Quoting Derek Smithies <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> Hi,
> thanks for the acknowledgement.
>
> Actually, it was my friend Bruce Ferrell in the US who found this link.
> I have a suspicion he spends every possible waking hour in front of
> a computer.
>
> Anyhow, all that aside.
> Here is the big question.
> In what form and timescale will New Zealand transition to Linux?
Possible scenarios:-
1) Shortly after the next Windows worm / virus / trojan which brings corporate
NZ literally to its knees, there will be a panic-striken effort to fix the
problem. Linux and other Open Source systems and the skills needed to install
and run them will then be in great demand.
2) A gradual movement away from expensive commercial products as the NZ
economy drifts further into the 3rd. world. Yes it _will_ happen unless
something is done pdq to improve the standard of ( particularly science )
education in the population as a whole.
3) The General Public is just beginning to get heartily sick of the ubiquitous
Windows features which allow all manner of exploits. Ordinary folks are just
beginning to see the light. We have a number of people who I would class as
being in that category coming to the 'Fest on Saturday. Please treat them
gently. The next stage is when these people start demanding that their
children get exposed to Linux at school.
> Now, further, Rik wrote::
> > A loud & stimulating noise is required to bring the smarter
> alternatives
> > into view, and this is especially difficult in conservative bastions
> > like (in many ways) New Zealand, & especially
> Canterbury/Christchurch.
> >
> > Getting corporates like Oracle alongside the LUGs is a critical step
> > forward, educationally.
>
>
> So, what are the next steps for us to take?
> Install fests ? Yes, doing that.
>
> Online help systems? Yes doing that via email lists.
> Of some help, but maybe limited cause it can be hard to get started.
> Sadly, some lists have an attitude that is kindly described as
> "combative"
> Other lists (like this one) are good, with minimum flames.
>
> Writing articles for the press/listener?
Yes. Note that the Press has run a number of arts. recently which, while not
extatically extolling Linux, they have been pretty favourable overall.
I'm personally somewhat disappointed that we have not had more registrations
as a result.
> Derek.
> ============================================= ===
> On Wed, 14 Jul 2004, InfoHelp wrote:
>
> > Top find, thanks Derek.
> >
> > Derek Smithies wrote:
> >
> > >Hi
> >
>
><http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3577892&thesection=business&thesubsection=technology&thesecondsubsection=information>
>
> > >
> > >Opening paragraphs::
> > >
> > > NZX - the New Zealand stock exchange - has become the first major
> New
> > >Zealand company to adopt the Oracle 10g database running on Red Hat
> Linux.
> > >
> > >Apart from being able to consolidate 21 databases into one, the new
> NZX
> > >system runs faster, more reliably and at less cost, says the
> company's
> > >tech team.
> > >
> > >One key query - searching the data on historical trades to identify
> > >maximum trade values - has been cut from 36 seconds to 0.03 seconds.
> > >
> > >Derek.
> > >
> > Especially pertinent is this bit:
> >
> > "Few New Zealand organisations have heeded the message so far, despite
>
> > the country's reputation for being both cost conscious and an early
> > adopter of technology.
> >
> > New Zealand's addiction to the Microsoft drug - seemingly low sticker
>
> > price, ready access to people with the necessary skills - means Linux
>
> > adoption seems to be slower in this country than elsewhere, especially
>
> > Asia.
> >
> > Oracle is trying to change that."
> >
> > In a nutshell - point & click, broadcast technology (& the shortfall
> in
> > teacher training) has kids hooked on mainstream decline. A loud &
> > stimulating noise is required to bring the smarter alternatives into
> > view, and this is especially difficult in conservative bastions like
> (in
> > many ways) New Zealand, & especially Canterbury/Christchurch.
> >
> > Getting corporates like Oracle alongside the LUGs is a critical step
> > forward, educationally.
--
Sincerely etc.
Christopher Sawtell
