Choice ought to be considered with the 'seriosity' it deserves. Its like ODM vs PNU. If you dwell on the pros/cons of FOSS/Proprietary you will be left jogging on the same spot. To quote Mark Shuttleworth [Founder of Ubuntu], "Windows is a very important platform, and our justifiable pride in Linux and the GNU stack shouldn't blind us to the importance of delivering software that is widely useful.".

The team at Canonical has come up with this innovation called Windows-native installer for Ubuntu into 8.04 LTS. What is really classy about it is the way it uses the Windows Boot Manager sensibly to offer you the Ubuntu option. If I was a Windows user who was intrigued but nervous about Linux, this would be a really great way to get a taste of it, at low risk. Being able to install and uninstall a Linux OS as if it were a Windows application.

So, at JKUAT e-Government Academy, its no longer about whats cheaper/better, but when you attend IT courses [including security] there, you get to learn about the whole lot [Foss and Windows] in one course. What you then decide to use in your day to day life becomes your CHOICE!!

[Pat on my back] as I acknowledge virtual cheers and ululations from this list.

Bill

On Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 9:05 PM, Patrick Mburu <patrick.mburu@gmail.com> wrote:
Good afternoon,

a quick note on the ICDL;  Actually ICDL is a standard certification
of competencies an individual has in the use of IT;  It is broken down
into the different modules such as word processor's and databases...etc
The curriculum is a non vendor based certification however the mode of
delivery is dependent on the implementing organization;
I'm leading the implementation of this standard, we are scheduling the
implementation of this certification and have had to base this on
Microsoft Office for licensing and other matters;  I do know that
other sister agencies have done this with various implementations
indeed including IT Training curricula on open source systems as well,
i.e: ILO of the UN un Turin,Italy;

It would be a shame to certify this programme on specific vendors
where there are other options available.  The Computing Society of
Kenya or the highest training board in relation to IT should be
involved in this aspect as adherence to the accredation.  anyone on
the list from either?

Regards,

Patrick