Hi Tim, Thanks for the article. I am very much aware of the position of OSS in Sri Lanka, and I feel that it is time to push the concept of FOSS as the e-government and e-Lanka initiatives are to be implemented soon. The SL government has signed an MOU with Microsoft Corporation and the ministry of Education also went for MS solution. However thankfully, the MOU does not bar the use of OSS anywhere.
I was the only proponent of OSS for health care in SL, until a few others joined me, after being convinced. It is a difficult task, and I wonder if OSS will be taken seriously by government or even be considered a threat, as little or no money will change hands. I see little support from funding agencies. Sri Lanka also has very lax laws relating to the use of software and therefore has become a paradise for pirated software. One can buy Windows XP and Office XP porfessional for less than US$ 2 and use it! Under such a scenario OSS makes even less sense. Tighter laws and regulations related to pirating (which affects local software produces as well) are expected as this has been one of the demands of Microsoft Corporation. Strangely such regulation and punishment, may give the biggest boost to FOSS over here! The cost of proprietary software even at half the price in USA will be impossibel for majority of uses to afford. Nandalal ----- Original Message ----- From: Tim Churches <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 19 Feb 2004 09:35:30 +1100 To: "openhealth-list @ minoru-development . com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: From Sweden: Open source in developing countries > This report, commissioned by the Swedish govt development agency (and > referenced by the IOSN site) is useful: > > http://www.sida.se/Sida/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1250&a=23955 > > Nothing startling, but a nice review of the background and an > examination of open source business models in poor countries, plus some > case studies in Sri Lanka. Nice. One day soon it will be possible to > produce a health-specific version of such a report. > -- > > Tim C > > PGP/GnuPG Key 1024D/EAF993D0 available from keyservers everywhere > or at http://members.optushome.com.au/tchur/pubkey.asc > Key fingerprint = 8C22 BF76 33BA B3B5 1D5B EB37 7891 46A9 EAF9 93D0 > > << signature.asc >> -- ______________________________________________ Check out the latest SMS services @ http://www.linuxmail.org This allows you to send and receive SMS through your mailbox. Powered by Outblaze
