Technogory

There have been quite a few great articles on how public schools are implementing Linux desktops and Open Source throughout their campuses and finding success. There is even a site that gives you a lot of resources on how to get this done. They are using Open Source counterparts to the typical licensed software provided by 3rd parties and Microsoft to get their work done. Much of this has been in part to the volunteer geeks in the Linux world. Could this be the generation that fosters the planted seed that becomes a Linux revolution?

For some time, folks have argued whether this is the year of the Linux desktop. I have even offered my opinion on the subject before. Last year, I recommended Linux to my family members. Meeting my expectations, the younger the generation, the better the implementation. Why is this? Because older geeks are like older dogs - they can’t be taught a new trick! Even if they can, they aren’t willing! I was in a meeting not long ago where a discussion came up about re-tooling some techs to start working with Java and JBoss. The techs were old main-framers; their response was why? Why should they take the time to learn something new?

For Generation-Next, nothing is too hard to learn or beyond their capabilities! It’s exciting to see, they don’t seem to care and haven’t been jaded into thinking the only right way is the old way.

So, the Linux desktop is coming. But I think it may be coming by way of Generation-Next. The more schools that can implement a successful plan and implement Linux and Open Source where Microsoft and 3rd party licensed software exists, the more success Linux will have! I’m not saying it will be easy, you still have teachers that may not be capable of implementing such a plan, or even teaching the ways of Open Source…but if they took the time to learn they might find it’s not that hard! So, this is a call to all you “geeks” that have kids in school. Get involved in your kids education by getting involved with their school programs. Provide leadership and help them implement Open Source alternatives. By doing so, you are planting a seed that will grow and foster with Generation-Next!

I visited with a teacher from the San Francisco area during Linux World. I don’t recall the school she was from, but she was from a public school that just couldn’t afford computers. The students there should get the same teaching, right? She told me how she went to Microsoft and IBM to see if there wasn’t something they could do. Nothing, short of a big price tag this school couldn’t afford! This teacher was on her own, looking for ways to give these kids something other kids took for granted. We met in front of the Ubuntu both! The demonstrators weren’t available - one was talking to a potential date, I think… So, I whipped out my laptop and demonstrated Ubuntu to her, took the CD’s from the booth and gave them to her, and then got the eye of one of the both techs that could talk to her. She went away excited about the prospects for her kids! I don’t know the outcome, but I do know that if she was successful in getting this done, those kids are benefiting, and Linux and Open Source will benefit greatly in a few more years!