On Wednesday 10 January 2007 15:50 Roy Schestowitz wrote:
> Becta report slams Microsoft academic licensing, dismisses Vista
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | Even ignoring the open source-related controversy surrounding these
> | reports (see here, here , here, and here) the statistics are
> | jaw-dropping.
> `----
>
>
http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2007/01/becta_report_sl.html
> http://tinyurl.com/y6exp6
>
>
> Related:
>
> OSC joins criticism of UK education's attitude to open source
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | Open Source Consortium president, Mark Taylor, has been in contact to
> | voice its opinion on the controversy surrounding Becta's purchasing
> | frameworks and the adoption of open source adoption in UK schools.
> |
> | In short, it doesn't make happy reading for Becta. "The essence of
> | our concern is that they're saying one thing and actually pursuing
> | policies that are exclusive," he said. "Becta's own research shows there
> | are major benefits [with open source], however the reality of the
> | framework is that it excludes both products and services."
> `----
>
>
http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2006/11/osc_joins_criti.html
>
>
> UK Government criticised for stifling open source in schools
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | MP Pugh reckons shcools should support independent or open source
> | software firms. He says, "In my experience a school is a key part
> | of the community and as such has a role to play in the economy of
> | that community. By supporting SMEs the local high-technology
> | industry will be encouraged which will benefit everyone."
> `----
>
> http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36464
>
>
> Becta under fire for procurement framework
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | Nineteen MPs have accused a government agency of restricting the
> | procurement of software in schools.
> `----
>
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/29/becta_procurement_criticised/
>
>
> MPs criticise government roadblocks to Open Source adoption in schools
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | The UK Government's own studies have shown savings of up to 60% can be
> | made by schools and colleges using Open Source software. Despite this
> | clear advantage, some MPs believe the software procurement frameworks
> | from Becta and official advice from DfES effectively locks out the us
> | of free, Open Source software.
> `----
>
> http://opensourceblog.itproportal.com/?p=220
>
>
> Becta's schools software scheme reported to EC
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | An advisor to Becta, the education technology quango, has complained
> | to the European Commission about its procurement process for firms
> | to provide online learning platforms and content to British schools.
> `----
>
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/08/becta_ec_complaint/
Ye gods!
Come on Mark, wherever you are, explain to me what this "buy out fee" is,
and why we are tolerating this situation.
To aid you, cop for this:-
(QUOTE)
- 55% of respondents said the buy-out payment was unaffordable or only
affordable with difficulty.
- For a typical secondary school the cost of buy-out for desktop products
alone would be the equivalent of a new teacher's annual salary.
- School subscription pricing is based on the total number of 'eligible'
computers irrespective of whether Microsoft software is installed, required
or used on all the computers.
- An eligible PC is defined as any computer with a Pentium II processor or
higher or Apple Macintoshes (G3 or higher) meaning that a school can find
itself paying for software that it cannot run on its Apple Macs.
- Every additional PC results in a higher subscription payment and increased
buy-out fee.
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