I recently posted in DITG mailing list to encourage people to use Linux and
free software. Here I would like to take my step toward this new approach to
our Tibetan community by making awareness on Open source and their
advantages on viruses, malware, spyware and offcourse on China spy network.
I like to share some benefit of using Linux and free software. This has much
more profitable over Windows.
A user who receives a copy of free software has the following four freedoms:
*1. The freedom to run the program for any purpose.*
*2. The freedom to study and modify the program.*
*3. The freedom to copy the program so you can help your neighbour.*
*4. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the
public, so that the whole community benefits*
Richard Stallman: *"Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To
understand the concept, you should think of 'free' as in 'free speech', not
as in 'free beer'*.
I learned the success story of India's Kerala state for encouraging open
source or linux in their state and their counting on open-source software to
boost its IT literacy rate and various Open Source Initiatives have been
taken by NIC kerala for effective use of open source for online
applications. Now Tamil Naidu state is also diverting their way to open
source and they embarked on a plan in January to put Linux in government
offices, schools and villages, is making progress.
Our prime minister prof. Samdhong Rinpoche comments in the AP story said,
"Digital security is expensive and difficult job" Yeah, surely it is
expensive if the TGIE is to buy legit Windows licenses + legit software for
all its computers but I would rather said it is not an expensive.
Tibetan Offices and Schools can derive huge cost reduction and gain
flexibility by using Free Open Source Software (FOSS) tools. Here are some
FOSS 'equivalent software' for common use and the associated cost reduction
possible.
*Description*
*Windows Application*
*Linux Application*
*Savings*
*1. Operating System*
Microsoft Windows
RS - 7000
LINUX
Rs - Zero
*Rs - 7000*
*2. Security: For this purpose one has to use any antivirus*.
i) Norton/ McAfee Antivirus, ClamWin, AVG Antivirus
Rs - 5600
Avast Home for Linux users
Rs - Zero
*Rs - 5600*
*3. Scientific application:*
i) Tools required for computer algebra
ii) Tools required for numerical computing
iii) Tools required for statistical analysis
iv) Verilog simulator for circuit simulations.
v) Electronic Design Automation tools
i) Maple, Mathematica
Rs-20000.00
ii) MATLAB
Rs-100000.00
iii) SPSS, Stata,EViews
Rs-8800.00
iv) Verilog
Rs-39800.00
v) Pspice
Rs-8000.00
i) Maxima, Axiom,Sympy
Rs-Zero
ii) Octave,Scilab
Rs-Zero
iii) R-project,PSPP,S-Plus Rs-Zero
iv) Iverilog
Rs-Zero
v) GEDA Rs-Zero
* *
*Rs.20000*
* *
*Rs.100000*
* *
*Rs. 8800*
* *
*Rs. 39800*
* *
*Rs.8000*
*4. Office Tools*
Microsoft Office Packages Rs. 9160
Open Office, KOffice, Siag Office
Rs. Zero
*Rs. 9160*
*5. Multimedia*
i) Image editing softwares
ii) Media and Music Players
i) Adobe Photoshop
Rs - 13960
Coral Draw, Coral Designer Rs. 6800
ii) Windows Media Player, Power DVD, Sonique Rs - 798
i) GIMP Rs. Zero
Inkscape Rs. zero
ii) MPlayer, Xine, Totem, Kaffeine, VLC
Rs. Zero
*Rs. 13960*
* *
*Rs. 6800*
* *
*Rs. 798*
*6. Utilities:*
i) CD writing tools
ii) Backup Tools
iii) Disk Manager
i) Easy CD Creator, Nero Burning ROM
Rs. 1200
ii) Veritas Backup Exec Cobian Backup, Norton ghost Rs. 2800
iii) Norton Partition Magic Rs. 2459
i) Arson, Eroaster, gcombust, K3b, XCDRoast Rs. Zero
ii) BackupPC, Bacula, Amanda, Veritas etbackup Rs. Zero
iii) QTparted, Gparted
Rs. Zero
* *
*Rs.1200*
* *
*Rs.2800*
* *
* *
*Rs.2459*
*7. Publication Tools:*
i) Ventura, Cord
Rs. 25000
i) Scribus, latex
Rs.Zero
*Rs.25000*
If all above tools are used then the total cost reduction per computer is =
Rs. 251377
Some common scenarios: If an institute uses the following tools: MS Windows,
MS Office, MATLAB, Nero, Norton GHOST, SPSS and Norton Antivirus then the
total possible cost reduction by Switching to LINUX based tools is:
7000+9160+100000+1200+2800+8800+5600 = 134560 INR per computer
If the school or organisation has a lab with 50 computers then the total
cost reduction would be = 134560 * 50 = Rs.6728000
By using such software an educational institute not only saves lots of money
in license fees but it also brings lots of other advantages too. some of
these are:
1. You are not bound by restrictive licenses of proprietary softwares.
2. By using thin clients you need only buy minimum hardware leading to
substantial saving in costs.
3. Many of the Linux distribution support old hardware with less resource.
this means that you can still use the old Pentiums available in your Labs
with low RAM too. you don't always need very high end machines. see the Linux
Thin Client project on how to use even Pentium 1 Machines with 8 GB hard
drives as effective terminals.
4. You have a huge freedom of choice.
5. Computer Assisted Learning improves student learning.
Special distributions for educational purposes like Edubuntu are also
available at www.edubuntu.org and other such as
www.ofset.org/freeduc-cd(live CD for primary schools)
Phuntsok la you must initiate Free Open Source Software to TCV schools. I
hope you will consider on the above cost reduction and flexibility by using
FOSS tools.
Thanks
Tashi Samphel
New Delhi
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