OpenClassroom releases Alpha 01 (Server) toolset.
Sep 17th, 20:07 UTC
OpenClassroom releases Alpha 01 (Server) version of the
first GNU/Linux distribution focused on the Education market.
Munich, Germany, 16 September 1999.
OpenClassroom Alpha 01 (server) available now.
OpenClassroom announced today the general availability of their Alpha 01 (Server) toolset. This is a developers-only release. It includes most of the components of the final distribution, as well as sample content for a school to set-up their own website. Also included are a 60-page installation and configuration manual, as well as a guide to customize the sample content.
The Alpha 01 (Server) toolset and the documentation files (in PDF format) are available for download now, free of charge, at OpenClassroom's website.
Why Open Source in Education?
"Most school administrators and teachers do not have neither the time nor the inclination to become experts in Open Source software. Yet, they all are very interested in exploring the use of Open Source software in the educational arena for several reasons: no licensing fees, access to source code, no forced obsolescence of their existing hardware, and no dependence on a single software vendor" stated Jose C. Lacal, OpenClassroom's Chief Vision Officer. "OpenClassroom's corporate mission is to facilitate the adoption of Open Source software by educational institutions through the creation and distribution of an integrated package of software that allows educational organizations to create 'communities of knowledge' by connecting their existing PCs or Macs (old or new) into a network, both local and worldwide, such as the Internet. A central focus of OpenClassroom is to allow such organizations to extend the usable life of their existing equipment by bringing them state-of-the-art Open Source software that runs on their 'old' PCs and Macs. Our toolset allows organizations and citizens to own and operate their own 'digital printing press.'
OpenClassroom and the Open Source community
"OpenClassroom is committed to be a responsible member of the Open Source community," stated Brendon Grunewald, OpenClassroom's Chief Rainmaker. "OpenClassroom is already a member of the SEUL-Edu community, and we are also in discussions with the ScholarNet people in Mexico in order to work together towards a common Open Source educational framework. We are also looking forward to forging alliances with content producers that want to target the educational sector. The OpenClassroom distribution will allow those content providers to reach a much wider audience faster, and at lower costs."
Looking for seed funding
OpenClassroom is currently looking for seed funding. Please contact Brendon.Grunewald@OpenClassroom.org for a copy of our Business Plan Summary and Term Sheet.
Background information
Launched in June 1999, OpenClassroom brings the revolutionary power and global reach of the Internet; the cost-effective, high-quality technology of the OpenSource community; and the transparency of open information standards; affordably, to the global educational community.
The OpenClassroom Distribution consists of three components: a Server component (released today); a Client component (to be released in 03 weeks); and a Connector component (to be released in 06 weeks). Please refer to the Developer's section of OpenClassroom's website for more technical details.
OpenClassroom's business model is to select, package and distribute the best and most relevant Open Source software available that is useful for educational institutions. OpenClassroom wants to become the Red Hat (TM) of Open Source in Education. According to some estimates, the educational IT budget in the US alone is over US$10 billion per year, including software.
OpenClassroom's founders have over 20 years of combined IT and telecom business experience in both technical and managerial roles in multinational high-tech companies. Their passion for Open Source, combined with their personal commitment to Education, lead them to launch this initiative.
Contact
Jose C. Lacal
Chief Vision Officer
http://www.OpenClassroom.org
+49 (173) 4077745
ICQ: 34812065
(Submitted by Jose C. Lacal of OpenClassroom Initiative)
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