As the librarian at my school, I deal intimately with technology. I am an adept user of both computer platforms and have both a Windows desktop and an Apple laptop as part of my home computer network. I have been following, and sometimes participating in, the recent discussion about Pinellas school superintendent Howard Hinesley's decision to eliminate the Apple platform from our school district. I am having a very difficult time understanding the reasoning behind this decision. Here are some things I do understand:
In terms of cost, a Dell computer (currently the vendor for Windows machines in our district) usually looks less expensive than a comparable model of an Apple computer. Yet, upon closer inspection, the Dell is not as fully equipped (in terms of hard drive space, software bundles and expanded capability) as the Apple. To make the two truly comparable raises the cost of the Dell, sometimes significantly, above that of the Apple.
The majority of the world uses Windows computers. A corollary to that statement is that the majority of viruses created are for Windows computers. This is not to say that there aren't any viruses targeted toward Apples, just that by simple probability, Windows machines are far more likely to be afflicted. While virus protection software is available, to purchase and operate it adds to the expense and maintenance of a Windows machine.
An overwhelming majority of the computers used by the district are Apples, (according to your article, 68 percent) which means that the majority of software, training, time and other resources have been dedicated and expended in support of this platform. However, I can see the sense and potential savings in converting to one platform. Logically, the conversion should be completed even more quickly and with less waste of existing software, materials, expertise and money expended on new training if the smaller portion of Windows machines were the ones being converted. This is not to say that I think Windows machines have no place in the schools. I simply feel that the schools themselves should be the ones to decide which computer platform will be used, since it has the most direct impact on their students and faculty.
Many of the other people participating in this discussion feel this decision and the way it was made goes against the principles of quality management, a core belief of the Pinellas County school system. Others have said that it is an example of administrative concerns (the student information system) taking precedence over instruction and highest student achievement. Whether that is true, I cannot say.
While I am not trying to second-guess the superintendent, I wish I could understand why the decision was made, especially because it will have the most impact on me and all of the other teachers and students at schools who use Apple computers.
Since I do a lot of contracted work for Pinellas County Schools during the summer, I work with a variety of computers and am familiar with both the Macs and PCs. I have to admit that opinions will be highly colored by personal experience, but I personally prefer the PC.
Our school had the good sense several years ago to become an all-PC campus. I was very grateful since I had not been able to get any information even from the Apple company's main office in how to use the computer for languages other than English, and I had found the information on PCs.
My greatest concern always was why we were putting Apples in our classrooms and having our students use them when these computers are not found in the majority of businesses. We are supposed to be preparing our students for the world of work, and using Macs in the classroom does not do that.
We have had a lot of problems with exchange of information between schools because of using the two platforms and far too often students were unable to bring projects from home to use in the classroom. Thankfully, this will no longer be the case. Plus, with the many computers made that use the Windows programs, this will give the district better buying power and a larger market from which to shop.
-- Don Elliott, M.Ed, chairman, World Language Department, Tarpon Springs High School, Tampa
Sort fact from fiction
Re: Teachers losing their Apples.
Pinellas County School Board members, teachers, administrators, parents and students should blanch at superintendent Howard Hinesley's "directive" to displace Apple systems in favor of personal computers. His methodology and rationale make little business sense at any level.
Additionally, I'm puzzled why a directive was made without benefit of a committee, one empowered to choose where the school system will spend its budget for technology - $8-million in 2003. I'm also puzzled why Dr. Hinesley is surprised with the resulting uproar.
In my opinion, Hillsborough County's five-year agreement with Compaq is in hindsight a poor economic choice for that district. Had Pinellas County school officials checked with their Hillsborough colleagues, they would have learned that total cost of ownership, including hardware, software and services exceeds that of Apple.
Missing from the article and directive is any mention of software support and services. Apple has made a huge investment in training, software and services strategically aimed at the education market. In turn, our schools have partnered with Apple by investing in software and training, an investment potentially lost with the new directive. Further, the school system will be forced to duplicate software documentation and media for the replacement PC systems. The larger unknown is the future of any educational software development and services commitment by Dell or any other PC vendor.
