About eduStar.
Time and time again we hear from parents thinking that the sheer volume of software in eduSTAR is phenominal, making it a bargain to purchase a laptop through a school. CRTs also frequently comment that they can't get department laptops and therefore can't get all the eduSTAR software. Well, except in the case of a couple discontinued items, it's simply not true.
Many people don't realise what eduSTAR actually is. In essence it's a batch-installer disk image containing Microsoft Windows 7 and a host of other applications pre-installed. Almost none of it is "eduSTAR" in a strict sense, they are just programs available elsewhere. The only unique feature of eduSTAR as a package is the User Interface to access all of these programs. Everything else you can either purchase individually or download completely free.
Many people are unaware that out of the more than 80 programs advertised to make eduSTAR sound impressive, 44 of them are free software downloads available from the internet. Many more are basic programs installed with Microsoft Windows or are free products from Microsoft available for download if you own a copy of Windows.
Note: As the vast majority of teacher laptops in Vic using EduStar are windows based, this is what we will be covering here. We apologise to Mac owners but we feel we just can't comment on it with authority without getting our hands on a Mac with Edustar installed on it.
Note: As the vast majority of teacher laptops in Vic using EduStar are windows based, this is what we will be covering here. We apologise to Mac owners but we feel we just can't comment on it with authority without getting our hands on a Mac with Edustar installed on it.
This means that even though you can't get eduSTAR from the department to put on your own computer there is nothing to stop you from having 95% of the software contained in it. A lot of it you can get absolutely free. So what we've done is chased down a list of links to all of the free software for you! You can download and install it as you need it.
Why schools won't install eduStar on your personal computer:
So why can't they just install it for you? Like all department laptops in the past it comes with products installed under a licence limiting them to installing it on department computers.
Primarily the "paid for" software on PC laptops comes in various Microsoft products:
- Microsoft Windows.
- Microsoft Office.
- Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium.
and so on.
Software included with eduSTAR:
Below is a link to the Department's eduSTAR software list. This lists all of the software that comes in the eduStar package.
PDF document 4.9 MB
This document contains a brief rundown of each of the programs and has a link to tutorials if they are available.
Below you will find links to all of the free software in that list. These links take you to the Download page for each program.
This document contains a brief rundown of each of the programs and has a link to tutorials if they are available.
Below you will find links to all of the free software in that list. These links take you to the Download page for each program.
Free Microsoft Software:
When you purchase Windows or a computer with Windows on it you get free access to other downloadable Microsoft software.
Microsoft Live! photo gallery, Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Photo gallery and Windows Live Writer are all part of the Windows Live Essentials package:
Other free applications: Alphabetical List.
Debut Video Capture. - Scroll to the bottom to download free.
GameMaker. - Scroll down and download GameMaker 8.1 lite for the free version.
Kahootz - Discontinued software.
Mathmatica Player 7. - This has been replaced by CDF Player. This links to CDF player.
Free Utilities: Alphabetical List.
CutePDF. - Multiple applications this goes to the home page.
Some of this stuff is really worth looking at just to help with your kids at home, let alone getting it because you might need it for work.
Melinda Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Coordinator.
Link list compiled by Pauly the House Nerd.
Hi guys. Just wanted to point out that the edustar build is not limited to Windows. It's available for MacOS also. The software list is similar but not identical. The OS X edustar build comes with the great Apple software such as iMovie, Garageband, Numbers, Keynote & Pages.
ReplyDeleteCan Edustar be installed onto an iPad? Is there a site for instructions on this? Our Techs are claiming it can't be done.
DeleteThanks for the update, much appreciated! I'll get onto adding the OS X list!
Delete@teachITPlatform; After having a dig around, the Techs are correct and there's no Edustar for iPad. We're still waiting on a few replies from emails but it looks like the story won't change once we hear back. If it does we'll comment again!
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