A very cool concept

[hitchface]

Just found out about this School of the Future (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9055179&pageNumber=1).

There is talk towards the end about too much technology being a detriment to "old-school" learning. I'd mostly have to disagree. They cite things like spell check being a problem, which I can agree with, but when it comes down to getting sources for a paper or project, not so much. A diligent student will ensure he/she has a good source, while a lazy one won't.

I also really appreciate the environmental concerns developed into the building. This is the kind of stuff that we need to see more of.

The only really bad thing I see here is that everyone uses Gateway laptops!

[David M]

2 out of 3 isn't bad. :) Some clueless school administrator probably picked the latter.

[hitchface]

Either that or M$ and Gateway made a deal.

[HAL9000]

It's a school, it went to the lowest bidder. Schools here always expect the highest end premium equipment at the crap equipment prices.

[hitchface]

...which we all know rarely works out that way ;)

[HAL9000]

What?? Opti sound cards, PcChips motherboards, Daytek monitors aren't premium components?

[hitchface]

Well, now that you mention Daytek...

[Force Flow]

It's a school, it went to the lowest bidder. Schools here always expect the highest end premium equipment at the crap equipment prices.

From what I've seen in school districts, computer hardware was always ordered outright (albeit in bulk and sometimes with educational discounts). Support services, wiring jobs, and the like were sent out for bids.

So...whatever hardware that was ordered was usually ordered at either the suggestion of the tech dept or at the whim of the school administrators.

[HAL9000]

Around here, systems were bid on by various vendors/stores/etc.... it got to the point though that it wasn't worth bidding on them.. .sure, they want 500 machines... but to be lowest bidder, profit is at 2-3% and they want them serviced as well.