[Textbook-l] Introduction - California Open Source Textbook Project

[Sanford Forte]

> Isn't it true that legislation isn't really necessary in order for
> GNU-free texts to compete directly with proprietary texts?  I mean, if
> we can produce a product that meets the CA standards, and print it for
> say 2/3s the cost of the competitors, then for their own reasons,
> various districts will be inclined to buy ours rather than the
> proprietary stuff?  What legislation is really needed, then?
---------
One thing I forgot to mention is that I hadn't considered that someone like
wikipedia could take this on as a pilot. Right now, the constraining factor
is proof that it can be done. So, if wikipedia can pull this off, it's a
godsend.

I spoke to a state legislator last week who claimed that the best way to get
the state to pay attention to something like this was to do a pilot; if
possible, in conjunction with the state's knowledge. Thus, if the pilot
happens, and is completed, *and* we have someone inside the bureaucacy
saying "these people can deliver", it will mean a lot.

So, once you've decided (if you decide) to take this on, I will connect with
some 'state' people (all this will be copied to wikipedia, in an open
process) and start looking for one, or more 'champions' to take up our cause
inside the bureaucracy.

San




> > Relative to open source, the one constraint in K-12 is that there *are*
> > frameworks standards to be met.
>
> Well, that actually makes our job easier, as it eliminates a lot of
> the time-consuming debates we would otherwise have about what "ought"
> to go into a 9th grade American History book.  The more detailed the
> standard, then the easier it will be for us to simply work to meet the
> standard.
>
> Our wiki development model works best when there's an easy "yes/no"
> answer as to whether something belongs or not.
>
> > I would suggest reading the project plan - it's not that long - and then
> > going from there. I've spent a lot of time in the state sytem lobbying
this
> > project. In another life, I worked with several major textbook
publishers,
> > so I have some insight into how they work, and how the system works.
>
> Can you fill us in more on what, exactly, you've been lobbying for?
>
> > I would start by taking a look at the math frameworks
> > http://www.cde.ca.gov/cdepress/math.pdf
>
> Math is a little harder for us than some other things, just because of
> the constraints of the web and our wiki software.  We're best with
> text, like a history book.  There should also be a lot of re-usability
> for our existing wikipedia content.
>
> On the other hand, we probably have a higher 'brain power' in areas
> of sciene and math and computers, just because of the sort of people
> who we have working on the project for the most part.
>
> > Well put. Mostly, the publishers 'pay attention' to the curriculum
> > frameworks of three states - California, Florida, and Texas. Their hope
is
> > that they will get one, or more of those three states, make their
> > cost-of-goods' break even, and sell to the other states (most of which
are
> > followers, with a few exceptions) - that's where the profit is made.
>
> Good information!  I had already found the California and Florida
> websites, I will look for the California website.
>
> > Absolutely; if you guys can pull that off, millions, maybe billions of
other
> > people would be forever in your debt.(I'm not exaggerating this #, as
there
> > is a great need for K-12 books/content  written in English for places
like
> > China, India, etc.).
>
> Hey, that's what we're all about: World Domination.  Fast.  :-)
>
> --Jimbo
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