ShareThisDoes open source software figure into your technology budget process? Do Linux terminal servers figure into the future of education? I've been working on the development of a technology acquisition plan that spans five years and the numbers are higher than what one might expect given the relative cost of today's personal computers.   In education and K-12 education in particular were called on to parse available software and hardware budgets and come up with the best bang for the buck for our taxpayers. As an open source advocate and consultant I frequently hear a litany from educators who seem more intent on training than on truly educating young minds. Open source software levels the playing field for some of our lower income parents and students. It empowers users. Proven technology options like the Linux Terminal Server Project allow inexpensive access to the internet and learning resources.  Can a child acquire all the skills that they need using software like Open Office, Google Docs, and Scribus or do they really need Microsoft Office 2007? Can a child equipped with a Linux thin client acquire the same skills as a child using a Windows equipped notebook computer?