Enterprise open source Toolkit

Story: Microsoft's education claims rebuffed

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I keep hearing this tired and invalid argument that we should be sticking with Windows "because that's what they'll have to use when they leave school".

These arguments can only be made by people who have never used anything except for Windows.

Anyone who cannot switch between different similar applications on Windows, Mac, or Linux and be up to speed within a couple of hours is really incapable of using a computer effectively, and will struggle to use Windows in any case.

Familiarity with specific applications is NOT what is taught in schools. If it was we would be sending the kids on generic software training courses and not bothering equipping the schools with expensive PC kit.

What IS taught is concepts and techniques which are applicable across platforms.

As for vocational training, open source gives a massive opportunity to provide exposure to real-world computing platforms and technologies that are difficult or expensive to provide on Windows, and to help fill a knowledge gap. Things like SQL, PHP, UML tools, Object Oriented design and programming.

The reality is, most of the very skilled IT professionals in the market today didn't grow up with Windows in their school. They had BBC Micros, Sinclair Spectrums, Amstrad CPCs, Ataris, Nascoms, and Dragons, and few would claim they are less skilled because of it.

With this in mind, how can (for instance) Linux as an advanced, modern computing environment harm children's educaton. It can't! In fact much of the evidence suggests it could be good for them.

So let's get our heads out of the sand, and give it a go.

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