On 13 Oct 2002, Tathagata Banerjee wrote:
> on the other hand, things may not be as simple as they seem... My short conversation with Dr. Ashock Jhunjhunwala was to try to convince him that 'price' was not the most important issue, and that freedom should be the focus on his project. Getting liberated tools into the hands of rural India was much more important than providing lower cost tools. This conversation is not easy. The occupation of Software Manufacturing in ICT is similar to other occupations in the past. When the discussion of India's independence came forward, many counter arguments were offered (both by Indians and others) suggesting that India was better off under occupation. These same arguments are being used in the discussion of ICT tools, and we need to fight the arguments in the same way. Getting a "better deal" with the occupying force should not be considered a valid compromise : independence should be the only goal. It is important to realize that with Free Software (Software Libre in some countries) that a lower cost is an 'interesting side effect' of Free Market competition in software, it is not the goal. If you tie projects to secondary effects rather than the purpose of Free Software, then projects can be subverted far too easily. There are reasons for India to participate in and promote Free Software, even if the actual cost were higher (IE: if Microsoft PAID the Indian government to use Microsoft products, they should still not be used). --- Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> See http://weblog.flora.ca/ for announcements, activities, and opinions Speaking next in Toronto: Rabble Rumble on Digital Copyright Reform http://www.digital-copyright.ca/discuss/all?subject=Rabble -- To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the body "unsubscribe ilug-cal" and an empty subject line. FAQ: http://www.ilug-cal.org/help/faq_list.html
