OSNews: http://www.osnews.com/story/25999/Google_funds_computer_teachers_and_Raspberry_Pis_in_England Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2013, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Wed, 22 May 2013 22:27:02 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif OSNews.com http://www.osnews.com Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519380 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519380 Very nice.

Now, where's the catch? Google needs to earn money, so here must be some catch somewhere.

"You see how cool we are? we are not evil. Forget about privacy horror we bringed, just use our products!Oh, and we're better than Microsoft and Apple too!"

No. Actually, you're just the same.

Take the money and wait for the crap to come. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:07:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (marcp) Comments I really hope ... http://www.osnews.com/thread?519381 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519381 Really hope this takes off but I can imagine some schools not taking it up seriously. I have a pi on order and will be showing it to my kids if they are interested, be good for them to use it a school too instead of playing with all the MS products which is all they seem to do.

Just wait for MS to throw hardware and more cheap / free products at the schools as they won't want to lose the position they are in where kids are brought up on MS pretty much exclusively. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:09:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (OutOfOffice) Comments RE: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519384 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519384
Now, where's the catch? Google needs to earn money, so here must be some catch somewhere.

No. They get good PR, and possibly tax deductions. And long-term, future competent employees with deep loyalty.

As for privacy, Google has the best record of all comparable companies out there, larger problems like the Patriot Act abusive powers notwithstanding. Far better than Microsoft and Apple, yes.

Thanks, troll. This could have been a nice discussion on teaching CS to children, but now you derailed it, I fear it will just be three pages of back-and-forth on Google's privacy invasion - Oh, the horror of a unified privacy policy! Oh, look, they snooped on completely open wifi networks! My house was visited by robbers and it was all Google Street View's fault! Etc.Edited 2012-05-25 09:19 UTC Fri, 25 May 2012 09:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE[2]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519386 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519386 I agree it is a PR move. But knowing Google as we all know it it's something more.
Personaly I may have faith in individuals, but not in corporations. I've already explained why.

Now, onto the privacy. You call us paranoids, we call you victims. Thank you and have a nice day.

I love when people call a "troll" someone who articulates his thoughts pointing out potential problems. Go ahead and call every sceptical and thinking human being a troll. That's easier. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:36:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (marcp) Comments RE: I really hope ... http://www.osnews.com/thread?519387 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519387 It's hard to beat the Pi on cheapness though.

To me it seems it's usable on a different number of subjects. Not only computer science, but also physics for example or handwork classes where you can make a nice looking case for it.

To make it even more fun for the students I'd let them keep it when the year's over. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:47:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (MOS6510) Comments RE[3]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519388 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519388 Google is an enemy of privacy, but I don't think they're going to invade the privacy of students using Pi's. There aren't that many English students compared to the world population, nor have they a lot of money to spend on products that appear in Google provided ads.

It doesn't cost Google that much money so it's probably a PR move. I don't think that's very evil, let them have good PR and the school Pi's, everyone's a winner.

If it turns out a success it will be good for education and Pi. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:54:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (MOS6510) Comments RE[3]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519389 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519389 Google is funding a third-party charity to buy open fourth-party computer development kits for children.

You immediatly divert the discussion on Google privacy policy.

You do not, at any time, point out any potential problem with the subject at hand. "But knowing Google as we all know it it's something more." Please do tell us what is this hidden, nefarious goal that Google is pursuing with this scheme. I in particular is interested, for I do seem in your eyes to be a naïve and dumb victim. Please enlighten me.

Or else you are, indeed, paranoid and/or a troll. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:55:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE: I really hope ... http://www.osnews.com/thread?519391 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519391 "Now children, let me teach you how to program for Windows CE." Fri, 25 May 2012 09:57:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE[4]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519404 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519404 Oh, indeed. I am delighted to provide you with enlightenment. You see, there is a thing called "vendor lock-in". Its cousin is "make-them-use-our-brand-and-feel-at-home-with-our-so-called-"free"-pr oducts-good". It's all about habit and potential monetization of this habit.

When people use Google they pay for the services with their own freaking data and privacy. How hard is it to understand this simple fact? Simple trade - comfort for security and privacy. This is how it works. Enough said. I was not intending to talk about privacy alone, really. Fri, 25 May 2012 12:13:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (marcp) Comments RE[5]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519409 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519409
When people use Google they pay for the services with their own freaking data and privacy. How hard is it to understand this simple fact? Simple trade - comfort for security and privacy. This is how it works. Enough said. I was not intending to talk about privacy alone, really.


And despite Google supposedly trading your privacy... They are the only large technology company providing insight into the collected data, how to retrieve said data, how to prevent said data from being collected in the first place, and how to get it out.

Apple provides zero insight. Zero. Nothing. Nada. Microsoft probably provides some, but I doubt they allow you to retrieve, delete, etc. Fri, 25 May 2012 12:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments RE[5]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519413 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519413 So, genius, could you point me where this has a friggin' relationship with Google funding a charity to get Raspberry Pis and Arduinos into schoolrooms?

Crazy. Fri, 25 May 2012 13:03:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE[5]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519416 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519416
Oh, indeed. I am delighted to provide you with enlightenment. You see, there is a thing called "vendor lock-in". Its cousin is "make-them-use-our-brand-and-feel-at-home-with-our-so-called-"free"-pr oducts-good". It's all about habit and potential monetization of this habit.


