[LUAU] Re: Goobuntu Linux

[Julian Yap]

On Thu, 2006-02-02 at 09:35 -1000, prb at lava.net wrote:
> Julian Yap wrote:
> 
> > You're ignore emerging markets/countries.
> 
> I ignore them because they haven't been much of a factor. It would be 
> nice if they became one, but so far, it hasn't been happening. I suspect 
> a couple of reasons are at play. Some emerging countries have bigger 
> problems than where to get a cheap computer. Africa comes to mind. Other 
> areas, like Asia, have a thriving piracy market, and they appear to use 
> Linux as a way to keep the intellectual property police at bay.
> 
> My neighbor, a school teacher in the islands, recently returned from an 
> Asian country with thousands of dollars of software that he purchased 
> for about $20. In short, Asia already has free (as in beer) software.

You may believe that Linux is not a factor in emerging countries but the
sponsors of LinuxAsia 2006 conference don't think so
(http://www.linuxasia.net/).

OK, let's take China for example.

Now, China is a communist country and so the largest force by far is the
Government.  Which feels more communist?  Free and Open Source, for the
people, Linux or a foreign owned proprietary operating system.

Which is the government currently supporting?  A FOSS operating system
or rampant piracy?

An example.

"Sun Wah Linux Chosen by Chinese Government for the Largest Linux
Desktop Roll-Out in China's History" -
http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/20051005183120307

Numbers:
- 141,624 PCs
- PC procurement deals worth a total of RMB $346.2 million (USD $42.7
million).

Quote:
"This project marks the cooperative effort of Sun Wah Linux and the
Jiangsu government's use of Linux to fight against Microsoft's monopoly
in China," said Alex Banh, CEO, Sun Wah Linux.

> > For example, HOSEF provides server technologies for Hawaiian public
> > schools which would not be able to afford a Windows solution or
> > otherwise in the first place.
> 
> A good thing, too. A couple of questions, though. How much do the 
> efforts of HOSEF actually contribute to the spread of Linux? 

For example, by installing K12LTSP labs in schools.  Where once there
was no lab with no Linux computers, there is now a fully functional lab
running a K12LTSP server and numerous Linux terminals.  See also:
http://hosef.org/gallery2/v/installations/

> Second, 
> when such a system is installed, how is it supported? To keep the costs 
> down, would support come from HOSEF, or from a school employee acting as 
> the local geek? If it's the latter, I suspect that he or she would get 
> no extra money for maintaining the new system. Has the group worked 
> something out in that area?

I have only been with HOSEF for a relatively short time so I can't
comment fully on the logistics of support.  Anyone else care to answer
this?  I have however worked for the past 4 years in customer and
applications support so if these areas are lacking in HOSEF, I will look
to address them.

> > Apply this to countries globally which cannot afford Windows on
> > the desktop or server.  So you're saying there's no growth potential
> > for Linux in China/India/African countries?  
> 
> I'm saying there is far less than most Linux folk hope for.

Then that's you're publicly stated opinion and you are entitled to it.

> > Reason why Windows server market share takes longer to displace is also
> > because of a company's current support personnel and the CTO who
> > holds some Microsoft certification and clings to it for dear life.
> 
> I don't accept that as the real reason for a minute. It's just another 
> unsupported claim. If you would look to the reasons behind a Microsoft 
> based shop, look to the interlocking pieces of their software offerings.

Smart shops are looking to solutions which will not lock them down to
such interlocking, vendor specific pieces.

> > This will change and is changing.
> 
> Unfortunately, I have been hearing this for years, too.

Examples have been provided and there are plenty more.