University of Wollongong Liberal Club

Once again, the NSW government has resorted to spin over reality. Splashing out with nearly 100 million dollars software and wireless networking. On the face of it, who could argue with the expenditure? Clearly, we want to give our next future leaders exposure in ICT and the skills and productivity gains that are likely to result in the next generation of jobs that are likely to emerge.

However, it is when one begins to look a little closer, that cracks begin to emerge in the governments thinking and the spinning really begins.

Starting with the larger spend for the IBM won contract of $70 million to roll out Aruba based wireless network in 463 government high schools. Wireless technology avoids the more substantial and costly option of cabling the schools for fixed networks, and the plug is that by using Aruba based wireless networks, the laptops can be locked to only connect to the DET not the wider Internet. A supposed deterrent against theft, and perhaps an undeclared deterrent against massively multiplayer online games and other uses that these laptops will no doubt be put to use.

However, even a brief google search shows up that .Consistent across all Aruba solutions, Aruba's "virtual edge" architecture allows low-cost access points at the edge of the network to intelligently tunnel user traffic across an IP transport network to a centrally-located controller. This architecture forms the foundation for Aruba's enterprise wireless LAN and branch office/teleworker solutions.[1].

This seems to suggest that bypassing this .lock. is as simple as purchasing a USB to ETH for anywhere from $17.84 to $79.44 or just as available a USB wireless adapter for $89 to $152. It is a solution that will most likely be picked up a minute after students receive their laptop.

There is also the security aspect of the wireless network to consider, wireless computers and access points broadcast their radio signals beyond the boundaries of the school building, so a level of encryption will be needed. This almost certainly means some sort of trained network administrator to maintain network, software and system updates.

Yet no increase in training has been announced, no extra staff announced. In fact, the wonder is that curricula have not been updated to fully integrate these versatile new tools into the learning environment.

As for the $25.5 million spend on software, while the education cost of the Adobe and Microsoft Office suite is far less than the retail cost of $5,500 per computer quoted. The wonder is, that other open source solutions were not investigated. There are real alternatives that could have been considered.

Spin, lack of transparency, policy made through media releases and lost opportunities seems to be the order of the day in NSW.