Forced to use Windows at school

[dr.koljan]

Here's the problem:

I am learning in a middle school and we have computer classes. During them, we are forced to learn and use Microsoft products like Windows and Office. I hate Microsoft products. Is there anything I can do? Can anyone give me a piece of advice?

Any help will be much appreciated.

[sayakb]

Ofcourse you can't go off the course material, just like we can't go off track from Windows in our college. So if you don't want to dual boot, install Windows on a Virtual Machine software like VirtualBox or VMWare.

[dr.koljan]

Ofcourse you can't go off the course material, just like we can't go off track from Windows in our college. So if you don't want to dual boot, install Windows on a Virtual Machine software like VirtualBox or VMWare.

We are not forced to install Windows on our own computers, but we do have to use it at school, and it's all so unorganized and confusing :(

[Joeb454]

There's not much you can do unfortunately :(

You could inform the school about Linux

[dr.koljan]

There's not much you can do unfortunately :(

You could inform the school about Linux

I've once made a "Windows vs Linux" presentation, but my teachers were skeptical about that, they probably can't believe a free operating system can actually be usable.

[Joeb454]

If you have a laptop, show them :)

[steveneddy]

Welcome to reality. In the "real world", Windows dominates.

I have a disdain for Windows, but I must use Windows at work.

Think of it as learning another language, a less sophisticated language, but another language.

I have learned to be the master of Windows, and I always have the upper hand at anything Windows in the office.

Get used to using Windows. You will appreciate Linux and open sourced software more in the end.

[gameryoshi600]

Welcome to reality. In the "real world", Windows dominates.

I have a disdain for Windows, but I must use Windows at work.

Think of it as learning another language, a less sophisticated language, but another language.

I have learned to be the master of Windows, and I always have the upper hand at anything Windows in the office.

Get used to using Windows. You will appreciate Linux and open sourced software more in the end.
Yeah this is what I was going to say. You should have knowledge of both windows and linux.

[Joeb454]

Thats the main reason I triple boot with XP & Vista :p

[seanc7]

Think about down the road, when you're looking for a job. If you're going into IT or even an office job in general, knowing Windows and Linux looks good on your resume.

[LaRoza]

Use portable apps.

http://portableapps.com/

I went through school using OpenOffice, Opera and all such apps.

http://www.kejut.com/operaportable

[AlexMono94]

I got a detention for not using Internet Explorer and using Maxthon (Firefox doesn't work in my school). My school is convinced that Windows is superior to anything in the world despite the fact that their servers run Ubuntu. :(

[Joeb454]

:lolflag:

That sucks that you got a Detention for that :( Schools are often naive when it comes to IT - it's when you reach a University - they're pretty good (mine runs a fedora server) and they support Linux pretty well :)

[AlexMono94]

It's a wonder how I didn't get an hour detention for running a live CD of Ubuntu right in sight of my I.T. teacher. I'll do anything to decrease Microsoft's market share! But come on! Maxthon uses Internet Explorer's rendering engine and any websites my school blocks are blocked no matter what browser you use!

[Joeb454]

I used a Live CD at school once - I think it was for 5.04 or 5.10. And the principle walked past - and the head of IT. Neither said anything :D

[AlexMono94]

Just wondering, my school has this evil piece of software called Impero which let's them steal documents from our USB drives, check our web history, ban our internet access and even delete stuff from our USB drives. Surely they shouldn't be allowed to delete stuff from USB drives!?

[nick09]

Inform them of edubuntu which is made for education.

[jw5801]

Just wondering, my school has this evil piece of software called Impero which let's them steal documents from our USB drives, check our web history, ban our internet access and even delete stuff from our USB drives. Surely they shouldn't be allowed to delete stuff from USB drives!?

Checking your web history and banning your internet access is completely ok, after all it's their connection you're using and I'm assuming it's only there for educational purposes. However scanning the contents of a student's private documents is a blatant invasion of privacy. Are you sure it actually "steals documents" from your flash drive. It seems to me that it's more likely to be doing virus scanning of some description and deleting things it finds suspicious, which is bad practise if it deletes things without prompting for user input, but I wouldn't call it evil.

[AlexMono94]

Checking your web history and banning your internet access is completely ok, after all it's their connection you're using and I'm assuming it's only there for educational purposes. However scanning the contents of a student's private documents is a blatant invasion of privacy. Are you sure it actually "steals documents" from your flash drive. It seems to me that it's more likely to be doing virus scanning of some description and deleting things it finds suspicious, which is bad practise if it deletes things without prompting for user input, but I wouldn't call it evil.

