Comments on: Too many variables http://www.hackersforcharity.org/hackers-for-charity/too-many-variables/ Hackers For Charity Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:08:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: admin http://www.hackersforcharity.org/hackers-for-charity/too-many-variables/comment-page-1/#comment-2883 admin Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:52:13 +0000 http://www.hackersforcharity.org/?p=354#comment-2883 Wolfgang- Agreed. The taxes will be waived eventually, but this is out first foray into a government school. It's an experiment, a favor, and a relationship builder. Computer used for education (as opposed to computers used for business) are tax-exempt if you have the forms. Before I ask for the form, I'll build this classroom. John- Windows skills are critical right now. Windows skills (here) can land someone myriad office jobs, where as Linux skills are just not marketable. The first goal of the computer class is to provide students (children and adults) with skills they can use to lift themselves out of poverty. I am a big fan of Linux (obviously) but the H/P/V/A argument isn't compelling enough to make me want to switch for the classrooms. It is a problem that we solve with DeepFreeze (http://www.faronics.com). After every reboot, the system is rolled back. Nothing except data on the "thawed" drive (T:) survives, and that drive is purged manually and regularly. Sorry about your sister =) Thanks for the comments, guys! Wolfgang- Agreed. The taxes will be waived eventually, but this is out first foray into a government school. It’s an experiment, a favor, and a relationship builder. Computer used for education (as opposed to computers used for business) are tax-exempt if you have the forms. Before I ask for the form, I’ll build this classroom.

John- Windows skills are critical right now. Windows skills (here) can land someone myriad office jobs, where as Linux skills are just not marketable. The first goal of the computer class is to provide students (children and adults) with skills they can use to lift themselves out of poverty. I am a big fan of Linux (obviously) but the H/P/V/A argument isn’t compelling enough to make me want to switch for the classrooms. It is a problem that we solve with DeepFreeze (http://www.faronics.com). After every reboot, the system is rolled back. Nothing except data on the “thawed” drive (T:) survives, and that drive is purged manually and regularly. Sorry about your sister =)

Thanks for the comments, guys!

]]> By: James http://www.hackersforcharity.org/hackers-for-charity/too-many-variables/comment-page-1/#comment-2881 James Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:07:02 +0000 http://www.hackersforcharity.org/?p=354#comment-2881 I would love to come out and help you for a couple of weeks. Can we get a sponsor for my flight and some floor space for my head to sleep? I would love to come out and help you for a couple of weeks.
Can we get a sponsor for my flight and some floor space for my head to sleep?

]]> By: John Harrison http://www.hackersforcharity.org/hackers-for-charity/too-many-variables/comment-page-1/#comment-2880 John Harrison Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:09:07 +0000 http://www.hackersforcharity.org/?p=354#comment-2880 Hi Johnny, Why, why, why are you planning on shackling them to Windows? I live in the UK, and when I was home in NZ in 2001 I bought my sister a brand new PC so that she could get on the Net so we could stay in touch (she'd never used a computer up till then) I reasoned with myself that if I got her a machine with Windows instead of starting her with Linux, then I wouldn't be the only person that could support it for her (there weren't so many people offering Linux support in those days) - others in the community on the small island I come from could help... Ever since I have kicked myself for that dumb decision. The way it worked out was that she got hit with spyware, viruses, and semi-computer literate friends, visitors etc installing crap that eventually made her PC unusable. She went from being computer illiterate, to being computer phobic/hating because Windows gave her so much hassle, and as a result she never goes on the computer or emails me anyway. That was a perfect opportunity to start out with a computer virgin, and have her grow considering Linux/Open Source/Free to be 'normal' and the right way to do things, be free of viruses, get better use of her hardware etc (i.e. need less resources), not to mention my being able to login and support it for her remotely when needed. I'm sure OLPC thought things out carefully before choosing Linux. Would the needs of kids in Uganda not be similar? John Hi Johnny,

Why, why, why are you planning on shackling them to Windows?

I live in the UK, and when I was home in NZ in 2001 I bought my sister a brand new PC so that she could get on the Net so we could stay in touch (she’d never used a computer up till then)

I reasoned with myself that if I got her a machine with Windows instead of starting her with Linux, then I wouldn’t be the only person that could support it for her (there weren’t so many people offering Linux support in those days) – others in the community on the small island I come from could help…

Ever since I have kicked myself for that dumb decision.

The way it worked out was that she got hit with spyware, viruses, and semi-computer literate friends, visitors etc installing crap that eventually made her PC unusable.

She went from being computer illiterate, to being computer phobic/hating because Windows gave her so much hassle, and as a result she never goes on the computer or emails me anyway.

That was a perfect opportunity to start out with a computer virgin, and have her grow considering Linux/Open Source/Free to be ‘normal’ and the right way to do things, be free of viruses, get better use of her hardware etc (i.e. need less resources), not to mention my being able to login and support it for her remotely when needed.

I’m sure OLPC thought things out carefully before choosing Linux. Would the needs of kids in Uganda not be similar?

John

]]> By: Wolfgang Kais http://www.hackersforcharity.org/hackers-for-charity/too-many-variables/comment-page-1/#comment-2877 Wolfgang Kais Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:17:59 +0000 http://www.hackersforcharity.org/?p=354#comment-2877 Dear Johnny. You are building a computer room for the education of that countrie's children and they want you to pay tax for the equipment that ís used? I wouldn't agree. Concerning the imaging: Have you thought of installing a dc (W2003) with dns, dhcp and ris? Kind regards and good luck, Wolfgang Dear Johnny.
You are building a computer room for the education of that countrie’s children and they want you to pay tax for the equipment that ís used? I wouldn’t agree. Concerning the imaging: Have you thought of installing a dc (W2003) with dns, dhcp and ris?
Kind regards and good luck,
Wolfgang

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