Australian Digital Education Revolutionbeing a BIG blow for Linux.

[Paul Shirren]

On 25/05/10 9:05 AM, harry at ipunix.com wrote:
> All this points out that we the Linux (Ubuntu) users must be active not
> only within our own group(s) but engage direct with the community in
> general, visit schools, educate hardware vendors and lobby with the
> Australian Federal and State Governments.

One alternative is for families eligible for FTB Part A (or independent
students) to claim the Education Tax Refund towards a netbook/notebook
running Ubuntu and take it to school instead of or alongside their DER
funded netbook. Can claim up to $750 refund for $1500 spend for a
secondary student or $375 for $750 spend for primary. Best to see your
accountant for more info.

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/00166469.htm&page=1

I think the problem with most of the DER based schemes is not their
choice of Windows7/Netbooks but that they do not recognise that personal
computing can and should involve personal choices. They have been used
to extend the jurisdiction of school mandatory filtering and software
management into homes.

Would anyone here be willing to assist an education department prepare
an Ubuntu netbook with remote kill, locked down applications, mandatory
internet filtering and other unknown privacy infringements and
restrictions. I wouldn't. It wouldn't be in the spirit of free software
and would offer few real advantages over Windows. But that is the sort
of environment being shipped. So is the problem the choice of Windows or
the lack of choice for students?

BTW the opposition will cancel the DER if elected.