Acceptance of OpenOffice.org (was Re: Gov't , economics and technology (was Re: METROCAST BLOCKS RESIDENTIAL E-MAIL))

[Randy Edwards]

 > So I'm thinking that maybe successful acceptance of OpenOffice.org requires
 > us getting it into the school systems.

   I agree completely.  And a complicating factor is that many computer 
"teachers" aren't really teaching computer sci or generic computing concepts, 
but instead they're teaching Windows and MS apps.  I've seen far, far too 
many teachers which, when confronted with a Mac or any app other than the 
standard one they use, will be absolutely lost.

   The resistance I've found is not at the school board level.  Boards will 
query whether OOo or free software is popular enough in the "business world" 
to teach to kids (a semi-legit question), but the dollars and cents angle 
swings the board every time.  The actual resistance I've seen will come from 
the local computer teachers.  Add to that the "if it doesn't cost anything it 
can't be worth anything" assumption (heavily ingrained in the educational 
bureaucracy) and converting public schools is difficult.

 Regards,
 .
 Randy

-- 
"If this war is so righteous, why don't you send your children?" -- Mother of 
dead GI Susan Niederer to First Lady Laura Bush (Bush didn't answer).