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Macs are so popular with the schools is that they get new Macs from the various bailouts by the Fed (can't have Apple go under, otherwise Windows will have a very real monopoly...so every few years the government spends a few hundred million dollars on new Apple computers). However when it comes to PCs a lot of them are second hand from other government agencies (DoD, IRS...), so by the time the schools get them the hardware is already 4 or 5 years old.






This fact is indeed true. I have seen it in action. The school system where my wife teaches has at least 3 3D powerful MAC's in each classroom. The PC's are very sad in power. Apple also has a very aggressive educational initiative where schools can purchase a MAC for very cheap, much cheaper than a PC. The school system my kids are in bought 1000 MAC's for $100 per machine. These MAC's are 3D ready. To dumb ole me, all the more reason to look for a MAC 3D development solution.

I agree that when a big institution is going to buy an educational software license for $5,000. and up, it should be able to run on the widest varitey of hardware. These deals are hard to get for an indie, most of us indies lack the brick and motar of an company, that goverment buyers like to see. My thought for sales would be in the onesy twosy style. Maybe sell direct a total of 5000 units at 20 bucks a crack, this is still 100K in revenue.

You can reach teachers very cheaply with targeted advertising.

2D vs 3D, 2D is expensive in artist time. 2D animation costs more than 3D animation. I have seen very few educational games that capture the kids imagination, and the attention of an educational buyer, that was done with FLASH. The kids are exposed to Console games at home so when the kids get to school and play a flat 2D game it not as cool an experience.

Schools genrally are hurting for money, but educational software that addresses national standards is very much in demand. Teachers will share use of a 3D capable computer if the software satisfies a national education standard, Media Centers seem to have the latest hardware. Each class can schedule time in the Media center.

There are alot of ways to skin this beast. By coding for the lowest common demonatior you create extra sales. I just feel that is part of the problem, dumbing down the experience. A couple 100 million buys alot of MAC's that have very little software that runs on them. This smells like oppurtunity to me.

Now, I am trying to find a good MAC 3D development environment that is as good as 3DGS.

Ken