Back to the topic of application of FLOSS (Free/Libre and Open Source Software) in the country. To start off its worth to note the lack of awareness of OSS (Open Source Software) and its benefits, specially at the grass root level. Its worth to note the following point that of all the countries in South Asia except Maldives, Open Source has been applied in the field of education.
Unlike the neighbors and most countries, the Government of Maldives neither seem to have any policy on Open Source nor any government backed projects are running on Open Source. If we look at our neighbors the case is very different. Example; The federal Government of Pakistan has allocated a budget of US$ 1 million for Linux development and US$ 3 million for other open source projects. The Ministry of Science & Technology under Technology Resource Mobilisation (TReMU) has formed the Task Force for Linux for outlining strategies, seminars and planning with regard to Linux [www.trmu.gov.pk].
Moving on closer, Volunteers from Lankan Linux User Group (Lk-LUG), Lanka Software Foundation (LSF), Virtusa, ICTA and other organisations working on Open Source like Eurocentre, hSenid etc. launched an open source disaster management system, ‘Sahana’ (meaning peace or calm in Sinhalese). The system has been implemented and authorized by Centre for National Operations (CNO) of Government of Sri Lanka to help relief work in Tsunami affected areas. I've personally worked along with companies like hSenid and they are developing and exporting solutions based on OSS implementations. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka is the single apex body involved in ICT policy and direction for the nation. It is wholly owned by the Government of Sri Lanka. ICTA recognises Open Source and is a strong supporter in the development of FLOSS in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been a strong contributor to OSS projects like the Apache Project.
The Indian Government doesn’t rule out the use of proprietary software in favour of open source software. However, there are government agencies like Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal etc. who are extensively using and advocate the use of open source. Back in 2002, the Government of India has announced that all government tenders would stop specifying Microsoft or any other vendor's name, while floating software tenders. Thus this will open ways for Linux vendors. It plans to set up special interest groups, which will include people from academia, and industry, which will explore means to deploy Linux in e-Governance, defense and education.
The policies Maldives has on OSS are unknown and doubt if there would be any , ever. I guess we cannot blame the government for this. An initiative has to be taken at an individual level first and moved on. So far the Maldives doesn’t seem to be undergoing any major open source movement except for the existence of the Maldives Linux user Group (MLUG). This too is mostly or totally inactive. There is no official recognition of the organization nor an effort has been made to make it official. The reason maybe the lack of interest.
Reference http://www.csdms.in/csdms/pdf/FLOSS_draft_rpt.pdf
Unlike the neighbors and most countries, the Government of Maldives neither seem to have any policy on Open Source nor any government backed projects are running on Open Source. If we look at our neighbors the case is very different. Example; The federal Government of Pakistan has allocated a budget of US$ 1 million for Linux development and US$ 3 million for other open source projects. The Ministry of Science & Technology under Technology Resource Mobilisation (TReMU) has formed the Task Force for Linux for outlining strategies, seminars and planning with regard to Linux [www.trmu.gov.pk].
Moving on closer, Volunteers from Lankan Linux User Group (Lk-LUG), Lanka Software Foundation (LSF), Virtusa, ICTA and other organisations working on Open Source like Eurocentre, hSenid etc. launched an open source disaster management system, ‘Sahana’ (meaning peace or calm in Sinhalese). The system has been implemented and authorized by Centre for National Operations (CNO) of Government of Sri Lanka to help relief work in Tsunami affected areas. I've personally worked along with companies like hSenid and they are developing and exporting solutions based on OSS implementations. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka is the single apex body involved in ICT policy and direction for the nation. It is wholly owned by the Government of Sri Lanka. ICTA recognises Open Source and is a strong supporter in the development of FLOSS in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been a strong contributor to OSS projects like the Apache Project.
The Indian Government doesn’t rule out the use of proprietary software in favour of open source software. However, there are government agencies like Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal etc. who are extensively using and advocate the use of open source. Back in 2002, the Government of India has announced that all government tenders would stop specifying Microsoft or any other vendor's name, while floating software tenders. Thus this will open ways for Linux vendors. It plans to set up special interest groups, which will include people from academia, and industry, which will explore means to deploy Linux in e-Governance, defense and education.
The policies Maldives has on OSS are unknown and doubt if there would be any , ever. I guess we cannot blame the government for this. An initiative has to be taken at an individual level first and moved on. So far the Maldives doesn’t seem to be undergoing any major open source movement except for the existence of the Maldives Linux user Group (MLUG). This too is mostly or totally inactive. There is no official recognition of the organization nor an effort has been made to make it official. The reason maybe the lack of interest.
Reference http://www.csdms.in/csdms/pdf/FLOSS_draft_rpt.pdf
First I think we have to know the mindset of the policy makers, they are not interested in technical aspect of it! However, in my experience all the IT consultants and the so called educated folks are recommending Window and .NET and others. This is what they are willing to hear, not a bunch of people who have formed a user group!
Second, just a simple question, if I managed to make a rather huge company to invest in a Linux server and OSS would there be enough life long support for it? Would MLUG be able to provide after sales support? Of course they will pay? Can't we start on this?
Third, Linux still have a higher learning curve, as for the average it is still a little difficult, so it is for the people who already have the knowledge to promote it.
If you want change just be the change!
Just my thoughts!
yeah, you are right. i understand its not easy to change those issues and make the policy makers understand the advantages, etc. The reasons are very obvious too. It kinda related to your second point as well.
As for the question. The answer will be yes. If you refer to MLUG, i am not sure. But if you refer to the individuals in the LUG we do have very experienced and capable people. If you can get these guys to work for you with an attractive pay; YES, it will work out. But will it ever happen in Maldives? The lack of investors is one issue in the IT area. I don't call selling PC's and hardware really the IT business. What I mean by IT here is solutions, etc.
Linux is not the answer to all the problems too. We have to decide when and where to use Linux. We know Linux can do a better job and cost effective at most areas. At the same time we need to understand where Linux is weak and where other alternatives are better suited.
I understand!
Personally I am looking into this from a business point of view, but will take some time... Will come back to you...
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As for the comment on my blog!
I agree with you! However, it is not my temperament to write anything that has no purpose in it! It just not me, a simple comment must also have some kind of a meaning or a wisdom or else I keep shut! I don't like petty talks! So as far as I am concerned the comments are very useful! And the truth is I learn a lot about me and what others think of me from anonymous comments, because they are trying to (most of the time) point out my weaknesses! I believe I have to know them to counter them! So I welcome negative comments more than positive! As they are more useful personally!
Then again, different people have different level of tolerance and emotional control!
Greetings,
I'm a freelance writer for Linux Journal and other magazines (cfr
http://www.linuxjournal.com/xstatic/corporate/staff/Marco, other
references available on request). I am planning a few articles about
Linux and Free Software in African and Asian countries, and would like to mention Maldives too, but need more updated information and answers
to some questions. Please email me (marco, at: digifreedom.net )if you are interested to
discuss this.
Best Regards,
Marco Fioretti
I can not participate now in discussion - there is no free time. I will be released - I will necessarily express the opinion.