[ubuntu-nz] Progress on coordinator / NZ specific projects?

[Aaron Whitehouse]

Hi,

> The fact that all MS software is available to schools at no cost through a country wide licensing agreement (27.5 million which could otherwise have helped to support schools)
>
> http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=9556
>
> makes that a harder uphill battle (see the press release link in the above for the article with the dollar figure).

I agree that this sort of deal by the Government obscures the
economics of software purchases. On the other hand, it isn´t just MS
doing it. Novell has a deal as well, as far as I know:
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39209666,00.htm

and I believe that the first company to offer deals for schools was Apple.

I´m also sure that there is *some* philanthropy involved, as well as
gaining exposure to an entire generation. From what I have heard, it
makes IT in schools a heck of a lot easier than when each software
purchase had to go in the budget.

Aaron