The software industry and developing countries
Valuable Effort
A recent report highlights some advantages as well challenges for implementing free software in developing countries.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently released a flagship report called “Information Economy Report 2012: The Software Industry and Developing Countries”. Over the years, I have been privileged to travel to a lot of “developing countries,” first for Digital Equipment Corporation, and later under the auspices of various companies, NGOs, and agencies. At first, I talked a lot about the technical aspects of Free Software, but then I started thinking about the economic values and how people could either make money or save money with Free Software. I was happy to see that many of the arguments I have given for the use of FOSS appeared in this report, with real numbers to back up what I espoused.
I was also happy that several initiatives I have influenced over the years made it into the report – for example, the “Malaysian Public Sector Open Source Software Programme” launched in 2004. I traveled to Malaysia in 1993 to participate in developing that plan and reviewed several copies before it was delivered. The report also mentioned FOSSFA, the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa, in whose events I have participated several times.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
News
-
Danielle Foré Has an Update for elementary OS 7
Now that Ubuntu 22.04 has been released, the team behind elementary OS is preparing for the upcoming 7.0 release.
-
Linux New Media Launches Open Source JobHub
New job website focuses on connecting technical and non-technical professionals with organizations in open source.
-
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 Now Available
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 has been released with all the additions from upstream as well as other features and improvements.
-
Pop!_OS 22.04 Has Officially Been Released
From the makers of some of the finest Linux-powered desktop and laptop computers on the market comes the latest version of their Ubuntu-based distribution, Pop!_OS 22.04.
-
Star Labs Unveils a New Small Format Linux PC
The Byte Mk I is an AMD-powered mini Linux PC with Coreboot support and plenty of power.
-
MX Linux Verison 21.1 “Wildflower” Now Available
The latest release of the systemd-less MX Linux is now ready for public consumption.
-
Microsoft Expands Their Windows Subsystem for Linux Offerings With AlmaLinux
Anyone who works with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will now find a new addition to the available distributions, one that’s become the front-runner replacement for CentOS.
-
Debian 11.3 Released wIth Numerous Bug and Security Fixes
The latest point release for Debian Bullseye is now available with some very important updates.
-
The First Alpha of Asahi Linux is Available
Asahi Linux is the first distribution to fully support Apple Silicon and is now available for testing.
-
Zorin OS 16.1 Released with a New Kernel For Better Hardware Compatibility
The developers of Zorin OS have released the latest version of their beautiful desktop Linux OS.