Thanks all.

Post #291,765 by mmoffitt 8/28/07 10:47:32 AM Reply	Thanks all. VMware I could use, but don't want to. The real reason that I was initially trying to avoid OpenOffice (or AbiWord - which I think is easier to use and has a much cleaner UI) is that I didn't want her to have to learn two word processors (she'd be using MS Word at school, then home to saner software). Upon further reflection, however, I've decided to do this instead. I'm going to show her how to use AbiWord and OpenOffice and let her decide which one she wants to use. I'm writing the School Superintendent, the principal and everyone involved in K-12 education at the state level I can find and request that they allow their students to use OpenOffice. I'll also make the pointed remark that "it is the height of mismanagement of funding to be one of only two states that charge public elementary, middle and high school students book rental fees (sometimes for non-existent books) on the one hand, and give hundreds of thousands of dollars to Microsoft on the other." bcnu, Mikem Microsoft Vista. The best reason ever to buy a Mac.
Post #291,775 by crazy 8/28/07 1:12:55 PM Reply	Seems a bit counterproductive #1 - You are setting your daughter up for a fall. Are you willing to risk her getting bad grades for your cause? Simply using a non-approved program will probably do that. #2 - The people who made the decision to use MS aren't real bright, but they ARE in trusted positions. You aren't. So your letter campaign will be tossed aside (best case), or used against your kid (worst case). Do what I did when I thought the school board was doing something stupid in tech. Show up an a board of education public meeting. Make friends. Speak publicly, stroking their egos, while at the same time establishing your tech cred. Make a connection with a board member. Thought the member, push your agenda. I found a board member that wasn't technical and was getting snowed by the IT crew. She latched onto me as her tech resource, and then we worked together. Unless you are willing to invest the face time, the attendance time, and show that you are willing to hang out REALLY late into the evening when they vote on budget issues and don't want the public there, then you can be ignored.
Post #291,777 by boxley 8/28/07 1:17:46 PM Reply	ayup, bigtime Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari? Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep reach me at [link\|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net\|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
Post #291,806 by mmoffitt 8/28/07 4:56:45 PM Reply	Thanks for the advice. Not. First of all, I don't have two centuries to get all touchy feely with the idiots on the school board. Second, the worst thing that could happen to my daughter is that she'll have to learn two word processors. "risk bad grades". Feh. My daughter is a straight A student who consistently scores highest in her school on the state exams. Finally, don't ever, and I mean ever, even hint that I would put either of my daughters in harms way, fuckwit. bcnu, Mikem Microsoft Vista. The best reason ever to buy a Mac.
Post #291,816 by crazy 8/28/07 5:48:54 PM Reply	Kiss kiss to you too. Sigh.

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