| OpenOffice.org turns three, launches major initiative to foster adoption in schools |
Oct. 13, 2003
OpenOffice.org is marking its 3rd Anniversary with a major initiative to bring the OpenOffice.org 1.1 office suite to students, schools and universities throughout the world. Leading the "OOoEDU" initiative is Ian Lynch, an esteemed OOo contibutor based in the UK with a life-long commitment to education and technology.
According to Lynch, "Many governments are concerned about the technological divide and the inequality caused by the cost of technology. At OpenOffice.org we believe in inclusion and we are determined to help as many students as possible gain access to the best technology at the
lowest price. Eliminating software licensing costs is our way of making a contribution."
The objective of the program is to get as many students as possible using OpenOffice.org in their homes and in school. Volunteers are propelling OpenOffice.org into their schools by distributing CDs. DesktopLinux.com has recently become aware of several US-based programs in universities and grade schools we will share with you in the coming weeks.
Lynch points to a similar programs underway in the UK to bring OpenOffice.org into educational programs. He points to one school that is sponsored by Rolls Royce to help facilitate OpenOffice.org 1.1 adoption. "Skipton Girls High School, a Specialist Engineering School for Girls. . . are using this as an opportunity for global citizenship by getting students to burn OpenOffice.org 1.1 CDs for
schools in areas of the world with no broadbansd access. This is good education, not just good economics. It has the potential to get pupils in contact across the world and generate greater international understanding."
To learn how you can contribute to OOoEDU and help distribute OOo to students, visit this this link.
If OpenOffice.org 1.1 is not presently available in your language, you and your school can get involved by assisting in the localization (translation) of the software. For more information on localization of
the OpenOffice.org suite, go here.
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