[Web4lib] Should the Gates Foundation Support Linux and Apple?

[Robert Balliot]

I had the same experience in Rhode Island.  The grant actually provided a
cash option. However, the aggregate system with server, support and training
to develop an internal security solution for public access computers
was much more valuable.

When I reviewed other libraries who had opted for cash, their public
offerings
were much more limited - even though they had much larger IT budgets.
They only added hardware to an existing system created with their in-house
intellectual capital. The solution offered by the Gates Grant was
the product of
collective efforts in many libraries in many environments.  We were one of
the
last states in the grant cycle and benefited from the wisdom gained by
testing,
implementing, and solving the problems with the earlier configurations.

Making the entire suite of Microsoft Office available to the public
also meant that
the public could learn how to use those tools, develop marketable skills,
and bring those
skills to their own workplace.  It is certainly less expensive to use Open
Source and
Linux - but familiarity with Microsoft Office is a fundamental requirement
for
many jobs.

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm





On Sun, Sep 6, 2009 at 11:58 PM, Michael J. Dargan <dargan at gmail.com> wrote:

> When our GF largesse appeared in 2003, the only restriction was that it be
> used by the public and not staff.  I'm pretty confident that I could have
> installed Linux on those Gateway workstations and no one would have cared.
> I'm neither Microsoft bigot nor Macintosh weenie:  both are fine systems.
>  However, it makes sense for the Gates Foundation to standardize hardware
> and software to simplify support.  Frankly, the GF work in Iowa was
> outstanding from beginning to end.
>
> My 2 cents.
>
> --mike
>
> On Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 9:11 AM, R. Wood <rw at ncf.ca> wrote:
>
> > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> > Hash: SHA1
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 02, 2009 at 08:20:02AM -0400, Thomas Dowling stated:
> > > On 09/02/2009 06:25 AM, Phil Shapiro wrote:
> > > > Here's a think-piece blog post i composed this morning about whether
> > > > the Gates Foundation should support the purchase of Linux and
> > > > Macintosh computers in public libraries.
> > >
> > > If we all say "yes", what then?  Stop taking their money until they
> > > give in?
> > >
> > > Thomas Dowling
> >
> > I'm curious to know what would happen if a computer donated by GF was
> > accepted as a donation, and then summarily re-installed with Linux as
> > the operating system (or even as a dual-boot system)?  Or is this
> > 'forbidden' by the GF overlords?
> >
> > If this is not an option, then why wait for GF, who is
> > apparently/logically beholden to the Windows operating system?  Just
> > begin to 'do it yourself' (DIY), one PC at a time.  Arrange to start
> > accepting donations of slightly older computers, and get some geeks from
> > the local Linux User Group (LUG) to start installing Linux on them.
> > Lather, rinse, repeat  :-)
> >
> > My $0.02,
> > Raymond
> > - --
> > "Be Nice, or Leave - By Order of the Management"
> > (Sign above door, Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield)
> > GPG Fingerprint: 2E4D 8605 DD48 E80F F893  1C02 B65D 86D9 3B3C 0E03
> > Encrypted E-mail Preferred
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> >
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>
>
> --
> Michael J. Dargan
> Reference & Technical Systems Administrator
> Waterloo PL Wishlist: http://tinyurl.com/dywdkw
> twitter.com/MikeDargan http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
> Sent from Iowa, United States
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