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Becta, open source and education: Too little, too late?
,----[ Quote ]
| Slow adoption of open source and free software in UK schools can be
| attributed to the same kind of inertia that afflicts SMEs in the UK. It
| arises from a fear of the unknown, misapprehensions of the capabilities of
| the software, over-reliance on trusted suppliers, and general lack of
| awareness of the alternatives - but the major obstacle has been a lack of
| coordination, direction or understanding from the relevant authorities,
| exacerbated by a series of agreements with Microsoft at government level that
| have effectively tied the education system into Microsoft-only solutions.
`----
http://www.itpro.co.uk/603639/becta-open-source-and-education-too-little-too-late
BECTA seems to have chosen a Microsoft/Windows shop (for so-called 'open
source' at schools) whose site just won't work without Flash (the site runs
Windows). What a farce! Later on they might use this farce to throw 'blame'
and pull a Newham. People have begun slamming BECTA for it.
Recent:
Schools set to go open source
,----[ Quote ]
| Officially sanctioned open source and free-to-use software could be in use
| across the UK education system within months after government education
| agency Becta issued a tender for a four-year framework agreement.
|
| Becta is looking for up to 10 software suppliers to participate in the £80m
| framework that will launch in October. This will replace its software
| licensing framework, in place since April 2005.
|
| The contract notice says: “We are particularly seeking suppliers which can
| provide a comprehensive choice of software solutions including appropriate
| open source and free-to-use alternatives and advise users on best-value
| licensing.”
|
| Solutions should be cost-effective, but provide freedom of choice, said a
| Becta spokeswoman.
|
| “We’re providing guidance on the educational elements and looking for
| suppliers that can provide comprehensive choice,” she said.
`----
http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2217224/schools-set-open-source-4017531
Microsoft pledge could cut tech costs for schools
,----[ Quote ]
| In a development that could make it easier for schools to use cheaper, open
| technologies instead of proprietary programs, Microsoft said it will make its
| Office 2007 software compatible with the OpenDocument Format (ODF).
`----
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/technology-management/?i=53888;_hbguid=4113a380-0dd4-4068-93f9-33de105bc043&d=top-news
London council dumps Microsoft, may go open source instead
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| NEWHAM LONDON Borough Council has scrapped the controversial 10-year
| Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed with Microsoft in 2004 and drawn
| up a new agreement with a new set of deliverables.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/04/18/microsoft-flagship-flounders
Open source trumps Microsoft in UK schools
,----[ Quote ]
| MICROSOFT has suffered further set-backs in the UK education sector this week
| after Becta, the government procurement quango, reformed its purchasing
| regime to break the software giant's hold on education, and launched a
| programme to get schools to adopt open source software.
|
| At least three open source software suppliers submitted tenders to Becta
| yesterday for the £270,000 Schools Open Source Project. The winner will spend
| two years building a community of schools which uses and develops its own
| open source alternatives to Microsoft software.
|
| Becta has also specifically called on open source companies to join its £80
| million framework list of certified suppliers of software to schools,
| contracts for which will be awarded in June. The last framework list
| consisted entirely of Microsoft suppliers and drew Becta widespread criticism
| for favouring the convicted monopolist over cheaper, homegrown alternatives.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/05/21/open-source-trumps-microsoft-uk
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