The Oregonian: For Schools, it's Microsoft's Way or the Free Way

"'Microsoft has put the inventory request on hold,' said Catherine Brooker, a company spokesman. 'Microsoft realized it wasn't as sensitive as it could have been with the timing of its request.'

"How long the hold is on, however, is unclear. Steve Carlson, the associate superintendent for information and technology for Beaverton schools, said Microsoft has put nothing in writing: 'We don't know what to believe.'

"What became clear after I wrote about the audits April 21 was that Microsoft wasn't simply picking on cash-strapped school districts in the Northwest. Terry Hippenhammer of Puget Sound ESD, said schools in 35 states have been audited. Annoyed tech coordinators in Iowa, Arkansas, Utah and Philadelphia suggested that Microsoft's licensing tactics were pushing them toward Linux and free, open-source software..."

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• SEUL.org: Linux in Education report #70 for May 13(May 14, 2002)
• USA Today: Two on How Microsoft's Licensing Practices are Benefiting Open Source(May 13, 2002)
• Red Hat Sees Education as Long-Term Investment(May 09, 2002)
• The Register: Preinstalled Windows Illegal to Remove? (Apr 30, 2002)
• The Oregonian: Microsoft Puts the Squeeze on NW Schools(Apr 23, 2002)