The final numbers are in. During Installfest at this week’s LinuxWorld Expo, Untangle and its partners put Ubuntu Linux on 750 aging PCs that now run like new. The Installfest was a win for school budgets, kids and the environment. And the event proved — in a small way — that Linux can be a key tool that helps close the digital divide.
Let’s take a quick look at how the Installfest, driven by Untangle, benefited multiple parties.
- Schools — $375,000 In Savings: If a school wanted to buy 750 new PCs with Windows Vista pre-installed, they’d likely have to spend at least $500 for each new system. That’s $375,000 for 750 new PCs. But even then, performance would be awful (have you seen Vista on entry-level PCs?) and productivity applications like Microsoft Office would require additional budget.
- Kids: Ever seen a kid work on a PC for the first time? My sons “lit up” when they got an Eee PC to share. Similarly, kids in low-income areas need to see and learn how the Web is a platform for creativity, collaboration and learning. With the proper supervision and guidance, the Web can be a kid’s ticket to greater earning power.
- The Environment: Roughly 35 million PCs get dumped into landfills, though I’m not sure if that figure reflects an annual trend or a longer-term tally. Regardless, it’s a huge number that needs correcting.
I’m not suggesting Linux is a perfect alternative to Windows. But it’s hard to find a slim version of Windows backed by an army of Installfest supporters. It’s good to see Untangle and Linux giving old PCs new life, and giving kids the tech tools they need.
Posted In: Microsoft | Open Source
Tags: Canonical | Digital Divide | LinuxWorld Installfest | Ubuntu Linux | Untangle
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Tags: Canonical | Digital Divide | LinuxWorld Installfest | Ubuntu Linux | Untangle
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Its nice to see that there are alternatives to upgrading ones computer to Windows Vista. You can upgrade to Linux instead and not have to buy a new computer.
Jonabyte: Thanks for your thoughts. The VAR Guy tries not to get too down on Microsoft. Remember: They freed us from expensive RISC/Unix systems. But now, it’s great to see true customer choice across all computing devices — and perhaps Linux can truly assist the digital inclusion effort.
Microsoft does give, or sell very cheaply, the Starter edition of their OS, to educational institutions in “developing” countries, but it is a self-serving tactic prompted by the appearance of real competition from linux distros.
The Starter edition is classical crippleware, just useful enough to hook new users to the MS brand, and tempt them to acquire the real thing. It only recognises 256 Mb of RAM, no matter how much the machine has, and can only open 3 windows at a time.
Michael: The VAR Guy didn’t realize the Starter edition was soo darn limited. Thanks for noting the key barriers it includes.
Windows is fine for what it is, but there are so many more alternatives and ways to get computers into students’ hands. Just as there are a handful of drivers who actually need an SUV, there are some instances where going the Microsoft route may make sense. But it doesn’t make sense to assume that every school computer needs to be the latest whiz-bang Vista box, just as it doesn’t make sense to use an SUV to drive down the street to the mall. Installfest and other programs like it just makes sense.
Hmmm. Comparing Microsoft (Windows) to an SUV is rather interesting, Jerry. Both are heavy and require lots of horsepower for a decent user experience.
Hi How can I help? I have a connection to “old” hardware that I have tried to save from the landfills. Is there a way I can be officially apart of this movement/organization to show places that are pitching old hardware that I have a legit purpose in mind here? Thanks in advance for your time
Dean-O