I'm sure, I had all these funny pictures on my flash drive and they got deleted. It wouldn't be antivirus because everytime the teacher logs on it says "Your Sophos subscription has expired" or something similar, also, Sophos would inform me as it has done in the past.

[Joeb454]

If they do actually check your USB files etc. Then I'm sure that is an invasion of privacy - virus scanning them however - is not :)

[yssida]

Why would they want to delete stuff from your USB drive? Surely you aren't circulating subversive documents or somesuch. What are their policies? I am not an expert on legal issues but what they are doing would not get my approval. I'd simply be forced to use more methods that would be difficult for them to spy on me. Perhaps partitioning the drive and then encrypting it. That's what I'd do. But seriously, no. If it's school policy, you can't really do much about it. Keep a separate personal USB drive, different from one you use. And don't use it at school..

[yssida]

from the website of impero lanhttp://www.imperosoftware.com/impero.asp
Monitoring:
# Centrally log all network computer activity
# View all open and previously opened resources
# Monitor & Record remote screens
# Detect written words & sentences, with evidence
# View screenshots of attempted banned resource access


Management:
# Blank/Freeze all computer screens
# Restrict users to a 'whitelist' of websites
# Block access to any website, application, folder or file
# Change Network Passwords
# Disable the Internet for an individual or the whole group
# Power on all computers
# Set Blocking Schedules
# Create simple or complex grouping structures
# Transfer Files/Folders to/from remote computers
# Send instant messages or create a chat forum
# Ask questions/survey
# Run Files and Websites
# Shutdown, Restart or Logoff any network user
# Disable duplicate logons
# Automatic shutdown/logoff when idle for a period
# Remote Command Prompt
# Scheduled Power-up and Shutdown
# Remote Task Manager
# Remote Log on
# Remote Find/Delete Files

[unbuntued]

Barbaric situations require barbaric solutions. Because some system administrators are really stuborn and incompetent. They can't even handle windows properly, so why even bother trying linux. You should find a way to bypass all the restrictions.

If you're using Windows XP, you should try getting the administrator password (just google for that, there's dozens of free tools, usually using a boot cd). Then when you use windows, you're in control of the situation, and you can shut down applications such as impero or else. I'm not encouraging hacking, but I think you should be in control whenever you're using a PC.

If you decide to go diplomatically though, I think the best way is to convince the school of moving to linux. You could base your explanations on real-life examples and insist on the financial gain of doing so.

[Canis familiaris]

I've once made a "Windows vs Linux" presentation, but my teachers were skeptical about that, they probably can't believe a free operating system can actually be usable.

Well this happens everywhere. However do not be disheartened by their attitude. You know better.

Personally I had used Windows for six years before switching to Ubuntu so I have sound Windows knowledge which I try to forget.:lolflag:

[Canis familiaris]

When I was at school I loved to get evil sometimes. If you really want to pull the legs of your school authorities for not even considering Linux then just make a batch file(text file of .bat) and add the code:

shutdown -r -t:0

and save it in the All User Startup folder.
This is a small way by which windows will restart every bootup except in Safe Mode.
CAUTION: May reduce the admin to tears especially if he is a nutter.
:evil::twisted::evil::twisted::evil::twisted:

[kamaboko]

Here's the problem:

I am learning in a middle school and we have computer classes. During them, we are forced to learn and use Microsoft products like Windows and Office. I hate Microsoft products. Is there anything I can do? Can anyone give me a piece of advice?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Be thankful you have the opportunity to learn anything relative to computers at your age. I've traveled through darn near all of Asia and I can you there are millions of kids that wouldn't complain and would easily trade places with you. Don't be so ungrateful.

[dr.koljan]

When I was at school I loved to get evil sometimes. If you really want to pull the legs of your school authorities for not even considering Linux then just make a batch file(text file of .bat) and add the code:

shutdown -r -t:0

and save it in the All User Startup folder.
This is a small way by which windows will restart every bootup except in Safe Mode.
CAUTION: May reduce the admin to tears especially if he is a nutter.
:evil::twisted::evil::twisted::evil::twisted:

This sounds interesting, do I need administrative access to do this?

[Jiraya]

Here's the problem:

I am learning in a middle school and we have computer classes. During them, we are forced to learn and use Microsoft products like Windows and Office. I hate Microsoft products. Is there anything I can do? Can anyone give me a piece of advice?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Wow! That sucks! :(

[Twitch6000]

I got a detention for not using Internet Explorer and using Maxthon (Firefox doesn't work in my school). My school is convinced that Windows is superior to anything in the world despite the fact that their servers run Ubuntu. :(

Now that is where I think some schools should really stop and take a great look into the other os before saying bullcrap like that.
Some people have some nerve.I mean hell all it toke for me to even get my teacher to question me on Linux was me showing her my laptop.She was like OMFG what is that.Then it was like learning how to Ollie all over but, this time fun.People who just give punishments for others trying Linux and such shows they are dumber then others.

