Technology Recycling for Excellence in Education
Open-Source: Alternative Fuel For Your Computer!
Besides our Project TREE Edubuntu computers, I have two computers at home which are currently running OpenSUSE. I am captivated by the idea of having these computers which have beautiful slick desktops, powerful office suites, and tons of games, and nothing on them was bought from the store. It almost feels like growing your own food, or raising your own livestock. Kind of "home-grown computing!"
With the price of gas what it is, I recently did some serious research into biofuel cars. Turns out I have lying around the house all the hardware I need to run a vegoil-blend vehicle, except for one main piece of equipment--a diesel car. Kind of throws a wrench into that plan, at least for now. But as I was thinking about what it would be like to have an alternative-fuel car, I realized I had the same feeling I get when I install Edubuntu or OpenSUSE on a laptop, or even just find a great open-source application for my Windows machine. It's that kind of do-it-yourself pride of finding an alternative to the usual, of not always being dependent on some large impersonal entity for your needs. It's also the feeling of taking a little more control of some portion of your life. It's empowering!
Schools often find themselves in a situation similar to the one we all face with rising fuel costs. In our state we have had several good budget years, but things aren't looking quite so good for the near future. School systems are looking at consolidating schools, delaying purchases, even cutting staff. Technology purchases often end up being one of the "luxuries" that get cut or delayed, when we all know that in today's high-tech economy, educational technology is a necessity, not a luxury.
Maybe it's time school administrators look at some "alternative fuel" options for their technology needs. Instead of just pulling up to the usual "pump" for their computer purchases and paying whatever is demanded, why not consider some "home grown" fuel instead? Recycling and reconfiguring hardware that's near the end of its normal life-cycle, and installing open-source software can provide technology access to students for a small fraction of the cost of new equipment, often as little as 10% of the cost of a typical computer lab. When it comes to technology, there are alternatives available, and choice is empowering!
With the price of gas what it is, I recently did some serious research into biofuel cars. Turns out I have lying around the house all the hardware I need to run a vegoil-blend vehicle, except for one main piece of equipment--a diesel car. Kind of throws a wrench into that plan, at least for now. But as I was thinking about what it would be like to have an alternative-fuel car, I realized I had the same feeling I get when I install Edubuntu or OpenSUSE on a laptop, or even just find a great open-source application for my Windows machine. It's that kind of do-it-yourself pride of finding an alternative to the usual, of not always being dependent on some large impersonal entity for your needs. It's also the feeling of taking a little more control of some portion of your life. It's empowering!
Schools often find themselves in a situation similar to the one we all face with rising fuel costs. In our state we have had several good budget years, but things aren't looking quite so good for the near future. School systems are looking at consolidating schools, delaying purchases, even cutting staff. Technology purchases often end up being one of the "luxuries" that get cut or delayed, when we all know that in today's high-tech economy, educational technology is a necessity, not a luxury.
Maybe it's time school administrators look at some "alternative fuel" options for their technology needs. Instead of just pulling up to the usual "pump" for their computer purchases and paying whatever is demanded, why not consider some "home grown" fuel instead? Recycling and reconfiguring hardware that's near the end of its normal life-cycle, and installing open-source software can provide technology access to students for a small fraction of the cost of new equipment, often as little as 10% of the cost of a typical computer lab. When it comes to technology, there are alternatives available, and choice is empowering!
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