Rick asked me to chime in, but I think it pretty much has been said at this point..

Free software is great for schools, but this group especially knows that free is not always "completely free".  It takes time, and someone needs to get up to speed on how it works, how it fails, etc. etc. I think Vermont is well-rounded as far as expertise and there is ample support on this list regularly when it comes to configuring decent solutions for schools, free or not. There is also a good resource base here in the state for advice and knowledge on open source solutions too. 

From the state perspective, it is important that software be used in compliance with the intended licensing agreements, and that federal funds aren't used to purchase software that is then pirated or otherwise "abused" to serve home computers, etc.  The state can't condone "breaking the rules" when it comes to software licensing.  All schools are expected to comply with rules that are in the agreements.

Peter   




Peter Drescher
Education Technology Coordinator
Vermont Department of Education
120 State St.
Montpelier, VT  05620-2501
802.828.5149 (ph)
802.828.6563 (fax)
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: School Information Technology Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Hall
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:48 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Free Antivirus ...

Of ALL people, I believe it is our responsibility as technology leaders to model appropriate use of licensed software, including the use of home-use shareware on our networks. I have spent years working with staff members who feel as if "it's for education, so it ought to be free," and asking me to buy software for their home computers. Ditto for software (Inspiration) that we do not own for all computers: "why can't you just put it on all of my computers?" or "Isn't it all site-licensed?"

For this and other reasons we continue to seek open-source alternatives so that it really IS free for everyone!

OH - we do continue to buy in to Symantec EPP, which (despite the load) has worked well for us. After the initial purchase, the renewal cost is reasonable.

Eric





on 11/30/09 8:02 AM, Dave Tisdell wrote:

> Hi Bryan,
>  
> I was responding to this quote from Rick's post " This is education 
> and dare I say, especially now, cutting corners might be defensible.
> I would suggest that Peter might want to comment on the State's 
> attitude regarding "free" vs paid for software use in education. How 
> does VT stand on "breaking the rules" software wise? Someone has to 
> set the standard/lay down the rules. A "position paper" on software 
> use/licences would be valuable to the troops who might have to 
> confront administration with potential "true costs" in terms of tech 
> infrastructure."
>  
> Dave
>  
> 
> This e-mail may contain information protected under the Family 
> Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If this e-mail contains 
> student information and you are not entitled to access such 
> information under FERPA, please notify the sender. Federal regulations 
> require that you destroy this e-mail without reviewing it and you may not forward it to anyone.
> 
>>>> Bryan Thompson <[log in to unmask]> 11/29/2009 6:16 PM 
>>>> >>>
> This is education and
> dare I say, especially now, cutting corners might be defensible.
> I would suggest that Peter might want to comment on the State's 
> attitude regarding "free" vs paid for software use in education. How 
> does VT stand on "breaking the rules" software wise? Someone has to 
> set the standard/lay down the rules. A "position paper" on software 
> use/licences would be valuable to the troops who might have to 
> confront administration with potential "true costs" in terms of tech 
> infrastructure.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the message.