Waste of Money

waynejkruse10 · 05-19-2005, 05:21 AM

I've been informed today by my schools computer administrator that the NSW Dept. of Education is currently in a deal with Microsoft.

Though i havent been able to find any details, is agreement entail the exclusive use of Microsoft products on NSW school, at least until 2009!

How is this possible!! The Dept. of Edu. is not only propagating anti-competion, but maintaining the microsot monopoly through both the act of agreeing to only buy/use micrsoft software and making Windows the only OS available for students to work on!

Recapping:
+We can only use windows at my school, its actually technically illegal to use linux at a NSW state school!
+We can use only IE at my school, we cannot install Firefox.
+We can only use MS Office
+We cannot use any software where a microsoft version of the app exists!

Our School:
Around 130 computers (PC's Running Windows)

20 Library
30*3 for Computer Rooms
20 scattered around other rooms

Now, once our admin has finished upgrading to XP on all of them, this is the MINIMUM costs (in AUD).

Windows XP Home OEM - $132
Microsoft Office OEM - $242

x 130 = $48620!!!

And imagine all the other programs the school buys that there is a free open source alternative that i havnt mentioned (eg. Paint Shop Pro - Open source Alternative - Gimp)

Wayne

bla!! · 05-19-2005, 09:23 AM

Wow, that's a bit out there.

Anyway, they shouldn't be able to restrict what you have on your personal computer. It might make compatability an issue, but there are many converters and openoffice can save as a .doc so you should be fine.

Also, are you using the educational prices for the office software? It seems a bit high, but I don't know the conversion between AU and American Dollars.

waynejkruse10 · 05-19-2005, 04:43 PM

Thats the student and teacher edition of office, the academic version is around $50 more.

Sevoma · 05-19-2005, 06:00 PM

I use a linux live cd in school

. What does NSW mean?

horndude · 05-19-2005, 06:35 PM

Well, if you listen to the idiots at microsoft,they will claim that windows has a smaller TCO(total cost of ownership) than open source,and there's been lots of studies done, usually funded by microsoft(imagine that) that show that its cheaper to use microsoft stuff.Im not believing it myself, at $100-$300 per install for windows plus office,that buys alot of linux tech time man hours, so whatever ease of install you get from microsoft is blown away by licensing fees very quickly.

There are some issues with linux, its finicky about hardware, and peripherals like printers, microsoft has an edge there.But, in a school situation where your likely to but batches of systems by the 100's, it isnt hard to stay linux compatible.The other bonus is in a school which is more than likely networked already and does its bookeeping that way, integrating things is way easier with linux.

waynejkruse10 · 05-20-2005, 12:56 AM

NSW means New South Wales, its the state i live in.

fitzjj · 05-20-2005, 12:39 PM

No doubt the deal your school has done with microsoft means that they get the software a lot cheaper and so the total price would probably be more like 75% of what you quoted, but i see your point and completely agree with it.

At school you are no longer learning to use computers you are learning to use microsoft products. The way microsoft see it is like the tobacco companies see it "catch them while they are young"

Technically you could argue that IE is not a proper web browser so you should be able to intall Firefox since a web browser should follow the web standards and not make up its own. But you'd get nowhere anyway, most of the world use MS products and that is the way it will stay for some time to come. But one day people will realise...

waynejkruse10 · 05-20-2005, 05:45 PM

i still use firefox as school, but one kid got in a LOT of trouble for using a Live CD.

Sevoma · 05-20-2005, 09:24 PM

Why would you get into trouble? Just pop out the cd and crack it into 4 peices. Problem solved.

I also have firefox installed on the windows acct when I forget the cd.

waynejkruse10 · 05-21-2005, 04:53 AM

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/softwar...9191668,00.htm

Quote:

Which is why you find that in almost all circumstances, the Departments of Education in each state are also the most pro-Microsoft. I've been trying for over two years to make headway with some of them. They tell me that they are scared of doing anything which will upset Microsoft.

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