Re: Do schools still use Apple // computers?

[Jack Friess <jfriess@wctc.net>]

Scott G. <pubpc1@library.ucla.edu> wrote in respose to Tom "Cowgod" 
Greene <cowgod@rockpile.com> comments about schools removing Apple II 
computers:

> Bunch of know nothing administrators!  How dare they trash valuable
> hardware when many students don't even have typewriters?  Those stupid
> fools.  Makes me sick to my stomach.
> 
> A good //e running AppleWorks is more valuable that 10 new typewriters
> combined, in my opinion.  At least they had the mind to donate SOME of
> their II machines to another school.

You're "preaching to the converted".  Have you talked to your local 
school board or superintendent lately about this?  How 'bout the 
Technology/Computer Consultant/Coordinator at you school 
system--public and private.  Heck, if you spend 10 minutes writing to 
this news group, just send a email copy to each of those folks.  
Better yet, volunteer for you local school--take an Apple II with you 
and show a teacher what it will do.  If you get the teachers using 
them (for keyboarding, emailing, text-based internet searches, etc.) 
you'll never see an administrator pulling them out.  The problem is, 
the administrator walks into the classroom (or storage area) and sees 
all this antique equipment taking up valuable space and asks (because 
s/he really doesn't know): "What are these things are doing here, 
aren't they used anymore?"  If _you_ don't tell him/er that they are 
valuable and can be used for high tech eduactional experiences (or to 
free up their Pentium heart-throbs), then they will just get thrown 
out.  Don't blam them for not knowing--teach them....

Jack Friess
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA