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Story: Government agency tells schools to shun Vista

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How Blindfolded a View

The government point of view here is so blindfolded, in a school environment I would think one should be empowering children with the skills required for the workplace once they progress from school. To this end it is essential that they have the awareness of new and upcoming software. When a child in senior/high school leaves in a 2-4 years time Vista is likely to be the OS they are confronted with in the workplace and so too Office 2007. By suggesting that schools hold of on Vista and Office 2007 the government is withholding this opportunity for children to acquire skills and be prepared for the workplace, indeed even hold an advantage in the workplace.

With the above students view in mind it would seam an evident point that teachers and alike would need familiarity with the same so as to be in a position to assist scholars when required.

I an appreciate that administration departments and none student areas may be advised to remain with an up to date XP / Office 2003 installation as it is true that Vista / Office 2007 has an unknown quantity with regard security, reliance, although from experience both are at least as stable as the previous versions - in deed they are most likely more secure and stable.

I am not however blind to Opensource software which I believe should be used throughout our educational establishments, in the main this is a cost based analysis but familiarity and awareness of options is essential to students too.

The very lease I would expect is a qualified advice from the government suggesting in what areas Vista and Office 2007 should be employed, imagine a IT student leaves college familiar with XP and Visual Studio 2003 in two years time, a lot of catching up to do before they are even employable.

A student leaves familiar with Office 2003 and walks in to an interview for a reception/office assistant job in 3 years time, Office 2007-8 will be what is no doubt required then and there is a difference here for sure.

A rethink required and a more informative advice required me thinks.

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