribes)?