Blogrel: Open Minds for Open Source

January 29, 2005

Open Minds for Open Source

Hello everyone. I'd like to make my first Blogrel post about one of my passions: technology and bridging the digital divide in Armenia.

One way to make technology more affordable (and legal!) is utilizing Open Source software. I believe that Armenia and other countries could benefit greatly if their governments would take a stand on Open Source (for example utilizing Open Source software on government computer networks).

There is a great project, Open Source Armenia, "aimed at developing cutting edge technologies through endorsing advantages of Open Source." I encourage you to visit their site and see the good work that they are doing. You can even download a copy of Open Office (the Open Source word processing/ Microsoft Office-like suite) in Armenian!

Another useful site is Source Forge - a site for any open source software imaginable!

I hope to spread the word on Open Source as well as other positive technology programs in Armenia.

Posted by Katy on January 29, 2005 | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Comments

Matt, I agree and one day probably in the next few years, I think that open source will be seen as more of an option in Armenia just as it is being looked at as a solution in Iraq. Basically, WTO membership will see a crackdown on all the CD shops in Yerevan which sell 99% pirated copies of music and computer software. Prices for Windows software sold openly will therefore be too high for most people and Linux and the other stuff like Open Office will offer an ideal solution.

BTW: It's not just an economic reason, I have friends in the UK that prefer Linux over Windows and I was even considering switching here but couldn't find a modem driver for running under Knoppix. Actually, it was hard enough to find a modem driver under XP but there was nothing under Linux. Anyway, when WTO membership and obligations kick in, the pirate software market will move into the shadows and Armenian-language Open source Operating System and applications will probably become mainstream. Even now, I run Firefox and Thunderbird under XP just because I dislike running anything with Microsoft's name on it!

Cheers,

Posted by: Onnik Krikorian at January 29, 2005 05:55 PM

Onnik

this was posted by Katy - who will now be posting regularly to Blogrel!

But I agree, Open Source does offer a real alternative to the Microsoft monopoly, and has particular appeal for countries such as Armenia.

Posted by: Matt at January 30, 2005 10:24 AM

Onnik - great point about the WTO. In addition, Microsoft is going to begin only allowing Windows Updates to go to legal copies of Windows in mid-2005. That should certainly put a halt to piracy and possibly push people to Linux.

Posted by: Katy at January 30, 2005 01:19 PM

There are several points to consider here:

1) Open Source Armenia is nice, but they have a lot to do in non-Windows OS systems. There you have nothing. They should target first cross-platform
solutions rather than only Windows ones, where honestly Open Office is far behind.

2) The web page itself contains spelling mistakes on Armenian! It's shame!

3) To switch to Linux you might consider finding out how is your hardware is supported in the first instance.

4) Use SUSE or Mandrake LiveCD to test your PC and learn.

Best regards.

Posted by: Tigran Khanzadyan at February 4, 2005 09:15 PM

Email to a friend

On this site

Advertising

Categories

Archives

Recent Entries

Links

Books

January 29, 2005

Open Minds for Open Source