[luau] Testimony in favor of SCR 109, Open Source Software

[Michael_Bishop/FARRINCS/HIDOE at notes.k12.hi.us]

Here is the testimony I sent in. I'd like to thank Jeff Zidek, Warren
Togami and Scott Belford for their help over the last few months. If not
for their help I would never have gotten so far so fast. I'd also like to
thank those on the LUAU list for your input and insight. Its been a great
help and inspiration.

Here's to the passing of SCR 109!

Michael


---------------------- Forwarded by Michael Bishop/FARRINCS/HIDOE on
03/31/2003 03:15 PM ---------------------------


Michael Bishop
03/31/2003 03:02 PM

To:    dige3 at capitol.hawaii.gov
cc:

Subject:    Testimony in favor of SCR 109, Open Source Software

To:   Senator David Y. Ige, Chair
      Committee on Science, Arts, and Technology

From: Michael Bishop
      McKinley Community School for Adults
      634 Pensacola Street, Room 216
      Honolulu, HI 96814
      429-3030

Hearing Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at 2:45pm

Subject: Support for SCR 109, Open Source Software

Thank you for this opportunity to testify. My name is Michael Bishop and I am the technology coordinator for
McKinley Community School for Adults. I am in favor of SCR 109 based on my experience with Open Source
Software. It has allowed me to maximize our limited resources and I feel it can do the same for the Government.

A few months ago McKinley CSA was in need of a file server to run some software we use to teach students ESL.
I considered many options and decided to try out Linux, specifically a piece of software named Samba because
of its reputation of being a reliable file sharing software. It was just as hard learning how to use it then any other type
of software I've used and I had some initial trouble. We needed it working right away so I asked for help from a
non-profit organization I had been working with called HOSEF (Hawaii Open Source Education Foundation at
www.hosef.org). With their help we were able to get a file server up and running within hours. Once it was setup
I was able to learn more about it and find out what I needed. After a few weeks of checking on it, I forgot about
it and I don't worry about it anymore.

Linux will enable us to build a 30 computer lab from donated older computers. We plan on using Linux because
it is easy to take care of once setup and it makes great use of older computers that would otherwise probably be
tossed out.

Open Source Software has a proven record of stability and usefulness. It is used in companies of all sizes, from
the small to the international. A few examples of the types of software and companies that use them:

   Website design and management (we plan on using for our new school website):
         Locally the Governor's web site (www.hawaii.gov/gov) is based on Open Source Software built by the
         State of Hawaii ICSD eGov team. Software includes Zope (www.zope.org) and Plone (www.plone.org).

         Internationally users of the same software include Verizon Wireless, Red Hat, NASA, the US Navy,
         ishopehere.com, i-Gift, IDG (Brazil), GE, Digital Garage, Verio, www.HireTechs.com, Park City Ski Area,
         and Storm Linux.

   Server Functionality (for sharing files and printing):
         Samba (www.samba.org) is an Open Source/Free Software suite that provides seamless file and print
         services. Companies that use Samba include Caldera, Cobalt Networks, Hewlett-Packard,
         SiliconGraphics, Veritas and VMWare.

   Application Server (to renew the old donated computers we are getting):
         LTSP (www.ltsp.org and www.k12ltsp.org) lets you boot diskless workstations from an applications
         server. You can use old PC's or buy new ones for under $200 each.

         Locally Mid-Pacific Institute has setup an LTSP lab. I have sat at the computers and used them. From
         what I have seen it works well to fulfill the needs of the students.

In conclusion I feel that Linux and Open Source Software would be of a great benefit to Government and Education
because it is reliable, cost effective and has great performance. Thank you.