Here is another interesting article that mentions Linux and Open Source in
the context of helping third-world countries develop their IT capabilities.
It appears that the key obstacle to Linux/Open Source being used
successfully in the third world is tech support (or, here, lack thereof).
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/fastforward/0,15704,630827,00.html
Significant pargraph:
Bridges is now conducting a study comparing open-source software like Linux
with proprietary software for community-access computer labs and Internet
cafes. It is assessing the total cost of ownership-doing what Peters calls a
"reality check." While the report is not complete and she says they aim not
to take sides in a commercial competition, "today's realities indicate that
proprietary software is more suitable for most of these labs. Technical
support is the absolute deal killer. The tech support is just not there for
open source." While she says most African governments are feeling pressure
to move to the "free" open source, most projects will fail because, for now,
there is simply no technical support in Africa for desktop Linux. (People
aren't having as much trouble with Linux for server installations, she
says.) Microsoft, on the other hand, which is the de facto supplier of
proprietary alternatives, has a well-developed support infrastructure in
many places.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Canaday" <bill13510@wwnet.net>
To: <slug@nks.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 11:32 PM
Subject: [SLUG] woo hoo!
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/28/internet.spam.ap/index.html
>
> Four Detroit area spammers charged with violation of can-spam law.
>
> Bill
> - --
> http://cannaday.us (genealogy)
> http://organic-earth.com (organic gardening)
> Uptimes below for the machines that created / host these sites.
> 23:31:01 up 14 days, 7:16, 4 users, load average: 0.50, 0.58, 0.33
> 23:25:00 up 115 days, 2:37, 1 user, load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)
>
> iD8DBQFAkHdNSvjcx4uv21sRApy2AJ42DjnRJUadj3QnIaV5F5aCunHBzwCggaLn
> hg4zj0Gi3ey5gDJtxMBPMvQ=
> =V4UX
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked
> Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages
> posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
> official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked
Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages
posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Fri Aug 01 2014 - 17:00:37 EDT