So Googles nefarious master plan is to lock little kiddies into using a platform they didn't develop, do not control and have not directly funded, is not branded by them or related to their brand in any way, and does not run software developed by Google?

Truly, Google must be evil geniuses. How did we not see through this cunning plan earlier?! Fri, 25 May 2012 13:34:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Vanders) Comments Comment by ilovebeer http://www.osnews.com/thread?519424 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519424 I'm not knocking anyone who takes action that benefits children/education. Regardless of their motives, if it helps kids, go for it. However, the raspberry pi is not exactly powerful. It may do well helping kids learn python and browse the web (at some point in the future when X is hw accelerated). But, you aren't going to be doing anything math intensive on it, and you better have a good book handy if you want to compile anything because you're going to be waiting a while.

In some cases, the raspberry pi will do just fine and is a good solution (assuming the system will find its way to being stable). But as a good general use computer, look elsewhere. Fri, 25 May 2012 15:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ilovebeer) Comments RE[5]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519428 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519428 Well, I do hope you're right, but only time can tell.
I may be wrong and I'd like to be wrong in this case, because it's about charity and human development. Fri, 25 May 2012 15:57:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (marcp) Comments RE[6]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519444 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519444 Ahh, but see, it's exactly that we can't even fathom what the grand plan is which makes somebody a true Evil Genius ;P Fri, 25 May 2012 16:59:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (zima) Comments RE: Comment by ilovebeer http://www.osnews.com/thread?519455 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519455 I don't disagree.
I would rather my kids come home telling me what they have made the computer do (python, whatever) rather than coming home saying 'we made a powerpoint presentation today'.
Even web pages they use Dreamweaver!! My tax GBP at work, obviously.

Also, these are kids we are talking about .. probably secondary school, 11 - 16 years old. Not certain compiling something is in the remit as yet.

Many of the kids won't be interested, but those that are will hopefully get the opportunity and guidance and I don't think that's a bad thing. Fri, 25 May 2012 18:37:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (OutOfOffice) Comments RE[2]: I really hope ... - how to beat the Pi http://www.osnews.com/thread?519470 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519470 The plan is to train computer teachers then send them off to the schools with a pocket full of budget to buy equipment. The Pi is one potential option they may spend that budget on.

Microsoft could simply continue the practice of swooping in with a truck load of hardware to donate complete computer labs.

Pi @ 35$ > MS donations @ 0$

I think it would be a travesty if MS did such a thing just to keep the "get them early" loyalty program going but it has been there usual response to schools choosing other branding. Fri, 25 May 2012 19:37:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (jabbotts) Comments RE[3]: I really hope ... - how to beat the Pi http://www.osnews.com/thread?519514 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519514
The plan is to train computer teachers then send them off to the schools with a pocket full of budget to buy equipment. The Pi is one potential option they may spend that budget on.

Microsoft could simply continue the practice of swooping in with a truck load of hardware to donate complete computer labs.

Pi @ 35$ > MS donations @ 0$

I think it would be a travesty if MS did such a thing just to keep the "get them early" loyalty program going but it has been there usual response to schools choosing other branding.

You say that as if there's not any mutual benefit. How exactly does it harm a school when their entire computer lab costs them $0? How exactly does it harm the students that they have a computer lab to use? Lastly, what do you expect in a system that's been forced to see out their own sponsors and partnerships because they've been grossly underfunded by the politicians? If you remove big business from our education system, you have practically nothing left at all. Would that be better? Sat, 26 May 2012 00:45:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ilovebeer) Comments RE[4]: I really hope ... - how to beat the Pi http://www.osnews.com/thread?519529 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519529
If you remove big business from our education system, you have practically nothing left at all.


If that's he case maybe you should get cracking on creating s system that doesn't suck. Sat, 26 May 2012 05:29:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Soulbender) Comments RE[5]: I really hope ... - how to beat the Pi http://www.osnews.com/thread?519533 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519533
If you remove big business from our education system, you have practically nothing left at all.

If that's he case maybe you should get cracking on creating s system that doesn't suck.

That kind of change can only come from congress. They are, afterall, the ones who gutted & ruined our education system, along with using college as a means to get into the load business. Sat, 26 May 2012 06:11:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ilovebeer) Comments RE[6]: I really hope ... - how to beat the Pi http://www.osnews.com/thread?519568 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519568

That kind of change can only come from congress. They are, afterall, the ones who gutted & ruined our education system, along with using college as a means to get into the load business.

*loan business. Stupid time-limit on editing your own posts. Sat, 26 May 2012 14:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ilovebeer) Comments RE: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519574 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519574 Saying every corporation is the same is like saying every person is the same, stoopid Sat, 26 May 2012 18:26:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (sirspudd) Comments RE[6]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519642 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519642 Actually there is a relationship, google needs openness to compete and earn money, and this is good pr for them.

winners r us Mon, 28 May 2012 00:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (andih) Comments RE[6]: Comment by marcp http://www.osnews.com/thread?519956 http://www.osnews.com/thread?519956 PS. Perhaps you could get slice of the cake, too - port Syllable to RPi? Wed, 30 May 2012 00:11:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (zima) Comments