Im not really sure what you are referring to as incompatible but,
my son did his work on a ubuntu os laptop and my wife and son
now do their college work on linux.

If you are talking about writing a paper in open office, then we
arent talking compatibility but file extension.

When you click save, down where you write the name of the file,
under it is the extension, just choose MS Word .doc ext.

Years ago I took an online college course using Xandros and used the Windows
version of Netscape running their free Crossover. Perhaps it's the ability to
log on to their secure servers? Also it could be a Wi-Fi problem or printer
printing problem.
The local Girls & Boys Club make Linux computers free for kids, but I don't know
how popular they are. Maybe MintPPC on top of DebianPPC will make all those old
Macs popular for kids, since Apple's Safari Extensions aren't available for
Tiger OSX.

You just may have hit the nail on the head. I noticed Joan's response,
but have never had a problem logging onto a secure server. Even logging
into my employer's computers to check my e-mail at work. And that
requires a double password, one from my electronic tether.

As you may well surmise, I am not a geek as far as Linux goes. I was
thrilled that it was so simple to install (by burning an ISO file on a
CD and then booting it) and is so easy to use. It really seems quite
simple, even to an old fuddy-duddy like myself (64 years old and almost
ready to choose the health plan when I turn 65 in not many months. I
tell everyone I'm only 40 - neglecting, of course, to mention that
number is in hexadecimal LOL.

I'll check as I do have Open Office.

My only regret is not having heard of this group earlier. Thanks a
million for the responses. What a great start to a new year!

There are many possibilities, depending on the precise situation. It could
be as simple as a file format or as complicated as a standard which is not
really a standard. Microsoft ilkes to play with standards to keep the
competition off guard. There is no even playing field.

It could also involve proprietary technology. When I wanted to process
hundreds of photos last year at a local photolab, I could not because the
lab used Silverlight instead of cross platform technology. (Before anyone
corrects me, I know about Moonlight, but refuse to install it on principle.)

My point is that there are many barriers and we cannot generalize. If you
use a Mac then you could face similar problems, so it is not specific to
Linux. Everything is skewed towards Windows and ignorant techies in
education may not even be aware that it does not have to be that way.

Need more info about exactly doesn't work now that worked in the past.

You recall the computer that I managed to salvage for my neighbor.
Ubuntu got it running fine and her kids love it. Unfortunately, she
claims it is incompatible with her youngest two doing their homework for
school. Her oldest is in the process of becoming a lawyer and her
second oldest is at the University of Buffalo. I don't know if they
have a problem or not; they all do like the Ubuntu system, but ...

I suspect that Wade may have hit upon the problem using Open Office.
I'll check with her tomorrow (assuming that they didn't party too hearty
this evening - I quit that over a decade ago LOL).

There's no escape - I am everywhere

Wonder if the problem is MS Publisher that's the problem. If the
school uses this then unfortunately only MS Office has this and that
only runs on Windows reliably. Anything else is probably fixable when
we know what the problem is.

There are a few web plugins used that require activeX in your browser for
some features. That is Internet explorer specific. It could be something
like that...

Welcome. Likely as not the problems stem from Macros. The only problem
I can be sure of is educators are alway right, even if the only reason
they are, is they are to lazy to learn something new.

They cite that they only use Microsoft products because industry demands
it. Problem with that statement is industry is looking for alternatives
to License costs. They only stick with Microsoft because the educators
don't teach the options.

The Library system in Yuma was given some computers by Microsoft. Policy
no longer allows the work I was doing to promote Linux. Can you guess
why? Then of course Oracle removed distributor privileges to distribute
the old Sun Java so closed source, is closed source, and all closed
source should be avoided at all costs.

Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Make your voice heard for Freedom! If Higher
Learning feels they can't receive a large number of students because of
closed source policy, they may quickly change. As it sits today, you
have to be in a waiting line for some classes. Let the institution you
are considering know you can wait longer, if it is required, to change
the world for a better future.

I don't think this is out of the ordinary. Ever since I have been around,
education is well behind the curve, not only with respect to computers.
They prepare students for yesterday. I say this as an educator (retired)
with over 30 years experience. Most teach as they were taught. If they were
brought up on MS then that is safe and sacred. You could say the same about
literature, why teach someone current and relevant when there is
Shakespeare.

Teachers resist any change. It means more work and most are at wits end
now. They are expected to teach more with less and to produce better
results. Everybody is an expert from parents to adminstrators and most have
never been in a classroom and if they were they would run for their lives.

When I taught we had 286s when 486s came out. Most kids had better
computers at home and had access to the latest hardware. I was the techie
at my school and basically you taught yourself and paid for workshops out
of your own pocket. You got a substitute if you were lucky otherwise the
school had to cover internally.

I do not blame the teachers. The system sucked and it still does. From top
down it is all smoke and mirrors. Try to look good to tax payers by
cutting, make sure the teachers toe the party line and do not talk out of
turn and talk big in terms of intentions but never deliver, unless forced.
I am not bitter. I enjoyed every second as a teacher and count it as one of
life's greatest privileges. I am just telling it like it is.

If you want to make change, and I do, then you have to start with yourself.
Change can be huge because of the way teaching works. You touch thirty or
so lives at any given time and that influence can help or hinder. You
multiply that because each of those will touch many others and you teach
for thirty years and have done the best that you can then you can smile and
know you did well, without anyone having to notice. That is the way it is
supposed to work, but it is the squeaky wheels that drive any machine. They
get the attention and the machine gets pulled this way and that, but it is
all a storm that you know will blow by. A teacher is king or queen in his
or her own classroom, so they tend to ignore all of the bluster and
concentrate on what matters most -- kids.

Every once in a while I meet a former student and I take personal pride in
their achievements and feel their discourgement if things did not turn out
the way they imagined. They are still my kids. Computers and books and
pencils are important, but they are just tools. The best thing you can give
kids is be good people and challenge them to be critical thinkers. The rest
is beyond your control.