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Desktop machines by Elkhart, IN-based Wintergreen Systems running Linspire Linux could end up on 300,000 desks.

Three school districts in Indiana will be the focus of a continuing pilot program that has seen Linux enter school systems throughout the state. Many of the classes in the new pilot schools will have individual machines in place as classes start again in August, according to a press release.

"We're thrilled that a desktop Linux solution is being evaluated in Indiana with such success, and we're confident that other school systems will look to this deployment as an example for their own classrooms," said Kevin Carmony, president and CEO of.Linspire, Inc, in a statement.

Education and computing used to be synonymous with Apple. At a time when Apple machines were much more known for being dominant in certain niches, schools and universities had them in their shared labs.

Microsoft began targeting the education market, and being part of a lower cost PC platform helped them supplant Apple in a lot of educational facilities. But schools have always had to make tough budget choices, and it appears another computing option may push Microsoft out of some classrooms.

As long as teachers can effectively deliver lessons and complement their teaching plans, and students can navigate the systems, Linux should continue to find acceptance in the education market.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.