OS or MS in UK schools?
p2pnet.net News:- Using open source instead of Microsoft could save millions of badly needed pounds for schools in Britain, says the Times Educational Supplement.
Primary schools in Britain could cut PC costs by almost 50% if they stop using Microsoft products, it says, referring to a UK government report.
“Secondaries could also slash their information technology overheads by a quarter if they moved away from Microsoft and other commercial programs, according to an analysis carried out by the British Educational Communications and Technology Association, the Government’s ICT agency,” the TES continues.
“The findings could undermine Microsoft’s hold on the education market, but they raise the prospect of millions of pounds of savings for British schools and colleges which spend around £1 billion a year on ICT.”
The report, which hasn’t been officially published, will highlight schools, “which have turned to free software instead of the market leader’s products,” says the TES, adding:
“Becta does not name Microsoft in its analysis. But almost all schools use some of the company’s products.”
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See:-
Times Educational Supplement – Ditching Microsoft can save millions, May 6, 2005
