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Interview by Lars Kongshem Scott G. McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems, plans to free schools from the expense and hassle of maintaining PCs. Here, he talks about network computing, free software, and why the only windows in his home are made of glass. Q: How does Sun's motto, "The Network is the Computer," play out in a school setting?
A: In schools, as in business, the focus has shifted from what's on your computer to what's on the network. You should be able to access the latest materials from any system, wherever you are—in the classroom or at home, doing your homework or preparing a lesson plan. Whether you're a student or a teacher, the network should be your computer. Best of all, it's a cheaper and less complex model than trying to update each individual computer. Q: You've called Windows a "technological hairball." Why do you believe Sun's vision for K–12 computing offers a better alternative?
A: Wouldn't it be great if we could take the thousands of hours and millions of dollars spent on managing the complexity of computers and paying for software licenses and instead invest it in our most needy students and teachers? What if, instead of buying a lot of hardware and software and hiring an army of technicians to maintain it all, schools could get online resources the same way they get electricity or tap water—from a service provider? We believe this model will enable schools and school districts to expedite the deployment of new teaching tools while reducing overall costs. Imagine that. Q: The thin-client computing model has been around since the mid-to-late 1990s. Why do you think it hasn't been more widely adopted in schools?
A: I don't think many schools realize there's an alternative. Our Sun Ray systems are perfect for schools, because any student can walk up to any system and bring up his or her personal desktop, just like that. The system itself is just a display with a keyboard and mouse. Simple, cheap, and easy to replace if it ever breaks. The real work is done on a server in the backroom, which is much easier to manage. Would you rather update software on one server or on dozens of separate, self-contained PCs? Systems like the Sun Ray are part of a new definition of mobility, where you don't have to carry a computer with you anymore because you can access your stuff from any system, anywhere, anytime. Did you take a TV with you on your last trip? No, because they're everywhere. Q: Some schools are looking into Linux as a low-cost alternative to Windows. What is Sun's Linux strategy for the K–12 market?
A: Linux is an appealing alternative for schools and a key component within Sun's overall strategy of meeting the needs of the K–12 market. Sun's Linux systems, both servers and desktops, address the issue of providing a low-cost alternative to Windows' complex software upgrade and licensing policies. Sun's strategy is focused on providing simplicity and additional value to schools so that IT budgets can be made more efficient and limited resources can be allocated to the classroom—and that means offering choice. Sun provides schools with cost-effective solutions such as Linux and Solaris running on the Intel x86 architecture. Sun also delivers a completely integrated system with lots of powerful software. The software we include, such as StarOffice and Sun ONE components including the application server and web server, allow schools to get to work right away on the Net. Q: Sun's StarOffice productivity suite is fast becoming the only real alternative to Microsoft Office. Why did Sun decide to offer this software to schools at no charge?
A: Because we believe there should be an alternative. Competition is what spurs innovation and keeps prices down. Educators should be spending as much of their budget as they can on educating—not on overpriced software with a million features you never use. Q: How would you respond to those who say Microsoft's market dominance has ensured greater compatibility and lower prices through economies of scale?
A: Compatibility with what—other Microsoft products? StarOffice runs on Linux, Solaris, and Windows. The most expensive part of any PC has got to be the Microsoft software. Microsoft may enjoy economies of scale, but the savings go into its $40 billion bank account, not yours. Q: Do you think schools are getting a good return on their technology investment? How can schools help improve the ROI on instructional technology?
A: Overall, I feel schools could better utilize the more cost-effective solutions that are out there, but many school leaders aren't aware of the alternatives. Generally speaking, though, K–12 schools shouldn't be in the technology business any more than they should be in the telephone business or the electricity-generating business. The service-provider model makes a lot of sense for schools. Two big steps are to reduce cost and complexity. Then deliver mobility with security. Mobility is much bigger than wireless. Mobility is about students being able to walk up to any computer on the campus and have secure access to their virtual desktop and information, just as they last left it. Q: Sun helped launch the NetDay project to wire classrooms in 1996. Now that most U.S. schools are wired, what is the next step?
A: The next step is to develop top-quality interactive, Web-based learning programs. But how do we get there? Individual schools can't create them—their budgets are stretched to the limit as it is—and there are few market incentives for software developers to tackle the job. One role for government could be funding the development of Web-based programs and investing in the infrastructure to support them. Then effective resources—resources proven to help students—could be posted on the Internet for all schools to use. That would ensure that any student, or any teacher, could access the best educational content anytime, anywhere, using any Web-enabled device. Q: What role do you foresee networked computers playing in the classroom 10 years from now?
A: Networked computers have the capacity to enhance learning with up-to-the-minute information, multimedia presentations, and interactive, self-paced courses. It's a great way for the most effective teachers to reach a wider audience, so that more students—and other teachers—can benefit. Q: How do your own children interact with computers? Do you let them use Windows?
A: A lot of parents seem to want their kids to be "computer literate." I don't want my kids to learn about computers; I want them to learn from computers. From the network, really. As users, we shouldn't know nor care whether the device we're using is running Windows or Solaris or Linux, any more than we care what operating system is on our cell phone. That said, the only windows in our house are made of glass. Q: In your view, what has been the single most important innovation in computing thus far?
A: I think I'd have to go with TCP/IP, the Internet protocol stack. Without that, we'd have a lot of different computers that couldn't communicate with each other. Q: How should school administrators be thinking about information technology today in order to best position schools for the future?
A: The focus should be on the network and the resources it can provide for everyone in the school community. Make sure that the technology you employ is based on open Internet standards. That way you'll never be locked in to a single technology provider. Instead, you'll be ensuring seamless communication while encouraging competition and innovation. Lars Kongshem is the senior editor of Scholastic Administr@tor. Reproduced with permission from the March 2003 issue of Scholastic Administr@tor. Copyright 2003, Scholastic Inc.  Back to top
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