Linux in russian schools

I just read a news article that told me Russia is planning to use Linux in all its schools from 2009. Absolutly brilliant or a risky move?

My answer: Absolutly brilliant. Using Linux teaches people how to us Computers, not how to use a specific piece of software, therefore in educatuion Linux should definently be used.

<rant speculation=’true’>In coming generations if everyone knows how to use computers, what wonders could be achieved? If we can send man to the moon with the aid of a computer less powerful then a pocket calculator… You see the potential for human development? </rant>

Negatives? May take a little while for teachers to get up-to-speed using the software with enough precifienty to teach… but the long term benefits of this small spurt of effort far outway the costs.

Talking about costs… I would rather the publics’ tax dollers/pounds contribute to better teaching and opportunities for children and students rather then paying licencing fees to multi-billion pound coorporations who get enough money milking businesses anyway!

Thank you Russia for taking this risky bold move, hopefully people will follow once the success has been quantified in years to come.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7034828.stm for further details.

msn messenger observation

I was talking to a friend online using msn a moment ago, he signed out of msn and I had not noticed this and kept on talking away (i was watching a youTube vid @ the time)…

just an observation… but wouldnt it be easy to grey the speaking area (lower pane) or send a message to the sent messages panel that ‘John has signed out’ to alert users instead of the small message on the top of the panel which you wouldnt easily notice if you were ‘appear offline’ as it wouldnt pop up as it would just change text…

just a thought