[Computerbank] Preinstalled Windows: AARGH! I can't get it off!

[Jacqueline McNally]

At 09:16 AM 05/01/2002, romana wrote:
>http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/25085.html
>
>If a PC shipped with Windows preinstalled, can you remove the OS and install
>Linux instead? Well, no, according to Microsoft. A somewhat obscure Microsoft
>site aimed at helping schools deal with donated computers flatly states: "It
>is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a
>machine for the life of the machine."
><snip>
>
>the implications of this are, well, scary!
>if anyone can't get the rest of the article, let me know, i'll post it...

I posted these links the middle of last month:

http://slashdot.org/articles/02/04/18/1623240.shtml?tid=109 and the
Microsoft page at http://www.microsoft.com/education/?id=DonatedComputers

and

http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/07/10/microsoft_school/

on LUG and various educational lists and after much *discussion* it was 
decided that it was an exercise in FUD and "to keep on installing Linux" :)

One comment that made me stand up and take notice, was that the largest 
range of educational software still requires Microsoft. Not a surprise, but 
it did get me thinking further about computing education. Not forgetting 
that educational software is used as a tool to assist in the learning of 
other subjects, e.g. reading, one of the thoughts that I did have was the 
feeling that we are not using computers in schools to teach the principles 
of ICT, but providing Microsoft training.

I do know of some open source educational software, but it's a case of 
making it known to educators and teachers. One of the reasons why I 
participate in the OpenOffice.org community is that it is cross-platform 
and provides me the opportunity to talk to people and organisations that 
would not otherwise be aware of Open Source software and the enveloping 
community.

Educational software may be an area to target with Linux AND Windows 
versions. Eventually, educators using Windows will realise that they can 
use their *applications* in an alternative environment that does have the 
fuss with licenses and their associated costs. Many schools and their staff 
are looking for ways to obtain good educational tools for their students, 
and many are found by asking around their colleagues. Unfortunately, the 
education department provides the infrastructure and it is very difficult 
to take the road less travelled.

All the best
Jacqueline
http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/users/zenryaku/

Community Contact, Australia/New Zealand
OpenOffice.org Marketing Project
(www.openoffice.org)

Are you a computer angel? (www.ca.asn.au)