I'm not an Apple user but have seen firsthand the strong Apple allegiance among students and faculty. My personal experience: Early learners exposed to computers for the first time find Apples more inviting, easier to use and simply pick up technology faster with Apple systems. Also, as our Pasco County colleagues shared, "they're more reliable and easier to support."
Bottom line: Apple is a proven, strong education partner and is a viable long-term option compared to Microsoft-based PC systems. Besides being more reliable, Apple systems seldom experience the virus infestations that endlessly plague PC systems.
Now it's up to the School Board to table this recent directive and invest the time needed to sort out fact vs. fiction. Do what's best for our schools and listen to a meaningfully assembled committee consisting of school administration, faculty, parents, students and district support personnel. Make a decision that best serves the school district's long-term technology needs while protecting its current investment.
-- Michael W. Doyle, Clearwater
Uniformity makes things easier
I applaud Pinellas County school superintendent Howard Hinesley's decision to migrate to a PC platform when the current inventory of Apple computers become obsolete.
While I can understand the loyalty to Apple's products, I feel that standardizing on the PC platform will benefit the students in the long run. The vast majority of businesses use PCs running the Windows operating system on a day-to-day basis. Also, I would think most homes are PC/Windows-based. Maintaining a uniform platform just makes things easier on parents, students and teachers alike.
While there will be a small learning curve, the differences between Apple's Mac OS and Windows are few. It should not take long for people who have used an Apple computer to find their way around a PC.
-- Tom Ufer, Palm Harbor
Switch makes little sense
Re: Teachers losing their Apples.
With Macs and PCs able to link to each other almost effortlessly, the famed ease of use of the Mac and its advanced features that often take a year or two to show up on PCs, it makes little sense to force the schools to switch.
With the Mac's lower maintenance costs, it seems especially odd to do this now when schools are in such need of money.
-- Tom Miller, Clearwater
PCs prevail in the corporate world
Thank you, Pinellas County, for finally coming out of the dark ages. Students need to learn using the same tools they can expect to use across corporate America. Whether all teachers like PCs or not should be irrelevant. It is a question of what is best for the students. If teachers don't like the idea of having to learn a new system, why should we require our students to do it?
The point is, based on the current technology being used in the schools, any student who uses a computer outside the classroom is being required to learn two different systems. As a parent, I applaud this decision!
One more area for consideration is that by changing to PCs, the county could potentially gain from local business and corporate donations. Companies very frequently phase out technology by donating their old PCs. Given the severe budget restraints in Pinellas County, particularly the lack of technology funds available in recent years, can the school system really afford to turn down the generosity of these type donations?
-- Cheryl Hadley, St. Petersburg
Macs are designed for creativity
The flaw in Pinellas school superintendent Howard Hinesley's thinking lies in the fundamental basis of teaching: creativity. Apple has designed the Mac for creativity and teachers have recognized this for years. The basic Microsoft-designed Windows interface is not a healthy environment for teaching.
I can imagine teachers and technicians running Microsoft's weekly patch to prevent virus contamination. Or worse, third graders receiving e-mails offering breast enhancement or larger penis size.
On Saturday, I found it difficult to tell the difference between the Times' coverage of the Pinellas School Board in Section B and Dilbert's continuing quest for "data by sewer" in the comics.
-- Jim Patterson, Largo
A scheme for economic rejuvenation
Our fearless leaders in Tallahassee have done it again! In view of an unclaimed $50-million lottery ticket, millions of dollars have now become available for spending. And our leaders have a plan to rejuvenate the Florida economy. The God-sent millions are going to be spent by increasing the advertising and promotional lottery budget.
This way, the argument goes, more people will buy more tickets and hence increase profits. By increasing the promotional budget for the lottery, the ad agency will make a bundle. It will then give $300 bonuses to its employees who in turn will go on a spending binge, and voila - our state economy will flourish and education will receive its just reward - more budget cuts.
After all, if such a scheme worked at the federal level, think what it should do to Florida's educational program and economy!
-- Manoug Manougian, Tampa
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