Microsoft aims thin clients at the classroom With today's talk of application and desktop virtualization, it's easy to forget there's another, older way to deliver software in a controlled way to resource-constrained PCs: thin-clients. You remember thin client computing: Citirx, Microsoft's Citrix-backed Windows Terminal Services, Sun Microsystems' Sun Ray, and …
If they are targeting the classroom where there is a maximum class size of 10 pupils then they are living on another planet. They should try "restricted to 50 computers" and it might be suitable for one per classroom with a bit of slack.
What is the restriction on LTSP? Oh yes, it is only restricted by the capability of the hardware.
LTSP has been around for years and has just as long a track record in classroom thin clients. No limit on connections (apart from your hardware); volumes of documentation and real life examples. It's free as well - no licensing costs - still have to have sysadmins though(as will the MS Terminal Services) but many teachers seem to be able to install & manage it.
Even I run it at home (excellant indestuctible internet access for my 'youf' who insists on running XP Home c/w malware and virii) as part of my 'distributed desktop/diskless client' round the house (yes, it's in the basement with the file/media server)
"Mouse Mischief is a tool that Microsoft makes available free of charge, and that allows teachers to work with Microsoft Office PowerPoint to make interactive presentations."
See the drug dealer is at it again. The first hit is always free. Once they eliminate Blackboard and any open source offerings they will shove the price up. Of course Blackboard and the open source offerings are more powerful but they don't have the educational system by the balls, so this Microsoft crap is bound to get a foothold - much like foot & mouth did.
Why do I always think of Microsoft in the same way I think of vermin? Maybe its because it doesn't matter what happens, Microsoft appear scurrying along like rats trying to get a piece of the pie and take over.
This might be kinda useful, if they were to lift the 10 client limit.
LSTP is good if you have a knowledgeable sysadmin to take care of it (and be a Linux cheerleader, train staff, not be put off by people decrying it, etc). Knowledgeable sysadmins are hard to come by - especially around LEAs with entrenched MS-itis ... there are schools who still buy PCs from RM *shudder*
As for Mighty Mouse, all the teachers I work with are more than happy with Smartboard's Notebook software and don't want to learn another new program. For many, changing the order of icons on the desktop is confusing ...
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