Bug 1,000,000
launchpad.net
launchpad.net
While I applaud the EUbuntu project's goals and think they're very worthy indeed, I also think they're deluding themselves if they are targeting the Apple iPad as competition.
I realize that's likely to be an unpopular view here, because hating on Apple is geekdom's new favorite past time, but to my mind it's fairly clear cut.
What's my point in all this? I think folks should focus on building great educational apps, and the platform will follow.
My God, the hubris. My fiancée works in education; I can say with absolutely certainty that "root access" is the very last thing anyone in the education system gives a shit about. They want stability, security, and longevity. The original iPad is still going strong after 2 years; are there any Android tablets released in 2010 that aren't obsolete?
Save the jabs for when after you've shipped on a tablet that can keep up.
"The only tablet on the market that doesn't violate the GPL! Yay! (You get the source code with the machine, not months later, if at all.)"
"Some manufacturers consider "root" to be a four-letter-word. We don't. The ZaTab is an open device. The bootloader is unlocked. Root access is available."
A bit of a stretch, perhaps, but I think the point is still valid: anyone arguing Ubuntu is a better solution for educators than Apple is kidding themselves. From the other linked post:
"Do the educators receive sufficient training on these tools? Who helps when things go wrong?"
Are they seriously implying Ubuntu requires less training than an iOS product?
I get that the bug is based on improving so they can compete with iPad, which is why I think calling the iPad "soon...obsolete" when they have nothing to offer that can compare is a little silly.
Are they seriously implying Ubuntu requires less training than an iOS product?
Nope, it's just a rant against spending money on iPads. A few sentences later:
The students are making the case that money would be better spent upgrading their current infrastructure, like upgrading all their machines to Windows 7 and deprecating all the old hardware that can’t run it. I agree with them, it would indeed be an improvement on buying a bunch if iPads, and that investment is likely to also last a lot longer than the iPads will.