Hi, I feel it is really a great idea to use this platform to figure out valid challenges and opportunities in deploying OSS.
I feel a big challenge that is stopping the OSS from achieving the popularity it deserves is the *Support* issue. I know many will argue that there are enough support in forums and IRC. But lets think from an end-user perspective. Many people even in the capital are not aware of what IRC is and how to get support from forums. Things outside the valley are further worse. One will have to agree that Windows has better support (though unofficial but many people charge a sum but at least solve ur problem) in Nepal than Linux. Its time to arrange support base to the OSS users. I guess MPP or FOSS-Nepal should itself take the initiative. It can be a commercial like the one provided by major distros. Definitely encouraging them to use the resources like IRC and forum should be a key issue. I am sure support will also expand Nepalinux user count. Many people are willing but fear what if this does not work. And I feel talking about moral aspect is not going to be of much help. People will keep on stealing softwares unless they get convinced that OSS are as good as (or better than) the ones they have been using or WTO forces Nepal to stop using illegal softwares. When I say people I mean even people in government quarters. So, we have two options in hand. Either convince and prove the usability of OSS or wait until WTO does something. Need I say, the first option is far better. I hope my conclusions are of some use. -Jitendra Harlalka On Dec 21, 2007 11:35 PM, Shishir Jha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Sure Dai, once we have a good amount of information i will add this to > the wiki. > And thanks for the reply. > > Cheers > > On 12/21/07, Hempal Shrestha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Yap Agreed !!! > > > > Governments' decision relating to IT strategy and policies broadly, and > > in particular to procurement, the setting and adoption of standards, > > investment in technology, and training and skill development can have > > grave consequences for the future well being of their peoples. Hence we > > need to take into consideration various factor, while thinking about > > this issue. Further, there are many Challenges and Opportunities as > > well: Here are some which I would like Subir to add in his presentation > > for the workshop. Although these are very few (both) I will be able to > > add to it during the workshop itself. > > > > > > Opportunities: > > > > 1. It provides a feasible alternative to proprietary software: > > 2. The use of open source software "means that support and maintenance > > can be freely contracted out to a range of suppliers competing on > > quality and low cost for installation, enabling, support, and > > maintenance. > > 3. Free access to public information. > > 4. permanence of public data > > > > > > Challenges: > > > > 1. Building open source business models, > > 2. standardizing software and training software engineers. > > 3. Setting up Open Standards and Open formats > > > > This is from me, Why don't we add it in the wiki?? Shishir? > > > > Cheers!!! > > > > Hempal Shrestha > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Shishir Jha > EPC 1970,GPO 8975, > KTM,NEPAL > > > > -- jitendra harlalka --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ FOSS Nepal mailing list: [email protected] http://groups.google.com/group/foss-nepal To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Community website: http://www.fossnepal.org/ -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
