Alt Linux 5.0 Shkolny

In December 2010, Armada sent a letter to Russian governors proposing to use Alt Linux software in schools, concluding a gratuitous indefinite agreement.^[1]

The letter to the governors, signed by the general director of Armada Igor Gorbatov and the general director of Alt Linux Alexei Smirnov, says that on December 31, 2010, licenses for software delivered to all schools in Russia under the First Aid program expire. In this regard, there are legal risks associated with checking by law enforcement agencies the legality of using the installed software in schools.

To exclude such risks and inspections, as well as in order to reduce financial costs, Armada, together with Alt Linux, offer the governors "to conclude a free unlimited license agreement for the installation and update of the Alt Linux 5.0 Shkolny program package in all educational institutions of the region."

Alt Linux 5.0 School is a free replacement for foreign software products requiring annual licensing (Microsoft, Adobe, etc.), the letter said. In addition, this package is approved by the Ministry of Education and Science and is a complete analogue of foreign software necessary for the educational process.

Armada also offers teachers technical support of three levels (by phone, e-mail, via the web interface or remote access). It is carried out by specialists from Armada, Alt Linux and a network of certified partners in the federal center and in the regions.

Earlier, we recall that Adobe sent a similar letter to the governors. On behalf of the head of the Russian office of the company, Alexander Potapov, it was proposed to extend the software licenses and said that Adobe would not be able to help law enforcement agencies that would want to check educational institutions.

Recall that at present all Russian schools are equipped with software from the "First Aid" package, delivered as part of a centralized state program. Until the new year, the regions must renew their licenses, or switch to free software. Microsoft previously stated that, subject to an agreement with all educational institutions in the region, the company is ready to supply a package of its programs at a price of $8.

Alt Linux Shkolny 5.0.2

The kit includes 6 different Linux distributions for computers of various configurations, as well as free programs for Windows, video tutorials, documentation, books and educational materials. The various distributions included in the kit differ mainly in the minimum RAM requirements:

• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School Server: Minimum/Recommended RAM - 256/512 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School New Light (DVD): 96/128 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School New Light (CD): 64/64 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School Light: 96/128 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 High School Junior: 160/256 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School Master: 256/512 MB
• Alt Linux 5.0.2 School Terminal: 128/256 MB for each terminal

According to CNews Alexei Novodvorsky, Deputy General Director of ALT Linux, the Alt Linux School kit cannot be perceived simply as a software kit - the training materials included in the kit have independent value. In addition, the new version takes into account the conditions of those schools that have outdated, by modern standards, computers: 'With the advent of the "New Lung," working on computers with 128 MB of memory - of which there are still a lot, unfortunately - will cease to be torment for students and teachers, - reports Alexey Novodvorsky. - Finally, with the advent of a new version of the EOR player for Linux and new EORs, the problem of using IT in the educational process will be largely solved. The distribution also supports the system for managing the school '1C: Chronograph' (using the newly free software 'School Wine @ Etersoft') and the electronic diary system 'RUZHEL'.

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