Re: Linux in high schools.

[Adam Williams <awilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>>I know that the Olivet Community Schools are about to drop LINUX which
>>>they been using for a mail/webserver because none of their staff knew
>>>LINUX and .....
>>Sounds like a training/PR opportunity for KLUG.
>Exactly the point, folks! If we simply wait until conditions are right, things 
>may never happen favorably. We can supply that needed bit of talent, teaching 
>and support that will promote Linux in these situations.

I presume to possess a serviceable amount of LINUX/UNIX talent, and if
someone else put it together,  would be willing to take a Saturday and
present an intro to Linux systems and administation to those who perform
IT tasks at public schools.  I'd happily invite IT people from private
schools as well,  but would not be willing to commit my time unless
several public school employees/consultants were going to be in
attendance.  But as far as finding a location, finding people,
whatever... I don't live in KZOO and that would have to be someone elses
problem.  I would also not be willing to enter into any kind of
continual support arrangement for free,  except via this list. :)

Anyone else?

>This is something that we must choose to do as a group. We can be a group that 
>has some "safe" activities, sits around and TALKS about Linux being useful, or
>maybe proving that to ourselves and in our work or home environments. Can we 
>put ourselves where our words are? We SAY we want Linux to suceed in schools, 
>but can we walk the walk?
>At Boogies cybercafe, we've done so. We've shown that Linux is a viable system
>for publicly available workstations, and we've established a good relationship 
>there, as well as some cashflow for our group. We've had some difficulties, 
>but we are also making progress on all of them, and showing that this system
>provides value the the software it replace could not. That's walking the walk,
>putting what we beleive out there as a working system.
>Perhaps "Linux in the high schools" is the next thing we can consider tackling.
>Thoughts?

IMHO, not much to think about.  If they have an interest, which I don't
think we've reliably determined, then we know what they need: training
and fall back support.  No diffrent than users of any product.  Can KLUG
members provide?  That is the standing question.

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