School switch to linux suggestions?

**x98gulinski** · 04-30-2005

The school I assist once in a while is thinking of switching from Windows to Linux, I keep trying to push them do do a full switch. Of course they aren't certain since no one knows anything about linux, meaning the IT staff. Can anyone recommend where to start or where to get some specific information that would help things go smoothly? I was thinking novell would be a good way to go , since i've toyed with it for some time. The main reason for switching is that the school administrator is trying to save a teachers job so they want to do this asap. There just isn't money to pay all the microsoft lincenses they have. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Each class has one pc, and it's networked, but there are no roaming profiles, the school uses some sort of tool to make sure the kids can't access the teachers data. I'd like to go with a terminal server idea.

**Giro** · 04-30-2005

Well first thing to ask is what do they want to do with there pc's? And can it be done in Linux.

**x98gulinski** · 05-01-2005

The comps are used by teachers for research and for keeping records. They want full office compatibility. Again the issue here is cost, the option is to either keep microsoft licenses and software or keep teachers. So Anything that can save a dollar or two is what they want. Seems like a simple question. Everything is microsoft, so imagine your own school or kids school and think for a minute.

**x98gulinski** · 05-01-2005

Better yet, why not just get me a link to some good reading on how schools are currently using linux and or something like that, might save the thinking process. Sorry to sound harsh, but seems like a silly question to ask.

**dylunio** · 05-01-2005

I found some links, I dunno how usful they will be:

http://www.linuxinschools.org/ (basicly a bunch of links on the subject I think)

http://www.suse.com/uk/company/schools/ (Since you had an intrest in Novel.

dylunio

**jaboua** · 05-01-2005

Also, I know about a debian-based distro MADE to be used in schools, skolelinux: http://www.skolelinux.org/portal/

**retired1af** · 05-01-2005

Ummmmmmm, pardon.... But why is the school robbing Peter to pay Paul? Last time I checked, salaries and equipment are usually two seperate budgets and it's a huge no-no to take money from one to pay for the other.

**sxeraverx** · 05-02-2005

LJ recently had an article about this very subject. Here it is: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8180

**cheetahman** · 05-02-2005

Originally Posted by x98gulinski

The comps are used by teachers for research and for keeping records. They want full office compatibility. Again the issue here is cost, the option is to either keep microsoft licenses and software or keep teachers. So Anything that can save a dollar or two is what they want. Seems like a simple question. Everything is microsoft, so imagine your own school or kids school and think for a minute.

Full office compatibility use Openoffice.org which can be opened in either Windows,Linux or Apple computers and can open Word,Excel and Powerpoint files saved in either OS here is the link for it www.openoffice.org

**Giro** · 05-03-2005

Originally Posted by x98gulinski

Better yet, why not just get me a link to some good reading on how schools are currently using linux and or something like that, might save the thinking process. Sorry to sound harsh, but seems like a silly question to ask.

I cant beleve people replyed with some links for you. Do you expect people do stuff for you (notice that) when you say why not just get me a link. Why not do it yourself your a teacher you should be able to research something. The question was perfectly valid. Would it save you money if you start switching when half way though you think "woops we cant do that really (or with much ease)" and by the sounds of it if you are in charge of it there might be trouble if at this stage you cannot even create a proposol on reasons to switch and not to switch, How long it would take to do, if you have the compantance (you would obviousely not include this in the proposol), if you use any software that is only MS (if so can it be switched), Security of the network, support (what to do when things go wrong), how much it would save (thinking of the man hours to switch and support) etc.. there is so much more to it not just lets switch to Linux.

ps, I have no problem with my children using MS if they need to!! I like to be pratical and will always teach my kids that

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