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Zero-Licensing Benefits Education Institutions

Software companies have found many reasons for organizations to buy licenses to use their software. In some cases, organizations are harshly forced into purchasing licenses they don't even need.

Microsoft requires schools to over-purchase licenses

Currently, to qualify for a site-license, Microsoft requires all computers, even Apple Mac's and UNIX stations, to be licensed for Windows! This is a waste of budget resources that can be put to better use -- like buying or upgrading new equipment for the school!

Microsoft is accusing all school districts of software piracy unless they can prove it, by buying licenses for all their computers.

• May 5 2002: Compulsory Windows: for Macs, and people without PCs?
• April 21 2002: Microsoft threatens 24 north western USA school boards with lawsuits

The education industry can save millions by choosing to replace Windows with Linux on certain systems, like printer, file and database servers, and selectively using Windows on student and staff workstations.

In 2002, Microsoft threatened that schools cannot accept donated computers unless they come with original Windows software! Otherwise, they could audit the school and charge them with piracy.

South Carolina schools choose Linux, improve education

Seven South Carolina school boards replaced Windows systems with Linux. With the savings, they improved education for their students with new resources that would have been otherwise unaffordable.

• May 7 2002: Red Hat Launches Nation's First K-12 Red Hat Linux Education Program; Helps Improve Computing Access for All Students

Microsoft requires campuses to purchase licenses for students without computers

What sense is there to buy licenses for students who don't even have computers?

• Microsoft UK Campus Licensing Agreement

In March 2002, Microsoft threatened the University of North Carolina concerning its involvement with Linux.

Saving millions of dollars by not buying licenses

In 2001, the city of Mexico saved millions of dollars by switching from Windows to Linux.

A few years ago, Mexican schools decided to save money by moving away from Windows. They've been saving hundreds of millions every year since then. No doubt, the money saved helped improve the education system.