I've been contemplating on the same issues Cocoy have just presented in this group, particularly on how do I convince my students not to be lured by the "greenner pasture" alibi for going abroad, and not "waste" their talents and efforts for the benefit of the "superpowers" and in the expense of the constantly draining talent pool of our country. I also agree that community based projects not only should be seen as ways to cut costs but also as avenues for a more holistic, morale-booster, people-friendly, and value-integrated experience for everyone. You might be surprised how inspirational these success stories are and it's very sad to know that there are persons (which I don't blame for) who is "blinded"/"ear-plugged" by these. Hats off to Cocoy.
On 5/18/07, Cocoy Dayao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On 05 18, 07, at 1:18 PM, Rogelio Serrano wrote: > > Its not sustainable in the long term. Are there companies who can > build a road network all over Philippines? Thats how I see software. > Thats the UN policy too. Basic infrastructure. You build roads so > people buy cars. You provide free software so people buy computers. > And since we actually have the power to create a computer with > unencumbered technology we might as well standardise on those > technologies. > see, i don't buy that. people write software because they have a need for it. the linux kernel is the best example. another example are the distros. we've got so many linux distros--- each with their own slant, their own "expertise" and appeals to different sets of people. a lot of the guys here are on ubuntu, a lot are on centos, mandriva, debian, gentoo, rh, etc. we each got into open source for our own need and we use it all differently, right? some desktop, some server, some people do a bit of embedded tech some as internet kiosk. people will be buying computers even when you don't have "Free" software. they'll probably pirate windows, if they can't afford the microsoft tax, but they'll still buy computers. and i also don't believe people can't afford computers. a lot of middle class--- abc and maybe a bit of d--- can buy cellphones that range from 10k to 20k. a pc at your friendly neighborhood store is what..? 10k to 20k? and when you look at our computer shops kids are packed into it playing video games. we just saw a thread on open source bundy clock here on plug. they've got need. they want to make it cost effective and they want to do it on their own. thats the power of free and open source right there. > Forget it. Thats not going to happen in the Philippines in my > lifetime. > maybe. maybe not. it certainly seems that way, a lot of the time doesn't it? you know what? who knows? there is this world wide organization called the open architecture network. you know how software developers got into this open source bit right? well they've applied it to architecture and they are building community centers, villages, houses in africa, in disaster plagued parts of the world (even in New Orleans). the plans that they have there--- the blue prints are ecologically balanced, are beautifully designed and any non-government organization, or government organization can simply visit their website, download the data and start building. just like we do here in plug and in other open source places. they've applied the open source concept into architecture and into a humanitarian world. got a church project... and you need to build a community center? why not go the open architecture network? got a barangay project that your small community is working at? why not see if the internet can help? like the open architecture network may have a design on how to build a soccer field. or if they don't may be you could ask them to help you design one. maybe you're a teacher and you need new innovative and cost effective way to teach... why not visit the internet and find out? it's the best place for people to share best practices. it's an idea worth exploring right? > I think im better off somewhere else. > sure you can! and if you've got the opportunity to make more money, why the heck not? talent goes where the money is. that said, i sometimes think, we filipinos see ourselves as always "kawawa" and hopeless. did you know they have child soldiers in africa doing the killing? children. kids. though we have a lot of hungry kids here as well, we also got kids who can spend PHP20/hr on your friendly neighborhood computer shop or for your friendly neighborhood cellphone provider. may be they have a bit of disposable income because someone in their family is earning a bit of money working here or aboard. it may not be enough to buy a car but they've got money to revolve around with. some of you guys here are also teaching kids, right? thats a great way to learn using computers, doing the software development side. we're not great--- but we're not in such terrible state as well. what we need to be a better country is staring at us in the face--- the internet with its collaborative technology and information, the people around us, and our ofws are funding kids education. why not also fund your own private enterprise, no matter how little it may seem? we've also got open source, how cool is that? there are lots of freelancers here as well who use open source technology for their clients, correct? all these things are certainly easier said than done, i know. especially when you have bills to pay every month and there doesn't seem to be enough money to go around. my point is--- we may not have a rich country like the US, but we're also not hopeless. in my humble opinion, we've learned a do-it- yourself attitude with open source, maybe we should apply it to other aspects of our lives. ------------ Cocoy Dayao [EMAIL PROTECTED] big mango - http://arkangel1a.blogspot.com "People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware." --Alan Kay _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
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