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Documentary on GNU/Linux, Free/Libre and Open Source Software...
by Frederick Noronha 10 Nov '02

10 Nov '02

---------- Forwarded message ---------- >From the Mumbai LUG (cross posted): There is an excellent documentary on Linux, available for free download on ftp://ftp.slackware.no/pub/video/The_Code-Linux.avi I downloaded it. It's pretty wide, not deep. It does contrast OSS and FSF nicely, in RMS and ESR's own words. I think I'm on the OSS side (FSF is nice, but not particularly practical). If you're expecting to see code, forget it. Much of it is documentary-style history and political interviews with various people (RMS and ESR come to mind). The infant Linus looks cute. Flames will be ignored. -- Satya. <URL:http://satya.virtualave.net/> Use DEVICE=EXXON to screw up your environment. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get 128 Bit SSL Encryption! http://us.click.yahoo.com/JjlUgA/vN2EAA/kG8FAA/zCsqlB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: teach-yourself-linux-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

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[Announce] Mukti 0.9.0
by Sayamindu Dasgupta 10 Nov '02

10 Nov '02

Hello all, I just finished uploading the Mukti set of fonts to the project site. See http://www.nongnu.org/freebangfont/downloads.html for details. The Mukti set, developed by Dr. Anirban Mitra uses the glyphs from the recently GPL'ed Akruti set of fonts. It has three fonts - muktibld.ttf, muktinrw.ttf, mukti.ttf. Note that Mukti is still in *BETA* stage, with the positioning lookups still incomplete, and hence, there will be misalignment of matras and rephs etc in many cases. -enjoy- Sayamindu -- Sayamindu Dasgupta [http://www.peacefulaction.org/sayamindu/] * GNU is Not Unix * .... Towards World Liberation .... http://www.gnu.org

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NEWS: Stallman -- Disk, I/O issues delay GNU OS
by Frederick Noronha 10 Nov '02

10 Nov '02

Stallman: Disk, I/O issues delay GNU OS By John Ribeiro November 6, 2002 2:54 pm PT BANGALORE, INDIA -- The release of a production version of the free GNU operating system (OS) has been delayed beyond the end of the year, as the current development version of the system does not support large disk partitions and high speed serial I/O (input-output), according to Richard Stallman, president of the Boston-based Free Software Foundation (FSF). "I would say that when two features that are that essential are still missing, we are not at version 1.0 of the system yet," Stallman told IDG News Service in an interview this week in Bangalore. Stallman was however noncommittal on a new release date. In an interview in March, Stallman said that the production version of the GNU OS was likely to be ready by the end of this year. Developers working on the current development version of the GNU system, also called the GNU/Hurd to distinguish it from GNU/Linux, have found limitations in the Hurd kernel and the GNU Mach microkernel, according to Stallman. "There are two problems that have to be solved," Stallman said. "One of them is the lack of high-speed, serial-line handling, and the other is the limit on the size of a file system which is at somewhere between one to two gigabytes, which means that if you get a moderate size disk you have to divide it into smaller partitions, which is a nuisance." To solve the serial port problem, the GNU project is switching from the GNU Mach to the OSKit Mach, a Mach based on the OSKit for OS development from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. "That version of Mach is supposed to get high speed serial line support, although it apparently isn't there in yet," Stallman said. Before the GNU project could switch to the OSKit Mach, it had to rewrite the [Image]terminal support in the Hurd to support virtual consoles. The GNU project has also got developers to work on the problem of the limit on the size of the current Hurd file system. "There are many other things that we want to do that will make the Hurd better, but resolving this issue (of the limit on the size of the file system) is absolutely essential," added Stallman. "I don't think it was realized how bad it is practically speaking not to be able to use whatever your disk partitioning is. Clearly most people are not going to repartition their disks to be able to try out our Hurd based system." Currently some users work with a development version of the GNU/Hurd system distributed by the open source Debian Project. The FSF is also modifying the GNU General Public License (GPL), though the fundamental principles will remain unchanged, according to Stallman. "We have looked at, for example, adding a clause that explicitly states that you give a patent license when you redistribute the software," Stallman added. FSF also plans to incorporate into the GNU GPL a section covering use of software on a computer network. This new section is likely to be on a similar section in the Affero GPL adopted by San Francisco-based Affero Inc. The Affero GPL requires anyone modifying a software program to give immediate access by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) to the complete source code of the modified software to other users interacting with the software on the network, if the original program had a provision for this kind of access. John Ribeiro is an India-based correspondent for the IDG News Service, an InfoWorld affiliate. http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/02/11/06/021106hngnudelay.xml?s=IDG NS John Ribeiro 11 Wood Street Ashok Nagar Bangalore-560 025 Tel: 91-80-553 3341 Fax: 91-80-553 3342

