[Offtopic] School laptop policy (was: Dual booting Macs)

[Glen Turner]

<rant>

Jim Maunder wrote:
> ... and in spite of a school policy to the contrary some
 > recalcitrant students use MacBooks.

Why does it matter which operating system a student chooses?

I can't think of a single laptop operating system that can't use a
web browser, can't print using IPP or SMB, can can't access
files using WebDAV or SMB and can't edit documents, spreadsheets
and slides in the DOC, XLS, PPT formats.

With respect, it seems to me that a school policy would be
better off specifying these common and widely-used protocols
rather than requiring a particular operating system, office
suite, etc.

If these protocols are not supported at present, then I'd be
reconsidering the school infrastructure rather than the clients.
I'll admit to being deeply worried that any third-party client
software is needed to use a school network. Individualised
fiddling with client PCs seems to me to be a huge IT support
cost that is better replaced by good instructions for the
configuration of software which is already present on the client
PC.

The alternative simply shuts out new and interesting hardware
and software. The Asus Eee PC 900 being a fine example of
hardware and software which does not meet a prescriptive
policy but which would otherwise be ideal.

Of course, a school could (and should) recommend a particular
computer retailer, laptop manufacturer and model, operating system
and office suite with an estimated price for each to give guidance
to parents which appreciate such guidance and may otherwise
spend considerably more than necessary.

</rant>

-- 
  Glen Turner