Graduation Day for Linux
Accounting Class for Linux
Brian Proffitt
While the financial benefits of K12LTSP seem clear, how do the numbers
break down in a real world environment?
Nelson provided these numbers from the hardware budget of a recent
30-computer lab installation in the Portland Public Schools:
| Server: |
| ASUS Dual CPU/LAN/SCSI Motherboard | 1 | $366.00 |
| Enlight case, 250W power supply | 1 | $63.00 |
| Intel 1.13Ghz PIII CPU | 2 | $161.00 |
| 512MB PC133 SDRAM | 4 | $169.00 |
| 18.4GB SCSI LVD 7200 RPM | 2 | $390.00 |
| Intel 10/100 NIC | 3 | $33.00 |
| Total | $2066.00 |
| Workstations: |
| Amptron compact computer [BCII-630e] | 30 | $153.00 |
| CTL 17" .28 monitor | 30 | $130.00 |
| 128MB PC133 SDRAM | 30 | $36.00 |
| StRUT PIII CPU | 30 |
$0.00 |
| Total: | $9570.00 |
| Data projector: |
| Epson Powerlite 50C projector | 1 | $1626.00 |
| Printer: |
| HP 4100TN Laser | 1 | $1589.00 |
| Switches: |
| SMC 8-port 10/100 Mbps unmanaged | 4 | $55.00 |
| Total: | $220.00 |
| Cabling: |
| 15FT cat5e ethernet | 40 | $2.35 |
| Total: | $94.00 |
| Power strips: |
| Fellows split surge strips | 8 | $14.42 |
| Total: | $115.36 |
| Total lab cost: $15280.36 |
| Standard lab cost: $30914.36 |
| [For the standard lab cost: LTSP workstations/server were removed, 30 of
the standard CTL workstations we usually order were put in there place
at $909/each] |
This does not, of course, include any of the licensing costs for using
Windows or Mac operating systems. All of these cost savings combined
have given the project a tremendous push.
"We have experienced a ground swell of community support. Imagine, a
public agency saving tax payer money and ending up with a better product
at the same time," Nelson said, "It's a cost savings that just keeps on piling up when
you count all the upgrades you don't have to pay for. Just the savings
from yearly virus software subscriptions is important not to mention the
freedom from infections."
There were some other unexpected costs savings gained along the
way, as well.
When the U.S. Congress passed the Children's Internet Protection
Act, Harrison said, all schools were required by law to provide
filtering software on Internet-connected systems. Natually, he added
sardonically, the cost of commercial filtering systems skyrocketed at
just about the same time the bill was passed. But when he costed out
these software packages to the free SquidGuard package, the choice was
clear. Harrison then developed a custom filter setup package
for SquidGuard and has since distributed the software to "half the
state of Oregon, shaving millions of dollars off [software fees]."
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