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From: ericmcg@pro-generic.cts.com (Eric Mcgillicuddy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Educomputing 2000
Message-ID: <9149.infoapple.net@pro-generic>
Date: 4 Jan 90 05:36:10 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 32

In-Reply-To: message from bchurch@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU

Ontario has been using UNIX systems in the elementary and secondary schools
for about 5 years now on the Unisys ICON system. It has basically failed. A
little history first. By 1983 a number of different microcomputers were
installed in Ontario schools, Commodore PETs, Apple II's and about a dozen
CP/M type machines. The costs for maintaining each type was increasing
rapidly, particularly for the orphaned CP/M machines (remember Hyperion?) In
addition software was needed for each school for each machine. Since the
courseware was to be standardized across the province, each program had to be
ported to each machine increasing costs further. The solution was to
standardize are a single system. ICON was chosen because it was networked UNIX
and fast (at the time). Schools could buy which ever system they wanted, but
would not receive any subsidies unless ICON's were purchased. Many boards
continued with the same systems snce the ICONs were very expensive even with
the subsidy. This was 1985. 

It is now 1990. The ICONs are now one of five systems authorized for
subsidies. There is still little software available for them, compared to
Apple II and C64 and most children would rather not use them (depending on
their aptitude, some love them, some will never use a computer again). Most
school boards are going IBM except those with large numbers of Apples, who are
networking off of a Mac file server. Secondary schools are close to 99% IBM
with 1% everything else. The C64's have moved down to elementary schools. 

UNIX in schools might take off, but at present the cost is too high. Stable
X-windows (ditch the CLI entirely) is needed, 386 boxes with 80+Meg HD's and a
cuouple Meg's of RAM plus VGA+ graphics. the ICON is 8088 based and is kinda
DOS compatible. The ICON II is 286 based and more DOS compatible. 

The kids can use the Apple II's, bu the Mac's are for the teachers only. EDNET
seems to be IBM's future. Amiga's are used in special areas, music usually.