Letter to Elon Musk, in summary. Click link for actual letter.
The letter urges Elon Musk to leverage the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reform public education by replacing costly, fragile Windows laptops with decommissioned rugged laptops running Linux. It highlights Linux’s cost-efficiency, flexibility, and reliability, as used by Musk’s companies (Tesla, xAI, SpaceX). Key points:
Cost Savings: Windows licenses and Office cost schools $100-$150 per device annually, plus antivirus and IT expenses. A 10,000-student district spends $1M yearly. Rugged surplus laptops ($200 each) with free Linux software (e.g., LibreOffice, DaVinci Resolve) save $3M upfront and eliminate licensing fees.
Durability: Rugged laptops are tamper-resistant, reducing repair/replacement costs compared to fragile $500-$1,000 Windows laptops.
Educational Benefits: Linux distros tailored for education minimize distractions, encourage coding, and foster creativity, unlike Windows’ bloated, privacy-invasive systems.
Proposal: A DOGE pilot program could implement Linux-based systems, guided by teacher feedback, reserving Windows/OS X for niche classes (e.g., Adobe design). Savings could fund essential school supplies and reduce teacher burdens.
Posted by CwA7DAAK on 2025-05-13 15:03:57