The greatest impediment to providing computer for every student is the cost. Some recent pilot programs and advances in online software (thanks to the emergence of Web 2.0) are beginning to show us some possible solutions. Although these are in early stages, they could be a sign of what is to come.

OpenOffice has been around since the mid-80s (under the name StarOffice) and provides a free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. While pundits will point out that the software is not as fully-featured as its big business competitors, let us remember that most students will never need, nor learn how, to use those features. OpenOffice does have the features they are more likely to use, i.e. spell checker, mail merge, columns, etc. What's more it has the ability to directly create PDF files. Many times it is best to keep the software simple.

Recently, other web-based versions of software have popped up as well. Writely is an online word processor with basic features and online storage of files. Similar is Google Spreadsheets for Excel-like workbooks. Both have enough features to ge the job done and allow for online collaboration - also perfect for travelers. Just think - no more students forgetting their homework or disk at home because they can access it from anywhere.

Another step forward is ThinkFree Office. ThinkFree has created a complete office suite online with word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software. What's more, when the user logs in, a "webtop" appears where all files and uses many of the same concepts that a desktop software would. Version histories are stored and the suite even allows the creation of static webpages from any document so it can easily be mixed in with a class website or blog.

In a bold step, students in Upstate New York school districts are part of a pilot program aiming at providing 1:1 access to computers for its students. One major mode of accomplishing this is to load laptops with Linux and OpenOffice. Linux typically has lighter hardware requirements than Windows meaning it can be used on less powerful or older machines. There are also many different builds including Edubuntu, which was specially designed for school-aged children or Xubuntu, made for older machines.

These initiatives are a promising sign of lower cost, or even pay-as-you-go, software. The next step may be office software designed for classroom use, or classroom software. Let's face it, most of the features in Word and Excel are simply too advanced for and beyond the scope of an elementary school classroom. But, a different build of a software like OpenOffice would allow or a more usable platform for schools.

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