Re: [Fsfe-uk] Re: Schools etc. [was:RE: accu-general: Where to setup web site]

[ian]

On Sun, 2003-07-13 at 12:20, Martin WHEELER wrote:
> On 13 Jul 2003, Paul wrote:
> 
> > just
> > about all machines sold have Windoze on it in some form or another. 

> More practical: How many teachers have the courage to face getting the
> sack for actively promoting a campaign of allowing students to change
> these keytops themselves, 

Why would they get the sack? Don;t get too paranoid! 

> wherever they came across them?  Or regularly
> and persistently allowing their defacement, until the offending logo is
> removed from all school equipment?

If they are relatively easy to pick off I doubt they will last that long
in most school environments. 


> I do not believe that any school in the UK has the right or the need to
> forcibly inculcate young minds in the use of proprietary software.


This is an issue of branding and if you insist on removing one brand
name you really need to do it for all. Could be a reasonable idea, but
it would need some government decree to be effective and that's not too
likely. Maybe the gov should charge for branding as its advertising and
channel the proceeds into free software projects. Still this would need
a lot of time and effort in lobbying to succeed.

> believe that, economies of scale notwithstanding, any child in the UK
> has the inalienable right to choice; and should exercise this right,
> whatever the initial cost in rejection by school, teachers, or friends.

Ideals are fine but there are pragmatic considerations too. Where do you
draw the line? 

> Please spread this idea wherever you go; until the effects become
> tangible and unstoppable.

Could actually be counter-productive in some cases. If I have the head
on board to sell a 250 station free software network into a school but
then look like I'm going to cause a lot of disruption by subverting the
kids......

What matters is the desktop rhat is running. I'd settle for all running
say KDE even if they used keyboards with Windows logos. Let's focus the
energy on getting free software on to the desktops.

> I have seen one eighteen-year old stick out for this principle
> throughout his school career, without any detrimental effect.
> In completing his A and AS levels, he illustrated all his practical
> work using GNU/Linux; and where forced to use Microsoft products by the
> dictates of the syllabus, did the absolute minimum he could get away
> with.

> And teachers themselves should start worrying about the possibility of
> future legal action: "My child's whole future was compromised by you
> forcing him at an early age into using proprietary and unsuitable
> software -- I intend to sue."

How do you prove his future was compromised? If he (she) knows about
free software changing isn't difficult. That's the whole trick really.
Its actually very easy to swap over to free software if you are
motivated to and its getting easier every week.
> 
> You really think it couldn't happen?
> Wait until someone realises just how much money that claim is worth.

Very difficult to prove this objectively for individuals and there are
arguments in the other direction too.

-- 
ian <address@hidden>