Productivity and School Funding
Disclaimer
For those who know me the sarcasm of this post will bleed through, however, there is some truth and a valid reason to consider what you are about to read.
A few weeks back, I posted What should Microsoft say to Open Office apps? This weekend I learned of PortableApps.com and all the portable applications I can run from my flash drive. As I explored the many software applications on this web site, my mind kept going back to the multiple conversations I have with other technology educators concerning funding and the cost of keeping mainstream applications available to our students.
I am a huge fan of Microsoft Office 2007 and several versions which came before, but I also realize our schools require more funding and much of the technology we enjoy in our schools was added without additional monies. In a nut shell, the money we are using for technology used to pay for something else. Keeping with that line of thought, we as technology educators are demanding more technology in the classroom and resources from the network. With a downturn in the economy we are faced with the challenge of increasing the use of technology with less and less funding. (Remember there is no whining in Education Technology!)
Here comes the sarcasm but… it could work.
PortableApps.com offers all the productivity tools we require e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation software, email client, calendar, web browser, plus a few additional applications for power users. These applications are free, however, they need to be run from a flash drive. Enter the first cost but this cost is cheap. We can buy an 8 gigabyte flash drive from Amazon for 40 dollars. Now, we have productivity applications and storage for 40 bucks a person.
Email seems to be a lifeline for most educators and Google is now giving that away. (Read more here.) With the addition of Gmail, staff and students have the option to use the browser to check their email or the Thunderbird client built into the Portable Application Suite. They also have the option to use Google Docs or the Portable Application Suite so they always have access to their files. Not bad and we are still only out 40 bucks per person.
What about the desktop computer? While it is true we could get rid of Windows all together for a flavor of Linux, many school districts own the version of Windows the machine came with and the Portable Application Suite requires Windows. As you can see, there is no reason to toss the baby out with the bath water, but we do need to keep the machines usable with limited technical support. In most cases, the IT shop can lock the machine down so you and I can’t install software. They could spend a few more dollars on a product like Deep Freeze, which allows a person to install software, however, once the system is rebooted, the machine returns to its original state. (Microsoft makes a product that does this but the name has slipped my mind.)
What about server storage for personal files? Not to worry, each person has an 8 gigabyte flash drive and if they need more, they can visit their favorite computer store.
What about backing up the users data? Again not to worry, there is a backup utility built into the Portable Application Suite. All the user has to do is point it to a location for the file to live, I recommend another flash drive.
If there are users who wish to work in a collaborative environment, they can use Google Docs. Those wishing to have a web site can use one of the many difference free tools, including the the Google web page tool and if they want a blog, Google can do that too or they can use one of the many other free blogging tools. Of course, there are a number of different Wiki tools freely available which could be used to collaborate and save the school district money.
The last item that comes to mind, should every person in the environment be required to use these tools or just “some” people be allowed to use the mainstream tools? My opinion on this is simple, if it really is about saving money, everyone should have to use the same tools.
Back to reality. Do I really believe we as educators should do something this drastic? Do I really believe we should give up our mainstream and enterprise tools? The answer to that is simple. NO! However, we are being forced to think outside of the box and forced to look at doing things which are less expensive. I like saving money and I believe we should do so where and when possible. But, less expensive is not always better. We need to consider these non-mainstream tools closely and heavily involve our communities in these discussions before we make such drastic changes.
nice aticle
June 29, 2008 @ 7:02 am