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List:       suse-linux-uk-schools
Subject:    Re: [opensuse-edu] what does LTSP\thin client technology mean to you?
From:       Phil Thane <phil () brynvilla ! llangollen ! co ! uk>
Date:       2007-07-19 15:24:53
Message-ID: 200707191624.53467.phil () brynvilla ! llangollen ! co ! uk
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On Thursday 19 July 2007 14:16:58 Andy Trevor wrote:
> The core of LTSP technology is sound and a no brainer.  The killer here
> in the UK is the lack of "quality" educational apps.

I'm pushing Linux and FLOSSIE in Wales (with zero success so far). As an 
ex-Design & Tech teacher a real sticking point is CAD. There's plenty of high 
end pro CAD out there at a high end price, but I think the UK is pretty 
unique in doing D&T the way we do so demand for a child proof CAD package is 
limited.

Two bits of good news;

1. TechSoft's 2D Design works OK under WINE. I used to be support manager at 
TechSoft and tested it years ago. Two minor snags, toolboxes take on GIMP 
like qualities and don't stay with the main window when you minimise. Filled 
arrow heads on dimensions produce a screen draw error, but filled arrows look 
ugly anyway so choose open and it works OK.

2. VariCAD is a simple 2D/3D CAD package that works well on basic PCs under 
most forms of Linux. Imports and exports all the usual CAD formats. Only snag 
is it's not free. The student version is £50, I'd like to see some schools or 
education authorities get together and persuade VariCAD to do school site 
licences a lot cheaper.

My personal preference would be to get the Welsh Assembly to sponsor an Open 
Source educational CAD package, taking some of the good stuff that's already 
out there and developing a kid proof version. 

At the moment it's more likely they'll do a deal with PTC to buy ProEngineer 
for Windows. That really p****s me off because, freedom issues aside for a 
moment, it's way too complex for most kids (and teachers) and just helps 
entrench Windows as the de facto OS for schools for another (school) 
generation just as PTC's ProDesktop did in the late 90s.
-- 
Regards
Phil Thane

Bryn Villa
Penycoed Road
Llangollen
LL20 8LR

01978 861677
07971 087623

phil@brynvilla.llangollen.co.uk
www.brynvilla.llangollen.co.uk
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