Re: [Visualpython-users] High School Network Security

[Bruce S. <Bru...@nc...>]

The comment that they might confuse "open source" with "freeware" seems 
a highly likely explanation. In principle, open source software could be 
MORE secure than commercial software, because it is inspectable.

On the other hand, it is all too common for IT people to get in the way 
of education. It is easier for them to say "no" to everything than to 
support valid educational innovation. Sometimes this is due to valid 
concerns about security, but often it is just a knee-jerk reaction to 
anything new.

Last year I heard a very interesting talk by Paul Dubois, who led the 
development of the Numeric module for Python, in which he argued that 
all computational science (e.g. computational physics) should be carried 
out using open source software because it is inspectable. Only in that 
environment can other scientists fully critique algorithms, look for 
flaws, etc.

Bruce Sherwood

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."
> 
> [LHRIC is a technology-oriented consortium of local school districts 
> <http://www.lhric.org>]
> 
> Is this really a problem?  What are the risks?  Is there any way to 
> prevent student misuse of Python?  How can I make a case to allow Python 
> in school?
> 
> FYI, we have a Novell Zenworks network for XP and Win98 machines.  We also 
> have Citrix in XP.
> 
> Many thanks in advance for all your help.
> 
> Frank Noschese
> Physics Teacher
> John Jay High School
> Cross River, NY
> 
> fno...@kl...
> *****************************
> Frank Noschese
> Physics Teacher
> 
> John Jay High School
> Cross River, NY
> 
> fno...@kl...
> voicemail: (914) 763-7384
> *****************************
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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