Off-topic: Respond Privately Please

[Derek Balling]

An organization I am involved in is going to be doing some community 
service, getting a number of community centers wired to the net via DSL, 
giving them computers, etc.

The question has arisen as to whether to use an Open Source OS (in this 
case, probably Linux) or to use Microsoft Windows.

The pros for Windows, as demonstrated from our discussions:

o	Designed for less computer-savvy users, which the target audience will be
o	Generally speaking most Windows maintenance can be summed up as rebooting 
the machine [the Windows cure-all for problems]. Also most community center 
administrators themselves use Windows, and so at least THEY are familiar 
with the environment to handle questions from users.
o	Complete applications packages (MS Office, etc.) which people can learn 
and have immediate practical application towards potential employment. 
(e.g., If I know very little but I learn MS Word, I can possibly get a job 
as a typist or something immediately, getting me in a better position to 
learn other things and get off the streets, etc. The learning curve before 
possessing "job-practical" skills from an Open Source OS is longer.

The cons:

o	Non-Free, both in terms of beer and speech
o	Piracy issues - People stealing copies of software off the machines, etc.
o	Viruses
o	Security - (alleviated partly if NT is used, but not entirely)


The pros and cons for the open source solution can best be described by 
negating the cons and pros for windows. :)

I understand that we are in a unique position, where people come to the 
computer arena with no preconceived notions and we could just force-feed 
them Linux (or FreeBSD, or whatever) and they would "learn the proper way" 
and wouldn't be really all that reticent because they're not "stuck in 
Bill's world", but I'm not sure that for these people, in this situation, 
that is serving them best. I think perhaps they MIGHT be able to get more 
immediate practical use out of Windows machines.

We could do both, but that just seems really pointless, just subjecting 
ourselves to the problems of both worlds unnecessarily.

Anyone with some experience in this matter (regardless of which decision 
you made), please contact me, I'd like to get your thoughts on what you 
chose, how it has worked for you, etc.

Thanks,

D