What’s on tap for Ed Tech in 2008?
,----[ Quote ]
| This wouldn’t be a Dawson piece if I didn’t mention open source. However, the
| general anti-Vista sentiment among many in the industry, the increasing
| usability of desktop Linux (have you used Ubuntu 7.10? Can you say, “It just
| works”?), the need to save money wherever possible (i.e., cheap hardware and
| no licensing costs), and, again, the decreasing relevance of the desktop OS
| given web-centric computing trends means that Linux is going to be on a lot
| more educational machines in 2008.
`----
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1443
No school needs to spend money on new Aero-capable PCs. There's no need for
Windows either, with applications such as Moodle that evolve rapidly thanks to
the joint work of many institutes around the world. Blackboard still tries to
get an intellectual monopoly with software patents and Windows-only features.
As recently shown, Microsoft virtually bribes people in academia, so that's
its only chance to remain relevant for a while longer. Firefox 3.0 is coming!
Robots! New Firefox Beta Splash Screen
,----[ Quote ]
| This struck me as cool. Maybe this was up yesterday when I upgraded to
| Firefox 3 Beta 2, but I certainly didn't see it when I fired up the browser.
| Mozilla has given us a hint as to what FF3's marketing might look like -- a
| giant, retro-looking robot who is apparently either defending the Earth from
| aliens, part of an extra-terrestrial invasion army or simply a beacon light
| calling on Firefox to save us all (a la the Bat symbol). Guesses?
`----
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/12/robots-new-fire.html
Pimp Your Firefox: 12 Essential Extensions for Web Developers & Designers
http://freelanceswitch.com/productivity/pimp-your-firefox-12-essential-extensions-for-web-developers-designers/
Nice picture.
Related:
Taking the Open Road: University Libraries Explore Options
,----[ Quote ]
| Open source learning management system Moodle alone is now used in 56
| percent of universities since its introduction three years ago, and
| the Open University has moved over to it wholesale. Supporters say
| open source LMS tend to be more modular and make it much easier for
| libraries to contribute content than is the case with
| commercial solutions.
`----
http://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/59219.html
Kineo predicts growth in open source e-learning and provides free insights
,----[ Quote ]
| "In the LMS space, we have been hugely impressed with Moodle's offering.
| We embrace the open source spirit in which Moodle has been, and continues
| to be developed. We have provided customised Moodle installations for
| several of our clients, giving it a look and feel bespoke to their
| organisations. We would urge anyone considering a commercial LMS to
| give an open source option such as Moodle serious consideration first."
`----
http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/22873005cp.shtml
Linux is about to take over the low end of PCs
,----[ Quote ]
| Opinion -- Sometimes, several unrelated changes come to a head at the same
| time, with a result no one could have predicted. The PC market is at such a
| tipping point right now and the result will be millions of Linux-powered PCs
| in users' hands.
|
| [...]
|
| Microsoft will fight this trend tooth and nail. It will cut prices to the
| point where it'll be bleeding ink on some of its product lines. And Windows
| XP is going to stick around much longer than Microsoft ever wanted it to.
| Still, it won't be enough. By attacking from the bottom, where Microsoft can
| no longer successfully compete, Linux will finally cut itself a large slice
| of the desktop market pie.
`----
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2414535067.html
This time for sure on mobile Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| The Wal-Mart Linux PC, priced at $198, is sold out. Zonbu seems to be gaining
| traction, with a notebook priced at $279.
|
| “You’re seeing incredibly improved device drivers. We’ve got hundreds now.
| This is a phenomenal effort that plays to the strength of Linux, a volunteer
| community representing millions of dollars in free development.
|
| “You’re seeing more manufacturers shipping Linux desktops, PCs and laptops
| but also mobile Internet devices from Acer, Motorola’s Razr, TiVo…there’s a
| slew of new devices coming out.”
`----
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=1773
|
|
