Re: [K12OSN] is it really free?

[anthony baldwin <anthonybaldwin snet net>]

Steve Wright wrote:
> Tony,
>
>  THE single most important thing, if I understand you correctly, is your
> relationship with this family.  This being the case, I would say you
> have a really big problem on your hands.

Well, Carl and I have already had it out over MS vs. Linux.  We agree to 
disagree, so I don't think that declining his offer would really cuase 
any major hard feelings.  That is a concern, but a very minor cocnern. 
The single most important things is that I find a way to provide better 
access to technology for my students.  This seems a viable means of 
doing that, but is fraught with potential dangers, as you know.

(Carl has effectively caused me to be a little more open-minded, too. 
He points out that there are many decent, hardworking folks who pay 
their mortgage and grocery bills with a paycheck from Microsoft.)

>  If I were in your position, I would say nothing further and follow your
> own heart.  You two have a huge difference of opinion bordering on the
> "religious".
>
> Regarding "free" - for sure, it will cost you little or nothing, but
> that is only one aspect of "free".  Then there is the "free" as in
> "freedom" which you most certainly will not have, and then it will cost
> you your liberty, which perhaps answers your question.

That's what I think.

The real moral conundrum now is: Can I accept gifts from the Devil and 
use them for good (install Linux on them)?  Is it dishonest or 
hypocritical of me to take or even consider taking gifts from MS?  How 
much freedom am I potentially jeapordizing if I take their gift?
Who will save my soul if I sell it to the Devil for some trinkets?
;}

tony

> best,
> Steve
--
Anthony Baldwin

http://www.School-Library.net
Freedom to Learn!