Its now Official >>>*All* Russian Schools to Use Free Software

[I-75]

*All* Russian Schools to Use Free Software

http://www.computerworlduk.com/toolbox/open-source/blogs/index.cfm?entryid=1423&blogid=14

This is a update of the stories that appeared which Russia was experimenting with using open source in three regions. Well now it is official policy. Chalk this up as another win for Linux.

"The Minister also noted that by 2010 it is expected that the number of computers in schools will reach a million. According to Schegoleva, after three years of school will be able to make a choice: pay royalties to use software products, buying them at their own expense, or go to the domestic free software"

[Schendje]

Wow, that's cool! Go Russia!:guitar:

[eragon100]

Yippie!!

[Dr Small]

I wonder if this came from all the Russian attacks against Georgia awhile back. Could be that they found that Linux OSes can 'take down' the enemies websites, so everyone should be running a copy of it... including the schools :D

[smoker]

I wonder if this came from all the Russian attacks against Georgia awhile back. Could be that they found that Linux OSes can 'take down' the enemies websites, so everyone should be running a copy of it... including the schools :D

i think it probably has something to do with ms getting heavy with a school teacher, directly or indirectly!
http://techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20070205/&sid=20070205/122618&threaded=true

[fillintheblanks]

yes, go socialism :roll:

[zmjjmz]

yes, go socialism :roll:

How exactly is this socialism?
The government is telling its public schools what to do. That happens all the time.

[Polygon]

yes, go socialism :roll:

the same exact thing happens in the US as well.

[azangru]

I looked at the statement (in Russian), and must point out that there was no mentioning of Linux specifically. It's not very clear what free software pack the minister was talking about, but it seems to refer to OpenOffice.org on Windows machines rather than to pure Linux. I'd really love to see Russian kids study Linux, but I don't think that's going to happen in the nearest future. Russian schools are hooked on Microsoft products :(

[Paqman]

It's not very clear what free software pack the minister was talking about(

That's what I thought, too.

[Ub1476]

Russia has been developing the "Russian OS" for a couple years now. It's Linux. They just finished the testing, and since it's positive all schools will change to that OS now. If some schools wish to use Microsoft products, they will have to pay for it themselves.

[mikewhatever]

I looked at the statement (in Russian), and must point out that there was no mentioning of Linux specifically. It's not very clear what free software pack the minister was talking about, but it seems to refer to OpenOffice.org on Windows machines rather than to pure Linux. I'd really love to see Russian kids study Linux, but I don't think that's going to happen in the nearest future. Russian schools are hooked on Microsoft products :(

Check out this page (in Russian) http://linux.armd.ru/ru/about/.
After a bit of reading, it seems that what they do is based on Alt Linux.

[azangru]

Russia has been developing the "Russian OS" for a couple years now. It's Linux. They just finished the testing, and since it's positive all schools will change to that OS now.

I wish it were so, but all the talks about the Linux-based Russian OS have so far remained just talks and wishful thinking. The only Russian Linux I know of is ALT Linux (http://www.linux.com/feature/119106) - it's been around for some time and definitely is not the "Russian OS". So I really doubt that the minister's statement meant that the Russian schools will suddenly go Linux. :(

Though even if they switch to OpenOffice, it will already be a big step forward.

[azangru]

Check out this page (in Russian) http://linux.armd.ru/ru/about/.
After a bit of reading, it seems that what they do is based on Alt Linux.

Sorry, haven't seen your message while I was writing mine. Thanks for the link, I'll look into it!

[azangru]

Wow! Turns out it just might be Linux after all. Great news! Sorry for being so skeptical.

[mikewhatever]

Wow! Turns out it just might be Linux after all. Great news! Sorry for being so skeptical.

Actually, being skeptical is the only way to go.:)