http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/12/08/the-problem-with-free-stuff/ Education. Technology. Productivity. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/12/08/the-problem-with-free-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-6275 Doug Belshaw Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:24:00 +0000 http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/?p=3713#comment-6275 Thanks for the comment Shane. I've found that the problem with schools is that they are wary about (or completely disallow) purchases over the internet from any retailers or services other than the biggest names. This stifles innovation. If, say, there was a mechanism to claim back this money quickly and easily (as there is at *some* schools) teachers would be more likely to have a departmental Flickr Pro account, for example. :-) Thanks for the comment Shane. I’ve found that the problem with schools is
that they are wary about (or completely disallow) purchases over the
internet from any retailers or services other than the biggest names. This
stifles innovation. If, say, there was a mechanism to claim back this money
quickly and easily (as there is at *some* schools) teachers would be more
likely to have a departmental Flickr Pro account, for example. :-)

]]> http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/12/08/the-problem-with-free-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-6274 shanetechteach Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:23:00 +0000 http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/?p=3713#comment-6274 Doug, I agree with all you say - even your conclusion. If a tool is valuable enough for someone in their professional or personal life then support the programmers. I had not thought of supporting staff with use of software requiring payment by giving them an allowance - great idea. I might see if I can work this into my budget for 2010. Great post, cheers. Doug, I agree with all you say – even your conclusion. If a tool is valuable enough for someone in their professional or personal life then support the programmers. I had not thought of supporting staff with use of software requiring payment by giving them an allowance – great idea. I might see if I can work this into my budget for 2010. Great post, cheers.

]]> http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/12/08/the-problem-with-free-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-6273 Doug Belshaw Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:44:00 +0000 http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/?p=3713#comment-6273 I think what people did with Etherpad was *state a case* rather than grumbled. They gave reasons why it should be kept going, and Google had the resources to help them out. That's not always the case, unfortunately. We, as educators, need to recognise and plan accordingly! I think what people did with Etherpad was *state a case* rather than grumbled. They gave reasons why it should be kept going, and Google had the resources to help them out. That’s not always the case, unfortunately. We, as educators, need to recognise and plan accordingly!

]]> http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/12/08/the-problem-with-free-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-6272 José Picardo Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:39:00 +0000 http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/?p=3713#comment-6272 Spot on Doug. So true. Although I think the conclusion is a bit harsh. People who grumbled about Etherpad being closed down eventually convinced Google and Etherpad to keep the service running and open up its source code. Perhaps grumbling does serve a purpose after all! Spot on Doug. So true. Although I think the conclusion is a bit harsh. People who grumbled about Etherpad being closed down eventually convinced Google and Etherpad to keep the service running and open up its source code. Perhaps grumbling does serve a purpose after all!

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