[ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[john beddard]

Hello Gazz,Sarah :

I'm also interested in developing materials in the area of introducing
Ubuntu, as a non-profit. So please keep me in the information loop. I
would like to contribute.

Microsoft have embedded themselves in the schools/ university networks.
Spending a massive amount of resources in maintaining a presence in
these organisations. However many of the schools and universities are
still using XP, largely because of the cost of upgrading. In the current
economic climate they are certainly interested in at least benchmarking
Ubuntu with Win 7.

I know of one Uni seriously considering switching from Sage Quicken to
GnuCash as well as to Gimp from Adobe Photoshop. With the biggest source
of resistance being Sys Admins qualified in Windows networks.

Its also worth remembering that in most schools / universities they are
still not aware of the higher usability of Ubuntu for early users.

John

On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 12:17 +0100, gazz wrote:
> 
> 
> On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 11:43 +0100, Sarah Chard wrote:
> > O
> > n Fri, 2011-06-10 at 11:15 +0100, gazz wrote:
> > > We've previously found it difficult to do stuff in schools because
> > > policy has rather dictated an emphasis on Microsoft Office skills
> > > but this is changing and we're now looking at doing work in
> > > schools - particularly to develop a new generation of
> > > programmers. 
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > Paula
> > 
> > Paula
> > 
> > We've talked about this quite a bit at our LUG meetings and have put
> > special emphasis on contacting teachers and students for our open
> > source events - 
> > we had some success at our March event as we had a number of
> > students from the local 6th form college who attended.
> > we are looking to build on this for our event in sept for software
> > freedom day - so any ideas gratefully received 
> > I would be interested in developing material to make it easier for
> > teachers / students to get started - it would be useful to have a
> > resource that local LUGS and others could then tap into if they are
> > trying to get interest in schools and colleges in their area.
> > 
> > Sarah
> 
> Hi Sarah - OK sounds good! I need to look for some funding to develop
> this - we're working on doing an Ubuntu-basics course for our
> non-profits and this could be adapted for schools. We're also looking
> at doing some programming basics workshops for schools. It's in the
> very early stages (and I keep getting sidetracked cos we lost the bulk
> of our funding in April and it's been a bit hellish) but I'll keep you
> posted. 
> 
> Let me know if you happen to visit London, maybe we could meet up? I
> think we're doing pretty similar work. Also, I'm in the process of
> setting up a women's FOSS advocacy network with Anna from Open
> Computers in Manc (who's also doing similar work) - I'll send you
> details when we get under way? 
> 
> By the way, do you know Richard Ross-Langley who used to be the
> circuit rider? He has good contacts with the VCS and comes down to the
> FOSS Fridays frequently. 
> 
> Paula