http://tb133.k12.sd.us/Test/Welcome.html

I posed this question to Dan Iverson, a graduate of WHS who works in the “real” world of computing. This is how he responded:

Hi Scott

There are couple of different ways I would address the statement that the “real world” uses PCs.

First, the number one selling piece of business software is Microsoft Office. MS Office is also the best selling software for Mac’s too. Microsoft ensures that the Windows and Mac versions of the MS Office are compatible so that users can choose a platform to use without fear of incompatibility issues. While there are minor User Interface differences, the software functions the same, is feature comparable, and the skills learned on the Mac version of MS Office match what you would learn if using MS Office for Windows.

On a personal note, I have been using a Mac full-time at work for four years. I write quite a bit of documentation and use MS Word for all of it and have had no issues. Additionally, many of my coworkers are opting to get rid of their ThinkPads and have purchased Mac’s to use for work.

Second, the “real world” and business is moving to the web. All major business software is deploying their software as a web-based solution for a couple of reasons: no client software to maintain, cheaper to deploy, and it is platform agnostic. If you also look at Google, Microsoft and other large web companies, they all ensure that their products work on all major web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera). Macs run three of the four major web browsers. Also, the three web browsers that run on Macs are far more secure than Internet Explorer, which is a Windows-only browser. With the trend of computing moving towards the web, the underlying operating system becomes more irrelevant.

Third, I would ask what Window’s specific technology does WHS plan to teach students to use? Unless students are learning COM programming, or other intensive technical aspects of Windows, there is almost nothing they can learn by using a Windows PD that they wouldn’t learn using a Mac. For example, in graphic design, students can learn a piece of software but an important idea they should be learning is the difference between vector and pixel based graphics. The concepts students learn are not platform dependent.

What students should be learning is ethical use of computers, how technology can augment their learning (not replace it) and the importance of social engineering awareness (which is becoming extremely important). When students get a job that requires them to use a program, most employers train their new employees on that piece of software. Outside of MS Office, students would never have the opportunity use business specific software (like Oracle, PeopleSoft, Lawson, and many others).

Finally, there are myriad other benefits to Macs that Windows-based PC can’t offer. The risk of virus, worm, exploits on Macs are substantially lower than on Windows machines. These problems do exist, but not to the degree they exist for Windows machines. Macs are built better and will last longer. My parents use a 4 year old PowerBook I gave them. My little sister is hard on the machine, and it has held up well. I believe the long-term ROI on using Macs is far better than Windows-based PCs. The initial sticker price may be higher, but over the term of the program the maintenance and repair costs will be lower.

Hope this helps you out! I’d love to see the school district make the switch. There isn’t a day that I wish I wasn’t using a Mac.

dan