ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180109
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
If sixth-grader David Fifer had to choose between an Apple Macintosh and an IBM-compatible computer, he would find it easy.
"I like the design of the Macintoshs," he said. "They seem more modern and stylish. They're more user-friendly, and it seems easier to teach someone on a Mac."
Fifer, a student at James Madison Middle School in Roanoke, uses Macintoshs at school and an IBM compatible at the To the Rescue Museum, where he does volunteer work.
He admits he might be partial to Macintosh computers because he grew up using them.
"To get into some things in an IBM, you have to type in little codes. On a Mac, you just click on an icon."
But School Board member John Saunders says the time has come for Roanoke schools to stop buying Apple computers even though many students like them.
He says it's a money issue.
Because of Apple Computers' financial troubles and its declining share of the market, Saunders wants the schools to begin buying IBM or IBM-compatible computers with a Windows operating system.
He said it's "fiscally irresponsible" for the city to keep buying Apple computers when the company's long-term financial viability is in doubt.
The schools might be unable to replace Apple equipment, buy software or other accessories if the computer company "isn't able to sustain itself into the next century," Saunders said.
Saunders has been pressing his argument for several months whenever the board has discussed contracts for computers. But School Superintendent Wayne Harris and his staff had resisted, saying they saw no long-term financial risk in buying Apple computers.
Now, Harris says he agrees in principle with Saunders that the schools should develop a plan for shifting to Windows-compatible computers.
Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations, said Apple's poor sales performance during the Christmas shopping season caused school officials to reassess their position.
Some stock analysts are pessimistic about Apple's long-term prospects, he said.
Harris said he will prepare a transition plan for the schools to gradually switch the kind of instructional computers.
The schools will not attempt to replace their inventory of Macintoshs immediately, but will keep using them until they are outdated or need to be replaced.
Except for some business and vocational courses, most computers in Roanoke's classrooms and computer labs are Macintoshs. The school system's administrative offices use IBMs.
IBM allowed other companies to imitate its computers, and these are called IBM compatibles. The same software can operate on IBM and IBM compatibles. Most compatibles are sold with the Windows operating system installed.
Many school divisions nationwide have favored Apple computers because most educational software and instructional programs were designed for them. The Apple software does not operate on IBM or IBM-compatible computers.
"Most schools are using Apple in instruction and [IBM] PCs in administrative services," said Herb Cottrill of the Virginia School Boards Association. "Apple had a big head start in educational software and most schools are using it."
Cottrill said he hadn't heard of any other school division that has decided to stop buying Apple computers because of the company's financial troubles and declining market share.
But Jane James, associate director of instructional technology for Roanoke County schools, said she's monitoring Apple's financial situation and will consider it when the county buys more computers.
"We're studying the issue, but we haven't made a decision on whether it would affect what we buy," she said.
County elementary teachers prefer Macintoshs, James said. The county has Macintosh computers in elementary and middle schools with IBMs in business and vocational courses in high schools.
In recent years, many educational programs have been developed that will operate on both Apple and IBM computers, she said. "It's not as big of an issue now as it was."
Botetourt County has Macintoshs in elementary schools and IBMs in high schools.
"When we begin replacing elementary computers, we will look at [Apple's prospects]," said G.G. Jones, assistant superintendent for curriculum in Botetourt. "It's not a problem now, but Apple has more programs at the elementary level."
Franklin County has a mixture of Macintoshs and IBM compatibles in its schools. Many elementary schools have Macintoshs, but some use IBMs, said Lee Cheatham, business manager for county schools.
Franklin County's new technology center will have mostly IBMs, but there will be some Apple computers. "We are not closing the door to Apple," he said.
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