The (Other) End of the Internet

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

I almost fell out of my chair when StumbleUpon’s toolbar served up this page for me.

The Helios project, as I understand it based on 5 minutes worth of research, is a project to provide free computers to kids who would otherwise not be able to have them. In order to provide these computers at no cost, they are equipped with Linux because Open Source Free software beats paying $100 or more for each copy of Windows.

This is an excerpt of an email that a teacher sent to the project’s man-in-charge, Ken Starks:

Upon looking at his computer, I saw he was giving a demonstration of some sort. The student was showing the ability of the laptop and handing out Linux disks. After confiscating the disks I called a confrence with the student and that is how I came to discover you and your organization. Mr. Starks, I am sure you strongly believe in what you are doing but I cannot either support your efforts or allow them to happen in my classroom. At this point, I am not sure what you are doing is legal. No software is free and spreading that misconception is harmful. These children look up to adults for guidance and discipline. I will research this as time allows and I want to assure you, if you are doing anything illegal, I will pursue charges as the law allows.

Wow. This woman is in charge of educating our children and she honestly believes that it’s against the law to offer something for free. That’s frightening.

You REALLY need to visit the Blog of helios website and read Mr. Starks’s reply.

Technorati Tags: computers, operating+systems, linux, windows, helios, freeware, open+source

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!