softly, softly
I read in the Age today that business groups are tip-toeing carefully around the field of new software being released by Microsoft. We can expect some major changes with the release of Windows Vista and Office 2007 with new features, a new layout and pricing scheme. Even my department of education is negotiating a state wide licence deal.
Whilst Microsoft has changed both interfaces to make it easier to find things, I wonder if my students and colleagues didn't use many advanced features of these packages because they didnt know where it was located. Perhaps I am wrong and they didnt really need all those features to bash out a worksheet or assignment.
Increasingly, they are becoming aware of open-source alternatives. Some have tried using OpenOffice (we use it in the classroom and it is installed on all the college computers) and some have even tinkered with Ubuntu, a Linux distribution.
In any case, time will reveal who gets the best value for money that is invested in software that is used at home or the value of installing commercial power-tools onto every desktop. What will make our world a better place to live in?
Whilst Microsoft has changed both interfaces to make it easier to find things, I wonder if my students and colleagues didn't use many advanced features of these packages because they didnt know where it was located. Perhaps I am wrong and they didnt really need all those features to bash out a worksheet or assignment.
Increasingly, they are becoming aware of open-source alternatives. Some have tried using OpenOffice (we use it in the classroom and it is installed on all the college computers) and some have even tinkered with Ubuntu, a Linux distribution.
In any case, time will reveal who gets the best value for money that is invested in software that is used at home or the value of installing commercial power-tools onto every desktop. What will make our world a better place to live in?