[ILUG] 2 new articles on website (Nature of Linux & Open Sour ce in Primary Education)

[Reilly, John]

Hi all,
I think theres a very important point that no-one has mentioned in the
thread - you have to look at it from more than just the tech angle.
Consider the percentage of GNP that Microsoft contributes to Ireland.  It is
quite substantial, and that, I believe, is the reason for the Government to
keep pushing use of Microsoft products in the ECDL, both here and in the EU
in general, since the exported software makes Ireland's balance sheet look
better.  I'm not going to go on and quote figures, because I don't have them
to hand - its an exercise for the reader :)

 From a tech perspective, Linux is the way to go for a lot of things, but if
you were looking at balance sheets, didn't really care about tech apart from
its ability to generate growth and revenue, and in addition you have the
power to sway decision making to your way of thinking, which way would you
go.  Its not really a hypothetical situation - Money talks every time.

Anyway, thats my take on it.

Cheers,
John

> Hi,
> there are two new articles on the ILUG website which you might be
> interested in reading:
> 
> On The Nature of Linux
> Mark Finlay has written an introduction to Linux covering the theory,
> how it differs under the hood from Windows and what it can do for you.
> Intended audience: beginners & novices.
> http://www.linux.ie/articles/onthenatureoflinux.php
> 
> 
> Open Source in Primary Education
> David Howe, Chairman of the National Parent Council-Primary (NPC-P)
> Wicklow Branch, has written an article describing the lack of 
> Freedom of
> Choice available to Open Source adopters at primary school level.
> http://www.linux.ie/articles/opensourceinprimaryeducation.php
>