05.04.09
NSW (Australia) Didn’t Choose Free Software Because It Doesn’t Run Non-Free Software???
Summary: Lame excuse for rejection of GNU/Linux for schools (it does not run Photoshop)
SOME WEEKS ago we sought answers for the NSW blunder down under. Why did they reject GNU/Linux after years of praising the platform? Well, the following new article provides one possible explanation from those in charge:
Another major issue was Linux’s ability to run Adobe software, which NSW secondary students will have access to thanks to a $20 million deal as part of the computers program.
“Adobe doesn’t run well on Linux,” Mr Wilson said.
Wine compatibility aside, that’s like saying teachers will not prevent children from purchasing tobacco because this may prevent them from realising the thrills of alcohol. The solution is to cut both products until those affected grow up and can make their own informed decisions rather than have things imposed on them. It is unethical to force students to become customers of whoever the authorities collude with. Adobe’s addiction/extortion racket makes it even more tasteless.
So what else can be said?
NSW chose an operating system from 2001, despite the many known deficiencies, some of which are critical.
For those who believe that Vista 7 will be all fine and dandy, here are a couple of brand-new essays which are worth reading:
i. Windows 7 on an entry level netbook: first look
I loaded PassMark’s PerformanceTest 7.0 benchmarking software which evaluated the Acer Aspire One, under Windows 7.0, at 204.2. As with the Windows rating, the hard drive was the star performer and the video card was the weak spot, rendering complex 3D graphics at an uninspiring 2.3 frames per second.
We’ve had the issue of the “starter” 3 app version of Windows 7. We’ve had allegations of Win 7 being a spruced up Vista (or lipstick on a pig) We’ve had the EU getting involved in the distribution of IE within the Windows platform, but more than that, we’ve had many users/Enterprise not wanting to move from XP. (We dont need to mention Vista again here that, IMO is best forgotten)
Vista was all lipstick, so its successor, Vista 7, may as well be a swine on a lipstick. █
Morbidly obese swine on a lipstick needs to go on a diet
“My initial evaluation of Windows 7 shows that it’s really just Vista with a fresh coat of paint.”
–Randall Kennedy
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James Tocknell said,
May 6, 2009 at 7:34 am
The irony, rejecting linux to run a program which won’t be able to be used with the hardware.
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Sometimes you need to make up reasons to match and justify the convictions (e.g. prejudice against GNU/Linux).
Penguin Pete said,
May 6, 2009 at 8:28 pm
It’s amazing how much Adobe support is used to beat up Linux. You never seem to meet this many people in the average day who are professional print shop graphics designers. Yet bring up GNU/Linux, and all of a sudden everybody’s a graphics artist and typesetter for a leading magazine, who requires CMYK support on a daily basis.
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
IIRC, the GIMP has got that one too by now.