[ubuntu-za] Microsoft Schools agreement for South African Schools

[Vijay Makanjee]

In all these agreements, the end user gets screwed. Of more interest is 
why the school wants to go that route, when most of the things that kids 
need can be provided for by ubuntu or any other open source system. In 
fact there is meant to be a SA Govt cabinet resolution support FOSS.

It is clear that MS want's to suck in the kids so that as potential 
buyers in the future they would naturally go for the stuff they are 
familiar with


Vijay Makanjee
Ergo Planning | P O Box 19801 |  Tecoma 5214 | South Africa
+27 82 6014353



Raoul Snyman wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I just want to say first off that I don't trust Microsoft further than I
> can throw them.
> 
> On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:41:05 +0200, Phillip Pare <phillip.pare at up.ac.za>
> wrote:
>> I mentioned previously on this list my involvement with a Limpopo school 
>> that is running an Ubuntu based Tuxlab. The teachers are very keen to 
>> run MS software as Microsoft is promising them software at a reduced 
>> cost on condition that they sign the following agreement.
> 
>> Has anybody had any experience with this kind of agreement? I am rather 
>> cautious about advising the School to sign it because of Microsoft's 
>> reputation in some quarters.
> 
> How long does this discount apply for? While Windows itself might have a
> once-off cost, things like CALs (Client Access Licenses - needed for each
> computer/user connecting to Exchange and other Microsoft server products)
> often are annual payments. So does the school still get discounts on those
> after the first year? Does the school realise that there are plenty of
> hidden costs associated with Microsoft software? Things like anti-virus
> software, firewalls and Internet connectivity to keep viruses out and keep
> up-to-date against the latest flaw patches and virus database definitions.
> 
> They also mentioned no free support. From my experience, Windows computers
> *always* need support. Things break, virus infections are inevitable, and
> people click the wrong button all the time. This will definitely be an
> ongoing cost that most people do not take into account.
> 
> Personally, my advice would be to stay well away.
>