What, in your opinion, would be a good way to convince the school administrator that paying a lot of money for new Windows licenses is a bad idea and that Linux, a free product, would be a much better idea? Not like this will ever succeed but I just want to hear your ideas. Resist everyone Talk on RavForum(tm)

quote: Original post by Ravuya
What, in your opinion, would be a good way to convince the school administrator that paying a lot of money for new Windows licenses is a bad idea and that Linux, a free product, would be a much better idea?

The only way a free product like Linux would be better is if it does what you need it to do. If the school teaches Windows programming or NT networking, Linux would not be an ideal choice. However, at my school, we spend most of our time in ANSI C and other UNIX things (Apache being another big area). For us, Linux would be better.

Well, it seems to me that our computing "facilities" are mostly used to use Internet Explorer to play Flash games.

Oh, and there''s an ANSI C++ programming class that I take, and a Visual Basic course (although they could afford to lose that).

The thing is, the server could be moved to Linux and the cost of ownership would dip severely without really causing problems -- witness SAMBA.

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What might be tough is that the size of the school, funding, and expertise of the teachers all have to be amicable to Linux/Unix systems in the school.
At my school, it is large enough and wealthy enough to afford professors who don''t think that Windows is the only OS out there, and so alongside Windows is also Linux, and we have Unix servers running email. There are also Macs for the art schools and media labs.

Unfortunately, most faculty/staff computers and all of the dorm computers were also "upgraded" to Windows XP. That means not as much DOS gaming, and less support for Linux on mainstream campus.
Still, our university sponsored LUG does try to promote Free software and Linux as much as we can. We usually host an install fest, and show that most if not all programs for Windows have equivalents on Linux, without the hassle of restrictive licenses preventing more than one computer having programs installed or something.
I like it because I am a computer geek and it is nice to have a community of computer geeks to talk to rather than a tech support line, but try telling upper management that.

We''re running Windows 95 through XP (incl. NT and 2K) and a couple of Macs. I think getting the department to standardize on a single version of Windows would be pretty tough alone.

But how should we go about it? Slapping adverts on bulletin boards telling people that if the school moves to Linux many of the problems will be solved? That Linux will make sure there''s more money in the budget for newer machines?

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quote: Original post by Ravuya
But how should we go about it? Slapping adverts on bulletin boards telling people that if the school moves to Linux many of the problems will be solved? That Linux will make sure there''s more money in the budget for newer machines?

Make a detailed outline of what you can do with Linux boxes that you cannot do (or can not do as well) with Windows boxes. Make sure your information is 100% accurate. Then submit a proposal to do a limited trial run where you only convert one server or lab to Linux so they can see that your idea is feasible. If everything works out, you’ll have more leverage when you suggest switching to Linux on a large scale (you can say “Look what I did over here…”).

Good idea, but as a student I have zip bargaining power. I don''t think many students would sign off on a petition (computers are, after all, uncool for doing anything other than porn or IMs).

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quote: Original post by Ravuya
Good idea, but as a student I have zip bargaining power.

Well, that depends on many things. How far along are you in school? Besides, you don''t have to really convince many people; just find a sympathizing staff member to back you up.

You might also want to consider that *nix boxes can really, really, suck. So don''t be so eager to switch just because you are champion of the free world or whatever you penguin freaks think you are.

When people get out into the real world, are they more likely to develop for Windows, which is what most people have at home, or for a Linux flavour?

Just thought I''d point out the glaringly obvious, since I cherish both my WinXP install and my Slackware box.