Running a Lab without windows
One interesting area that has developed over the last couple of years is the use of Linux in some school systems. Beyond the fact that Linux itself is free (or low-cost, if you buy a commercialized version of it), it also runs on older, slower computers without trouble. There are sites dedicated just to supporting Linux and other open source software packages in schools, such as schoolforge.net, that can give you an overview of other reasons to consider choosing this option and steps to take to implement this approach.
A good example of one of these projects is at http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=7418 (part one), and http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=7419 (part two). The author describes how he created an all-Linux and open source software lab, which has proven to be very easy to maintain and operate. (Warning: Some aspects of this article are a bit geeky.)
A word of clarification before you go perusing these sites ? you will see two terms, which are sometimes confused. One is open source and the other is free software. Open source software means that anyone can look at the programming code, and make changes and modifications to it. Free software is software that can be freely and legally downloaded and used by anyone without paying. Open source software is often free, and free software is often open source, but this isn’t always the case.
You’ll see the difference in the communities and groups that are involved in this. Some promote open source software because they believe it’s cheaper, technically better, and doesn’t lead to dependence on any one vendor. Others are intense idealists that see free software as a valiant effort against evil, money-grubbing megacorporations bent on world domination. The web pages and comments you come across will be flavored accordingly.
There is still a fairly high technical level to implementing Linux and other open source programs, but that is changing. The Sun computer company is developing a professional, graphically pleasing version of Linux called “Looking Glass.” They have posted a video demonstration of how it works and what it looks like at wwws.sun.com/software/looking_glass/demo.html. They have turned the windows on the screen into three-dimensional objects that can be rotated. (You’ll need to watch the video to really imagine how it works!)