OSSDI to Distribute OpenOffice.org in Schools

Xampper writes to tell us that the OSSDI (Open Source Software Distribution Initiative) is a new organization that has cropped up to help not only spread the word about Open Source Software, but to help distribute the OpenOffice.org office suite starting with less fortunate school districts. The OSSDI describes their current status as still being in its "infancy as an organization. Because of this, all of our current resources are focused on gaining supporters, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. Plans are under-way for our first software distribution, but we must first cover our operating costs. We are also interested in becoming a registered not for profit corporation so that donors will receive tax breaks for their gifts, but the registration process can also be very costly and time-consuming."

OLPC Software

[caitriona81]

I wonder if the same can be done for distributing OLPC's software platform easily. If a large part of the cost of computers in schools is the software and the continual upgrades that come with it, wonder what can be done for schools that already have computers, just not the latest and greatest...

Will this be OpenOffice for Windows?

[popo]

Because there's something very strange about providing a free office suite that runs on an expensive OS.

Why not distribute a Linux distro bundled with OOo?

Otherwise the overall mission seems compromised by the platform.

Re:Distribution on CD?

[popo]

So the goal of the non-profit is *not* to provide access to a cost-saving alternative, but to overcome the inherent laziness and stupidity of American educators and school systems. Ok. I just wanted to make sure I had that straight.

Re:Training costs, or, "why change is always bad."

[Machtyn]

unless you can figure out a way to paint it so that it's to their personal advantage.
The biggest personal advantage one can give a novice:
"You don't have to spend $250.00 on MS Office 200x of your own money to use the formats that we will use at the school. Here, take this disk, or here let me put this install file on your USB drive... double click on that and off you go."

(Sure, they get the educational edition... it's only $120.00 at Amazon. Many teachers have to work an entire day to take home that much pay. An average of $50k/yr [salary.com] /(12*4*40) hourly wage * .80 take home after taxes = ~$21.00 of take home pay/hour.)