Organization Plans to Give Away OpenOffice.org in Schools

[gstuartj]

The Open Source Software Distribution Initiative is a brand-new organization committed to distributing open source alternatives to expensive commercial software packages, especially in education. Initially, OSSDI will be focusing its efforts on giving away professionally pressed CD-ROMS containing the OpenOffice.org software suite within school districts in poverty-stricken areas.

I think this could be very beneficial to students who come from poor families. Check it out.

[Draciron]

Very good idea. I'm going to volenteer. Thanks for posting the info.

[benjamin20]

because downloading it is just too hard?

[tAK]

No, because a lot of these kids possibly dont know it exists.
And, probably wouldnt use it because it doesnt look like a real product to them.

A rather professional approach really, i hope it works out for them.

[bryansmith]

because downloading it is just too hard?

What are the odds that poverty-stricken students have reliable internet access at home?

[benjamin20]

right, unreliable internet access, but what are the chances they have a reliable computer at home as well. it would be better to pay for tv ads. everyone sees, everyone know, everyone is right next to there computer.

[techieMoe]

right, unreliable internet access, but what are the chances they have a reliable computer at home as well. it would be better to pay for tv ads. everyone sees, everyone know, everyone is right next to there computer.

I don't see what your problem is with this campaign. How could it possibly be a bad thing to give away copies of OpenOffice to kids who might not have even known it existed?

[carlosponti]

I always felt since Schools and Governments don't make a profit that they should use OpenOffice.org and Linux. For one thing some schools can provide one computer per student at the school if they were not going through the expense of buying Windows and Office.

[bidi]

I always felt since Schools and Governments don't make a profit that they should use OpenOffice.org and Linux. For one thing some schools can provide one computer per student at the school if they were not going through the expense of buying Windows and Office.

And forcing tax payers to pay for the licensing fees. This is pretty much what pisses me off, why do I have to pay for something that I disagree with. Time to call the local school board!

Anyway, I think this initiative should be broader and include all public schools, not just the once in poverty striken areas.

As a side note/rant, I don't understand why people think they can solve other people's problems by throwing technology at them. But that's a discussion for another day.