What software will I need?

Ok, so here is a list of all the software that I will need for a successful teacher pc.

1. An Operating System
   
2. Office Suite
3. Internet Browser
4. Media Player
5. Email Client

First things first, I will need an operating system. This computer in installed with Windows XP Professional: Tablet PC edition, with Service Pack 3 installed.

The retail price of that piece of software is about $150.

The major commercial software alternative is MacOSX. While cheaper (~$100) it's still not cheap in a world of $300 computers.

So we are left with the only really free option. Linux.

Did you hear that? That was the sound of a million hairs going up on a million necks all at once.

Yep, linux has a bad rap. And I'll admit, it's a well-deserved bad rap. I started working with linux many years ago, in it's relative adolescence, and it was overwhelming for me, and I'm not easily overwhelmed by complicated computery.

At the time, linux users were pleased as punch to scare the average user.

Screens like this one:


made peoples' teeth fall out. And that was just how the linux users liked it. It was a renniessence of a time when computers were used by hobbiests and researchers, and those who could use them were part of an elite cadre.

BUT THAT WAS THEN!

And this:

...is now

People saw that linux can be that tool for the uber1337 hacker types, but it can also be a fantastically stable, secure, attractive, EASY TO USE, and (wait for it) FREE alternative for Joe Everyman.

More to come.