Re: [Fsuk-manchester] MS Windows on the OLPC

[Tim Dobson]

David Greaves wrote:
> Just as a comment here - have you considered approaching Manchester Grammar
> School (I'm an alumni FWIW) and other independent schools?
>
> *If* they are open to the idea (and I would think that the financial and
> intellectual arguments would hold weight) then they *may* be less likely to be
> influenced politically (and MS would have to bribe them directly rather than via
> a ministerial diktat).
>
> They may also be useful role models...

Hi David,

I am also recent alumni of Manchester Grammar and still have strong 
links with them, and have suggested we talk to them on several occasions.

they would *only* be influenced politically, as far as I can grasp - 
they are using a Research Machines Community Connect 3 network, which is 
about as nasty an non-free as you can get. In addition they are using 
Broadcom wifi registering devices (glorified winCE pdas) for registers - 
it also all relativity recent which I suspect means they will be less 
likely to spend money on changing things.

At the moment, I suspect, RM is trying to use them as a case study for 
their systems, though I'm not convinced this is going to plan.

However, like with many people and organisations, I suspect that long 
term correspondance, might be effective - indeed there are free software 
supporters on the staff IIRC, the former head of ICT (now ICT liason) I 
believe is someone who may be on our side.

I'm interested to do something, but I'm not sure that any action will 
spring immediate results.

Tim


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