---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 12:14:47 -0400 From: Paul Swider <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [GKD] Open-Source Software for Development
I think this is wonderful but I would like to put in a good word (another, I've done this on other lists) for open-source software as more than an economic development tool. Or perhaps to expand that definition. With the assumptions of the benefits of free or open-source software behind us, it is certainly a good source of functionality for people in developing countries because of its relative costs and its adaptability to different circumstances. Such software also makes hardware issues simpler because older computers that would choke on the latest Windows can run quite well with open-source OSs and utilities. Therefore, issues of accessibility of IT for everyone become much less problematic. We still need to work on bandwidth questions but that will come. Now consider that people in developing countries need not only be consumers of open-source software, they can easily become its creators. With the source available, neither I in Washington, DC, nor someone in a village in Africa has to merely take what is given in terms of software function, we can make what we need. This not only translates into better IT, it can also translate into real jobs. Now consider that the vast majority of the world's population neither can nor wants to be addicted to expensive closed software systems. If something else is available, it will become popular. Because of the sheer numbers, the 5 billion of the world will drive the IT market toward an open-source view out of necessity. And we will all benefit tremendously in a virtuous cycle. Including the business models tied to open source, which are most efficient at large scale. Let's then take this one step further and assume we have spread open-source more widely and that we reap the hardware benefits as above. People in developing countries now begin to appear to the IT community as they should appear to the rest of the developed world: as a real, viable and very attractive market (not as people needing donations). Being part of a market creates a level of credibility and respect that traditional economic development models do not. Plus the size of this market will also address the bandwidth issues because it will be too obvious that bandwidth needs to be repackaged and repriced to appeal to this newly realized market. And we all end up far more connected in the process. That's not to say IT is the cure for all the world's ills. But it could be the thin edge of the wedge that breaks the rich world out of its cocoon to understand that the rest of the world can provide many meaningful partnerships and benefits, not just sad stories of war and famine. Any means to change that mindset would be a revolution in rich-world thinking. But we have to start the process by seeding the market with more open-source software. -- Paul Swider [EMAIL PROTECTED] Greenstar http://www.greenstar.org/introduction.htm V 301.776.9979 C 301.793.8329 F 208.248.1869 http://www.e-greenstar.com/pswider.htm Frederick Noronha wrote: > This comment below mine comes from Arun M, who is looking after the > admin work of the Free Software Foundation-India. I wish we could > somehow build bridges between those in a position to create useful > software... and those who are trying hard to apply it in a developmental > context. FN > On Sun, 14 Apr 2002, Arun M wrote: > > > > Incidentally, the ICT-for-Development network is debating > > > a lot on how IT (and Communication Technologies) can help > > > promote development. Perhaps there's need for more from the > > > GNU/Linux lobby to linkup with this network. This is a campaign > > > where Free Software has a *lot* to offer. We win the battle > > > in convincing this network hands down, because the profit-is-not-all > > > approach works very well when the issue of three-fourths of the > > > human race (that is currently out in the cold) is at stake. FN > > > > This is a very important issue. I believe these projects will be helping > > at bringing computing to lot of people and Free Software community > > should actively involve and bring Free Software messages to more people. > > Also these developmental agencies can help us in our fight to protect > > Freedom of people. I would like to request Frederick to initiate active > > discussions and programs in this regards. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/> To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message. Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies. More info can be found at; http://www.softcon.com/archives/SURVPC.html
