Using Older Computers in the Classroom

Windows Vista is new operating system by Microsoft.  An operating system is a program that tells the computer how to communicate with all of its parts.  Vista can cost around $200.  A copy must be bought for each computer.  This is too expensive for most school budgets.  Vista also requires the latest hardware in order to operate.  This means that older computer labs cannot run Windows Vista.  However, there is a solution to this problem of running a modern operating system on older computers.  Old or donated computers can still be used effectively in the classroom if the proper operating system and software is used.

The answer to our operating system dilemma is to use a different operating system.  What if we could use a free, powerful operating system with thousands of free programs?  I am using Linux right now to post this article.  Wouldn’t this be cost-effective for our schools?