Sorry I am just one who dislikes Windows lovers that hasn't even tried anything else.

[Jiraya]

This sounds interesting, do I need administrative access to do this?

I think so, because you'll change the "All Users" folder.

[Living2007]

Here's the problem:

I am learning in a middle school and we have computer classes. During them, we are forced to learn and use Microsoft products like Windows and Office. I hate Microsoft products. Is there anything I can do? Can anyone give me a piece of advice?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Their isn't much help here. they have WinXP with Office '03 and we can't do anything about that. We can ask for special programs to use, but everything else is under their control. (We even have 2 iMac's with 10.4)

My advice, buy a laptop and place your favorite Linux OS on it and use that at school!

[Colro]

I've just got a bootable distribution on my flash drive and pop it in and reboot every time I have to use a school computer. If anyone was to force me to get back on to windows I'd just do a quick rm -rf /mnt/disk1/Program\ Files/Synchron\ Eyes/ (my school's version of Impero) before doing so. I won't be monitored or controlled on a computer.

[MONODA]

at my school there isnt a single non windows computer and all of them are reaaaalllly slow it drives me crazy. I use portable apps to be able to print my odts from school.

[yssida]

My high school computer teacher is pretty open-minded. He let me boot Knoppix live CD on his personal unit. Our school runs an Ubuntu server (or so he says) on the Administration building. But we use WIndows in the classroom/lab. He also bulk orders CDs from Canonical to give out to his college students in Computer Science.

[Jiraya]

My high school computer teacher is pretty open-minded. He let me boot Knoppix live CD on his personal unit. Our school runs an Ubuntu server (or so he says) on the Administration building. But we use WIndows in the classroom/lab. He also bulk orders CDs from Canonical to give out to his college students in Computer Science.

Great! He's indeed an open-minded teacher. That's how every teacher should act, once they can't teach linux for any how.

Ubuntu (http://www.linux-archive.org/ubuntu/)

[yssida]

Great! He's indeed an open-minded teacher. That's how every teacher should act, once they can't teach linux for any how.
Yeah,I know. And I count myself one of the 'lucky' ones. I just wish more computer teachers were like that

[Calash]

When I was at school I loved to get evil sometimes. If you really want to pull the legs of your school authorities for not even considering Linux then just make a batch file(text file of .bat) and add the code:

shutdown -r -t:0

and save it in the All User Startup folder.
This is a small way by which windows will restart every bootup except in Safe Mode.
CAUTION: May reduce the admin to tears especially if he is a nutter.
:evil::twisted::evil::twisted::evil::twisted:


There is a simple key combo to bypass all startup items, including this. Any Windows admin should know it by heart...or be able to Google it in under 5 minutes.

[rickyjones]

Just wondering, my school has this evil piece of software called Impero which let's them steal documents from our USB drives, check our web history, ban our internet access and even delete stuff from our USB drives. Surely they shouldn't be allowed to delete stuff from USB drives!?

If the IT Policy of the school states that you are not allowed to use a personal thumb drive then yes, they do have the right to do anything to the thumb drive that you plug in. Learn to work within the rules and make changes in a diplomatic way.

Thanks,
Richard

[LaRoza]

There is a simple key combo to bypass all startup items, including this. Any Windows admin should know it by heart...or be able to Google it in under 5 minutes.

Yeah, hold shift when logging on (be quick)

[900donuts]

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexMono94 View Post
Just wondering, my school has this evil piece of software called Impero which let's them steal documents from our USB drives, check our web history, ban our internet access and even delete stuff from our USB drives. Surely they shouldn't be allowed to delete stuff from USB drives!?
If the IT Policy of the school states that you are not allowed to use a personal thumb drive then yes, they do have the right to do anything to the thumb drive that you plug in. Learn to work within the rules and make changes in a diplomatic way.

