The K-12 Open Source Classroom

Bringing Open Source (Free and Free) into the Classroom

Posts Tagged Open Office

It’s Official–I Will Get an EVO!

Jul 23

Posted by admin in OSS Applications, hardware, open source | No Comments

HTC's EVO

Yup, Mine is On the Way!

I finally made my choice.  I put in my order for an HTC Evo from Sprint.  I actually talked with one of our business reps and went with Sprint’s Everything Data plan.  That will give me and my wife unlimited texting, data, and 1500 minutes between us.  Definitely more than enough.  The exciting thing out of the deal will be she will have an Android phone as well–Samsung’s Intercept, in pink.

Look for some reviews coming soon!  I cannot wait to begin adding apps to both phones, as I already began looking through some websites rating Android Apps, like http://www.androidapps.com/.  In about a week, I will get my phone!!!

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image used under Creative Commons license by flickr user louisvalant

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Microsoft Beginning to Sweat Over Google Docs

Jun 22

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Google Apps

Google Apps--Should This Worry Microsoft?

Seems the boys in Redmond noticed all the K-20 institutions switching to Google Apps for Education. Just in our State alone, NC State switched, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and about 20 school systems, including ours.  Yes, cost definitely exists as a large factor, but Google Apps provides a good product as well.  While not quite open, unlike Android, which Google develops, I feel comfortable using it knowing Google will tightly integrate it into the upcoming Chrome OS and of course Android.

So, with all this interest in Google Docs, what does Microsoft do?  In the most recent eSchool News (http://www.eschoolnews.com/), Microsoft will team up with the popular ePals email system.  We actually have some schools using ePals to pen pal with other classrooms around the world.  Microsoft will provide their Live@edu email service and calendaring to the users.  Apparently, ePals users will also eventually receive the Microsoft suite of office tools online sometime in the future as well.

While some may see this as Microsoft providing a service to customers, I, of course, always the skeptic, see it as Microsoft trying to ensure the use of their Office Suite.  If people continue to use Google Docs and free/open source products, such as Open Office, there will be fewer overpriced office suites sold.  I wonder if they really are beginning to hurt from the high usage of Google Docs and Open Office.  We will really give Google Docs a strong look, and maybe I can persuade my staff and district to abandon Microsoft Office entirely.  It will take a little doing, but hopefully we can eventually do this. And I do not think we will be the first ones…

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Ubuntu Computers for Less Fortunate

Jun 18

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Kramden Institute logo

Kramden--Ubuntu Computers for All!

So often I wanted to find a company to share my skills with, a volunteer opportunity that would really help families.  My thought was to purchase some surplused computers from our district auction, thrown on Ubuntu, and put them in a community center or donate to families.

Looks like I found a way to begin my work.  Kramden Institute, a non-profit in Durham, NC, does just that.  By visiting  http://www.kramden.org/, you can learn about their mission, see how you can either donate time or money to help, and see some of their many accomplishments.

What a great way to help those less fortunate.  As their pages say, imagine not using computers the past 10 years.  I see this in schools, kids so excited at their once a week computer class, since they do not have a computer at home.  In a plugged in world, we do families a great disservice if we cannot provide computers to them.  And of course, using Ubuntu, throwing on a bunch of open source software, and some internets, we can begin tackling the digital divide.  Bravo to Kramden for beginning this program in North Carolina.  I hope other organizations do this across the country as well.

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Open Source Alternatives–Osalt

May 19

Posted by admin in OSS Applications, open source | No Comments

Osalt Logo

Osalt: Your Guide to All Apps Open Source

Looking for an open source application to one of your proprietary ones?  Not sure what’s out there in a particular category?  Then you definitely need to visit the OSALT website.  Osalt, or Open Source As Alternative, lists top open source applications and top proprietary applications.  Right from the front page you can begin finding good OSS alternatives to programs such as Photoshop, Citrix, iTunes, and Nero Burning ROM.   For instance, it lists Amarok (I use this one!) and Songbird as alternatives to iTunes.  I definitely recommend Amarok, as I use it.  Songbird is a great choice, although they recently stopped Linux development.

On the site, you can click one of the Top 10s and see a review of the application.  Looking at Dia, for instance, you will see a link to the website, a brief description, a rating (3 out of 5 stars), and other apps similar to Dia.  Dia, if unaware, allows you to receive some of the Visio functionality.  In schools, we use it in place of Inspriation.

You can also just search or go through the directory.  A definite must is to subscribe to their RSS feed, to receive updates of new software.  Osalt definitely will help you in finding the Open Source alternatives to go an open source world!

http://www.osalt.com/

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Google Apps for Education

May 12

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Google For Education

Google Apps For Education, Not Open Source, But an Increasingly Popular Option

Apparently the entire state of Oregon just recently announced that their entire state will switch to Google Apps for Education for their K-12 schools.  While not forcing schools to do this, they are publicizing potential cost savings at $1.5 million, so how long do you think the Oregon taxpayers will let schools use their existing solutions.  I would venture to say those cost estimates are low.  In our district alone, with renewing licenses, additional storage space, and more, I estimate we spend $25,000 a year on maintaining Exchange, for now.  I say for now, as we begin to move to Google Apps for Education as well.  We expect to deploy this fall, but we already have it set up on our domain.  We needed some solution for student email, and while we do not have immediate plans for Google to take over our Exchange, I do think eventually it will come.

Very interesting product though, or line of products.  Google Apps gives a district email, online collaborative details, chat, and webpages that a school system would not need to host.  Saves time and money there.  Definitely nice to provide those 21st Century tools that allows for 21st Century skill work, such as collaboration.  While I do not quite see Google’s reasoning for giving it free to schools, schools definitely continue to jump on board.  Here in NC, I know of about 5 K-12 districts fully deployed and many more in the process or contemplating it.  NC State University also recently announced they would move their email to Google.  Interesting.

Makes me wonder how long it will take for school systems to consider other free and open source options.  Think of the savings of an entire state who moves to Linux.  How about no more $50.00 per license of MS Office for moving to Open Office.  With the next two years being the very difficult years for public education, I would not be surprised, and would be very happy to see this happen.

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