Quoting Peter Nunn (pnunn@infoteq.com.au):
Hi Guys,
At the risk of starting a thread that runs for months, how do you overcome microsoft FUB in the education sector.
I've just quoted a couple of machines for a local, not for profit, school up my way that were intended to run KVM and file services with Winblows servers on top of them "because they have to have windows").
The Buresr, whom I do have some sympathy for, given the amount of crap he's been told, has made the decision that Linux is 'too risky', after consulting other bursers on some network of bursers (god knows) and being advised that "Linux is no good in an education environment, can't get staff, no-one uses it except a few 'out there risk takers'". Of course the M$ suppliers are pushing the same line.
How the hell do you combat this bull shit?
Generally, you combat it via a long-term effort rather than a short one, where you allow bad solutions from other people to fail and cost far too much money, have working full-scale prototypes and workable rollout and lifecycle plans available for the next implementation when the other guys fall short, and be able to cite (in at least sense) comparable deployments elsewhere. Educational officials generally do whatever seems to best cover their arses at the time. Maybe your window of opportunity isn't now, but rather next time.