[vet-mm] RE: Dual Boot Macs

Wed Jun 18 12:53:39 EST 2008

I can sit silent no longer...
Those techs are providing PC-assistance, not true technical assistance then - which is presumably their mantra.

When will those guys stop putting their heads in the sand and wake up to the fact that Macs and PCs are BOTH real world solutions used by real industry to assist in real work for which we are preparing students. It 'erks' me when so called IT experts explain that they cant support teachnology from a $77 billion company with the world's hottest consumer brand. If our design (and other) students are going to be prepared for this IT-oriented world, they need to be able to use both platforms interchangebly --- a lesson that many of these techs clearly have not learnt themselves.

Part of the problem is that techs hold a position of 'expert' within the decision making processes of schools and learning institutions - so when some say it simply "cant be done", they are believed. What they should be saying is "they dont know how it can be done" as clearly it can be (as one list member has already reported).

There will always be 'died in the wool' enthusiasts who clearly sit in one camp or the other, but you would hope that a techs responses were based more on professional expertise than subjective leanings. They are making decisions about infrastructure - and infrastructure should support multiple players, in multiple settings and with multiple tools. Imagine a road network that only 'supported' Holdens or just Japanese imports - you get the idea.

In any case the two platforms are becoming closer (ala the Intel chip in an iMac) and it will be interesting to see where this convergence leads. That is another discussion for another time, but it does call into question the whole 'one camp or the other' approach.

The modern worker operates and innovates in a ICT world where ideally 'everyone can play' regardless of individual equipment specs (including platform) - this world is not coming, it already exists. Students should be prepared for it and not limited by the narrow prejudiced views of so called experts.

OK, I'm getting worked up now and I really do acknowledge that there are some complex technical issues that technical staff need to handle here, but my point is that the convenient 'knee-jerk' decision is not always the correct decision. 

Time to get off the soapbox
-- Rob

________________________________

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of ARNOTT Suz
Sent: Wed 18-Jun-08 11:13 AM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: RE: [vet-mm] RE: Dual Boot Macs

We have been told by our techs not to choose a mac, as they can not support it

Bit sad :-(

We are an all PC school

Suzanne Arnott

ICT Staff Support

Photography and Multimedia Coordinator

Elisabeth Murdoch College

Langwarrin

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From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of geoffadcock
Sent: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 11:09 AM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: [vet-mm] RE: Dual Boot Macs

Hi Jacquie

Primarily we are a PC school.

We have a Lab of Macs running VM FusionWare to enable Windows XP.

I would not recommend it at all, it really is a disaster over a network. Our tech guys are trying to find something that will better serve the school but have yet to find a suitable solution.

Geoff Adcock

Girton Grammar  

________________________________

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Tinkler, Jacquie J
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2008 4:03 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: [vet-mm] Dual Boot Macs

Hi List members, this is not strictly a MM question, but I am guessing a few of you may have Macs...

I have an ancient IBM Thinkpad (as some of you will I guess) and was wondering how those of you with Macs went with the Mac/Windows Dual boot and/or Emulator are going. I would love a Mac, but we are primarily a PC school, although I am working on getting Mac in out Art/design dept as the kids will end up using them in industry later.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jacquie Tinkler

Wangaratta High School

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