Rob,
Since you are on a limited budget, have you considered trying an
open-source solution? I recently started researching some open-source
cad and diagramming software. I am not ready to make any kinds of
recommendations as I haven't had a chance to try much of it out but
there is lots of stuff out there which is free and good quality. If you
are running Mac OS X, it is conceiveable that the open-source software
can run on that but there will be hoops to jump through. If you don't
have OS X, you could set up your macs as dual boots and install a PPC
version of Linux (The four most prominent distributions right now are
YellowDog, Mandrake, Debian, and Suse). In most cases you can download
the iso images burn them and install the os. Good Luck
Dave

David Tisdell. Computer Coordinator
Mt. Mansfield Union High School
211 Browns Trace
Jericho, VT 05661
802-899-4690 (Voice)
802-899-2904 (Fax)
[log in to unmask] (e-mail)

>>> [log in to unmask] 05/23/02 01:13PM >>>
Due to an impending space crunch as we begin a building project, and
to
the fact that we need to move our Technology Education program from
the
20th to the 21st century I am being asked to help a teacher quickly
transition from an industrial woodworking mode to a computer
technology
curriculum.  Specifically ideas that have been tossed about are intro
CAD,
robotics, and computer electronics; attempting to mix computer design
with
hands-on (small) construction.  I urgently need to purchase (this
years
spending!) some materials, kits, workstations to accomplish this
transition.  Help!
The level is 7-12th grade students and the budget is not
exhorborant(5K)!
Are there any resources anyone could suggest for me?  Is there
anything
that might take advantage of the Macs we already have in place?  Any
info
would be greatly appreciated!

Rob Gervais
Technology Coordinator
Enosburg Graded School District
Enosburg, VT 05450