Thanks,
Richard

this is an easy one

first thing to try is hidden drives (watches, wrist bands, wireless doggels that look like drives while the real one is stuffed into a secret compartment in your shoe)

the second thing to try is obsolete storage medium incompatible file systems and encryption (basically a boot floppy and an external zip, jazz, or superdisk drive)

third is use some sort of internet data cloud but i don't know to much about those

[abuakel]

I used a Live CD at school once - I think it was for 5.04 or 5.10. And the principle walked past - and the head of IT. Neither said anything

All the BIOSs are blocked on all the server computers at my high school (I'd really like to find a way to get by it) .. but I found this one, lonely computer, not connected to the school server (meaning no internet) that didn't have its BIOS blocked. I told my teacher I wanted to play Pinball, so I got on and popped in my Ubuntu and did stuff on the live CD ;)

When I was at school I loved to get evil sometimes. If you really want to pull the legs of your school authorities for not even considering Linux then just make a batch file(text file of .bat) and add the code:

shutdown -r -t:0

and save it in the All User Startup folder.
This is a small way by which windows will restart every bootup except in Safe Mode.
CAUTION: May reduce the admin to tears especially if he is a nutter.
:evil::twisted::evil::twisted::evil::twisted:

I should totally try this :biggrin:

[Calash]

Yeah, hold shift when logging on (be quick)

MY SECRET!!!!!
Now everybody will be able to do it :(


It is funny, I will get Shift for windows mixed up with holding Alt when I want to pick an OS on Mac...2-3 reboots later I get it right :)

[vikasvishnu]

Here's the problem:

I am learning in a middle school and we have computer classes. During them, we are forced to learn and use Microsoft products like Windows and Office. I hate Microsoft products. Is there anything I can do? Can anyone give me a piece of advice?

Any help will be much appreciated.

You really need to be thankful to your School authorities. Just like some subjects in your syllabus (which doesn't have any use once you pass outta school), you are also forced to learn this. Its actually a good thing because you will never know when this can come to play in your life.

I was a Windows User for about 8 years. I turned to Linux because I like the freedom it offers along with many other reasons. Now, my career is based on Linux. I now work as a Linux Admin in an IT Firm. FYI, the network here got both Windows and Linux Machines. Even if there is a Windows Admin here, there are times when we are asked to get our hands dirty on Windows machines. In such situations, I really thank the days I used Windows because it helps me understand the situation and troubleshooting tips better.

So Love Linux (I do with all my life), but be open to other technologies also and make sure you don't hate Windows because its also made by human beings to be used by human beings.

:Vikas:

[linuxisfree]

There's not much you can do unfortunately :(

You could inform the school about Linux

I REALLY like your idea:). I've got a similar situation in the office i work at, we're forced to use Windows (We tried Vista first, but that was plain crap... so we're using XP - a bit more bearable). There really is nothing one can do if it's "required":(

[linuxisfree]

There's not much you can do unfortunately :(

You could inform the school about Linux

I REALLY like your idea:). I've got a similar situation in the office i work at, we're forced to use Windows (We tried Vista first, but that was plain crap... so we're using XP - a bit more bearable). There really is nothing one can do if it's "required":(... Oh, well.

EDIT: Hmmm... did i just post twice? Okay, network's acting up a bit... could the mods maybe delete my previous post? Thanks!

[doorknob60]

My old school forced us to use Windows, and they forced us to use Firefox. I didn't like it at first because I was used to IE :P After a while I liked it a lot and that introduced me to the open source world :D The school I'm at now has macs and it's fun messing around in the terminal :D They also have Firefox, VLC, and Open Office installed on them, but most people don't use them. Except for me of course :)

[dozersmasher]

explain to them why you don't like Windows. You might bring this up. egomania.nu/gates.html

[cardinals_fan]

he school I'm at now has macs and it's fun messing around in the terminal :D
All the Macs at my school have the shells set to illegal values - so no terminal for me :(

[ascott2]

I am an IT Technician at a school. First off Impero does not steal files at all. We use it and is used for monitoring websites visited and whether any resources have been accessed when they shouldn't. As for USB pen drives and the privacy issue, all students usin school's equipment must conform to the acceptable use policy set by the school. You will find that most schools will inform you that if you have any inappropriate material on your USB stick we have the right to delete it. All students sign it, if they didn't they would not be allowed onto the network.

Back on subject, most systems have been in schools for many years and have all had Windows on them, has anyone tried migrating 20 servers and 500 workstations from windows to linux, while retaining all functianlity, data and educational software. Trust me I have looked into it and this is by no ways easy or practical. If, however we were to rebuild a system from the ground up, I would love for nothing more to move to ubuntu. I use it personally and is by far a more superior OS than anything else out there at the moment.

There is also the issue of teachers, they struggle enough with windows, which they all have on their home machines, could you imagine all of them coming to you asking why they can't find internet explorer!!

Unfortunately, Windows is the most widely used operating system whether we like it or not, and that is not going to change for a long time.


PS. Could you imagine going to your boss/IT department in a corporate environment and asking them to change their entire infrastructure just so you can run linux? They would laugh at you!

As it stands Windows= work/school linux=home