RE: [Visualpython-users] High School Network Security

[Ives, T. W. <tho...@hp...>]

Francesco,

I've been quiet on this list for a while enjoying reading the
advancements of Vpython over time and continuing to enjoy its power and
simplicity, but I have enjoyed and appreciated it most of all when
teaching and so have my students.

I occasionally teach an upper level undergraduate engineering course at
the local university here in Boise - Control Systems Design. It is a
tough course, which is further complicated by the high priced software
we use (Matlab and Simulink). Due to being an adjunct, I was late
getting a license to use it - no problem. I introduced the students to
SciLab (http://scilabsoft.inria.fr/) - free scientific software. They
were thrilled. But then, we got to things that were just a little more
complicated - how about a non-linear transfer function? Ouch! Even
Matlab struggles with that. I introduced them to Python - WOW! And
nothing was hidden from them or spoon fed to them. They could see how to
easily program it for themselves without compiling and without the
hyper-complication of compiled languages.

Then, we got into our inverted pendulum project. "Wouldn't you guys like
to see how this looks in action?" I ask. "Are you going to have us build
it Dr. Ives?" they ask. "No, let's just animate it" I reply, and their
eyes look like the eyes of dears in headlights :)  "No, really, it is
easy with Vpython." Suffice it to say, they have crossed over. They took
what I showed them and took it much further. And, those transfer
functions? They plotted the Bode plots with Vpython also. We still ended
up using Matlab, but when Matlab couldn't handle something easily, we
just slid comfortably over to Python and Vpython.=20

I hope this story helps. The university IT guys gladly loaded Python and
Vpython on their systems for me, and the students could download it to
their personal PC's easily and freely. There is a lot of policy being
invented that stands in the way of wisdom nowadays. Today, the student
that comes into my modeling and controls classes knowing Python/Vpython
is a step ahead. I suspect in the near future that the one coming into
my class not knowing the seemingly most popular object oriented
scripting language and its powerful modules is going to be behind! Also,
the day that my IT guys tell me they cannot make available a software
package I deem useful to my students is the day I ask the school to get
some new IT guys, or I find a new school.

Hope that helps,
thom

  _____ =20

Thom Ives, Ph.D.
Hewlett-Packard

R&D Engineering Scientist=09
11413 Chinden Blvd MS 303
Boise, ID.  83714
208.396.6880 Phone
208.396.7560 Fax
tho...@hp...=20

Home:
5556 N Columbine Pl
Boise, ID 83713
208.938.3365 Phone
208.412.3971 Cell
407.210.5514 Fax
tw...@ms...
  _____ =20

=20


> -----Original Message-----
> From: vis...@li...=20
> [mailto:vis...@li...] On=20
> Behalf Of FRANCESCO NOSCHESE
> Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 7:11 PM
> To: vis...@li...
> Subject: [Visualpython-users] High School Network Security
>=20
> Hello everyone,
>=20
> I am a high school physics teacher who is planning post-AP=20
> exam student projects using VPython.  However, my school=20
> refuses to allow Python and VPython to be installed on the=20
> school's network because it is open source.
>=20
> Here's the reply from the technology coodinator at my school:
>=20
> "Our technology team discussed your request to install=20
> VPython on the network/lab at our May 4th meeting and all=20
> agreed that it is not good practice to install open source=20
> software on the school computer systems. =20
> We have conferred with LHRIC and a random sampling of other=20
> districts and all agree it is not in the district's best=20
> interest to do so, even thought there is no doubt your=20
> intended goal is worthy."
>=20
> [LHRIC is a technology-oriented consortium of local school=20
> districts <http://www.lhric.org>]
>=20
> Is this really a problem?  What are the risks?  Is there any=20
> way to prevent student misuse of Python?  How can I make a=20
> case to allow Python in school?
>=20
> FYI, we have a Novell Zenworks network for XP and Win98=20
> machines.  We also have Citrix in XP.
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> Many thanks in advance for all your help.
>=20
> Frank Noschese
> Physics Teacher
> John Jay High School
> Cross River, NY
>=20
> fno...@kl...
> *****************************
> Frank Noschese
> Physics Teacher
>=20
> John Jay High School
> Cross River, NY
>=20
> fno...@kl...
> voicemail: (914) 763-7384
> *****************************
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
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>=20