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I do tend to take a different approach to the issue in other venues and
forums. ;)<br>
<br>
Roland Gesthuizen wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:8c788a890805080646u45af22d8m2c6d17918564c0e4@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">I have to agree with Pia,<br>
<br>
Sometimes when we are asked why we might use an open source tool, it is
sometimes sufficient to say that it is a good point to start teaching
students and certainly enough to say that it is FUN! <br>
<br>
There needs to be some dignity in any debate that surrounds any open
source issues. We also need to be cautious about making sweeping claims
or kicking any handy commercial software provider. It is only when I am
pressed that I try to explain some of the cost, freedom and other
advantages.<br>
<br>
regards Roland<br>
<br>
PS: I will admit to being weary of correcting those who state that the
software provided on their teacher laptops is free, pointing out that
the generosity of the Australian tax payers has paid for this software.
It is about as 'free' as the classroom lighting / heating and Internet
bandwidth that they so generously
consume and I pay for (sigh) .. <br>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">2008/5/8 Pia Waugh <<a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:pia@waughpartners.com.au">pia@waughpartners.com.au</a>>:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi
Cameron,<br>
<br>
<quote who="Cameron Bell"><br>
<div class="Ih2E3d"><br>
> There is also a great article in this months Australian Photography<br>
> Magazine about archiving digital prints and files and the critical
role<br>
> FOSS is playing in preserving our heritage. Worth a read.<br>
<br>
</div>
Cool, will check it out.<br>
<div class="Ih2E3d"><br>
> You know I'm onside Pia, I just have very little faith in Ed
bureaucracy<br>
> who want a managed standard system which aren't using standards at
all. For<br>
> those in suits in town, its often about the deals that can be
done, not<br>
> what is best or just plain right.<br>
<br>
</div>
I know you are onside, as are all of the members of our community. But
we<br>
need to make a conscious effort to be positive, even in the face of<br>
adversity (when it is there) because most people in Government are
actually<br>
smart cookies. Often they are bound by some pretty stupid conventions,
or<br>
policies, or whatever, so the best we can do is continue to assist them
in<br>
making it easier for Government to use and hopefully participate in FOSS<br>
where it meets their needs.<br>
<br>
I am keenly aware of several perspectives in our community which assume
the<br>
worst, and this doesn't actually help us in our comulative goal :) When
the<br>
ATO story came out:<br>
<br>
(<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/soa/Australian-Tax-Office-Bill-Gibson-CIO-/0,139023731,339286886,00.htm"
target="_blank">http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/soa/Australian-Tax-Office-Bill-Gibson-CIO-/0,139023731,339286886,00.htm</a>)<br>
<br>
many people "in the FOSS community" said some really nasty and demeaning<br>
things about the CIO of the ATO. I emailed him saying I'd like to chat
with<br>
him about FOSS and was told I was the _only_ person from the FOSS
community<br>
who had been even vaguely reasonable in response to the article. This<br>
reflects badly on us all. Turns out he isn't a bad bloke, and will use
FOSS<br>
where it meets their needs. As we all know most "concerns" about FOSS
can be<br>
overcome through education and outreach.<br>
<div class="Ih2E3d"><br>
Cheers,<br>
Pia<br>
<br>
--<br>
Waugh Partners<br>
<br>
m. +61 400 966 453<br>
p. +61 2 9318 0284<br>
f. +61 2 9318 2884<br>
w. <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://waughpartners.com.au/"
target="_blank">http://waughpartners.com.au/</a><br>
<br>
Open Source: Strategic Consulting, Industry Development, Research &
Analysis<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
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</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<br clear="all">
<br>
-- <br>
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br>
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