The Tamil Nadu (a state in India) Government is almost ready to lock Microsoft out in favor of open source software. Earlier Microsoft had been ousted from the academias of Kerala state. Though it is only two states currently, this can build into a momentum in favor of open source. I always maintained that open source made sense to the developing countries.
Open source has a hidden advantage for a country like India. Open source tools are more likely to be localized and internationalized. Since the source is available for volunteers, they are ready for more languages to be incorporated. In a multi-lingual country like India this benefit can amplify.
Though this cannot be said generically, the cost of open source software turns out be less. This is mainly for two reasons, one is that having the source with you lets you do full customization, and secondly open source tools tend to have more community support. Of course, a lot of people argue against this, but I believe the reason is usually lack of skills in the team. Some research and informed choice of software out of the open source basket can provide a better solution. One of the best examples is the field of CMS, where the open source counterparts lead the way. The formula mentioned by Mark Taylor can help.
I think that in developing countries open source software should be preferred, especially in the academics. And once it becomes mainstream in academics it will carry forward through personal choice and experience into the industry.
January 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
[...] addition to the improvements, I have seen increased awareness about Linux and open source, even in the unexpected domains. The momentum is sure in the favor of Linux, it needs some more solution-oriented developments to [...]
February 25th, 2007 at 2:07 am
[...] What came out of the web portal launch was the support of open source software. Narinder Bhatia, project manager for CII-Shiksha India, has provided good reasons why open source can be a key to success of the project. I think one more reason is to be free from depending on the vendor for the software. Education is a field where having total control over the software being used can make a lot of difference. The institutions can also escape forced actions, like upgrade, that need to be taken because of business decisions. This can probably extend actions taken by a couple of states to embrace open source. [...]
June 9th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
[...] Hopefully this will introduce open source in educational institutions too. I have seen instances when students got penalized because the institutions were unable to cope up with cost of upgrades. Open source is a perfect solution for this. I hope others follow. [...]
October 30th, 2007 at 11:26 am
[...] is why I believe schools and education institutions can benefit a lot from open source. In India, some states are picking up on this. But I wonder why open source is not the choice for them. Microsoft should be the [...]
December 4th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
[...] Indian states eye open source TamilNadu may shut door on Microsoft Red hat helps Kerala Government: [...]
January 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
[...] This is the first of the news that corporates are warming up to the benefits of Linux. Elcot, Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu, has migrated to Linux. It is heartening to read that it was triggered by an enthusiastic management personnel. There have been some efforts from Government of Tamil Nadu to encourage open source. [...]