Category: Technology

File this under the “bullshit” category: Schools in Pinellas County, Florida will be switching from Macs to “Personal Computers” for stupid reasons (aside from the fact that they apparently do not realize that Macs are personal computers too).

One teacher is quoted stating “With PCs, the kids should get more computer time” and “I usually like to work with PCs, with Window [sic] because you’re not limited as much.” To quote further from the article, “Teacher Tenishela Barganier says she remembers being nervous about the switch at first, but thinks personal computers are a better tool for teaching students.”

And this from the District’s IT manager: “…the only significant cost factor will be paying two different staffs to maintain the two systems.”

I understand the basic concept behind the switch, but I don’t agree with giving a false impression that Macs are somehow inferior, when it’s more likely that the School District’s IT staff is simply incompetent.

In a move which brings a whole new meaning to the “Blue Screen of Death”, the Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $90 Million contract to Microsoft to provide the desktop and server software for about 140,000 computers inside the organization.

I would normally use profanity here, but I think I’m too stunned by the complete ignorance this decision displays.

Tom Ridge and Co. certainly had other options, and I think we all know that bad things are likely to happen because of this.

Others have mentioned moving to another country as a safety measure — I vote for Northern Ireland, at least it’s safe there…