Re: [Visualpython-users] High School Network Security

[Jacob S. <ke...@ja...>]

> FRANCESCO NOSCHESE wrote:
>
>>Hello everyone,
>>
>>I am a high school physics teacher who is planning post-AP exam student 
>>projects using VPython.  However, my school refuses to allow Python and 
>>VPython to be installed on the school's network because it is open source.
>>
>>Here's the reply from the technology coodinator at my school:
>>
>>"Our technology team discussed your request to install VPython on the 
>>network/lab at our May 4th meeting and all agreed that it is not good 
>>practice to install open source software on the school computer systems. 
>>We have conferred with LHRIC and a random sampling of other districts and 
>>all agree it is not in the district's best interest to do so, even thought 
>>there is no doubt your intended goal is worthy."
>>
> I wonder if there is a commuincation gap.  You said "open source". 
> Perhaps what they *heard* was "freeware".
>
> Or an understanding gap:  open source = freeware.
>
> If so, one would hope that a delicately worded education would solve the 
> problem.  But we've all run into IT people who enjoy a rather feudal 
> approach to management.  Keep us posted with details.  Perhaps we can help 
> make your argument.
>

Yeah, it would be just like schools to refuse anything free if they can 
spend their tax dollar budget on expense programs that don't work half as 
well as the free things.

OT  rant

My school just recently signed up for a thing on the internet called 
teenbiz3000.  It's supposed to be an internet thing that is perfectly 
controlled by the teachers and can be tracked completely.  All it is is just 
an online email program and some games, all geared towards making us better 
readers.  In high school!!   This was supposed to be taken care of in first 
and second grade.  I also learned from the teacher that the school paid 
through the nose to get access to this thing.  I have seen it first hand and 
I don't like it.  I don't believe it works.  What are they paying the first 
and second grade teachers for if not to teach kids to read?  What happened? 
When did they start throwing money needlessly and foolishly around?

end rant

Jacob