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Re: From Associated Press
by Frederick Noronha 10 Nov '02

10 Nov '02

Please reply to S Srinivasan <madraschap(a)yahoo.com> I will also point out that the correct term is GNU/Linux and that Open Source is different from Free Software (though both may be collectively called a term which is gaining acceptance in South Asia too -- Free/Libre and Open Source Software). FN On Thu, 7 Nov 2002, S Srinivasan wrote: > > Dear Frederick > > Thanks for your mail. I have a few queries for the Indian LUGgers and other experts on open source/free software. Could you kindly circulate this among your friends and ask them to reply to me? Before that, I would request you to answer these queries too. Thanks in advance. > > 1) Bill Gates is coming to India next week. How do you, as a supporter of open source software, look at this visit? > > 2) What message, do you think, the Indian and state governments should be giving Gates? > > 3) Do you think our central and state governments have the nerve or the commitment to encourage open source software risking the wrath of Microsoft and other software multinationals? > > 4) There has been a recent story, sourced to nobody in particular, saying that India will push into open source in a major way... Your reactions... > > 5) Can you give me instances of Linux/open source software making a difference in e-governance or projects meant for poor people? Also, can you give me examples of governments talking right on open source, but still depending heavily on Windows? > > 6) What do you think is the future of Linux in india? how do you rate the progress so far? > > Thanks. Kindly reply to madraschap(a)yahoo.com. I am looking to wrapping up the story as soon as possible, so I would request you to answer as soon as you see this mail. Thanks for allowing me to make this small demand on your time. > > S Srinivasan > > > > S SRINIVASAN > > Correspondent > > THE ASSOCIATED PRESS > > S-2, Ganga-Cauvery Apartments, Sultanpalya Main Road, Sultanpalya > > Bangalore - 560 032. > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD

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Murder of Democracy
by CK Raju 09 Nov '02

09 Nov '02

The Hindu has brought out a Classified Ad for buying PCs for Legislative Assembly with MS Windows Server as software component. The 'mode' of mixing ISM from C-DAC (for language support) and MS technology appears to have found favours with those who are constantly pushing such systems in the Public Institutions, as it deviates public and media suspicion. This is murder of democracy as the highest democratic institution within the State, will now be 'vulnerable for security attacks', nothing less than a national shame. Some of us should write to the editor letters(a)thehindu.co.in and try to bring it to the attention of CM and other Ministers. CK Raju

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NEWS [BADLY-OFFTOPIC]: India Inc waits for Gates to open more windows
by Frederick Noronha 09 Nov '02

09 Nov '02

India Inc. waits for Gates to open more windows By Imran Qureshi, Indo-Asian News Service Bangalore, Nov 9 (IANS) India Inc. is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the world's richest man, Microsoft Corporation's Bill Gates, to plan its strategy for a larger stake in global business in the currently uncertain environment. The IT industry as well as the head honchos of several corporates across New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad are looking forward to listening to the entrepreneur whose U.S.-based company earns revenues of $28 billion, employing over 50,000 people in 78 countries. "Everybody is looking forward to listen to him, his strategy for the future. >From our perspective, it is a privilege to have him in India. His visit (he is not visiting any other Asian country) will step up our morale and act as a motivator," J. Veeraraghavan, managing director of Novell India, told IANS here. "A number of Indian IT companies are working on Microsoft technologies. And it would be helpful for them to align their future business strategies," added Veeraraghavan, the prime mover behind Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN), a platform of professionals to benchmark software engineering practices and enhance the quality of processes in the industry. In India's tech capital, where he arrives from New Delhi on Wednesday, Gates is expected to address about 3,000 software professionals before meeting Karnataka's IT savvy Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, followed by the chief executives of Indian corporates, under the aegis of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). Gates will meet Infosys Technologies chairman and chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy and chief executive officer Nandan Nilekani. All these meetings will be held at Infosys City, the corporate headquarters of India's second largest software exporter. To maintain the balance in Microsoft's relationship with the other Indian IT major Wipro, Gates will also address software professionals at its Electronics City campus. In New Delhi, where Gates arrives Monday, he will be leading a delegation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that is expected to announce long-term strategic commitments to support India's efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. He is scheduled to meet ministers and address a media conference. Gates is likely to meet President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan in the national capital. After two days in New Delhi and half a day in Bangalore, Gates will fly to Mumbai, where he will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, corporate head honchos like Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani and K.V. Kamath and the banking community under the banner of the country's top financial daily, The Economic Times. He will later reach Hyderabad, where he is scheduled to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Nasscom executive committee members and Satyam CEO Ramalinga Raju. He is also scheduled to visit the sites funded by his foundation before flying back to Seattle on Thursday. --Indo-Asian News Service

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From an educational institution...
by Frederick Noronha 09 Nov '02

09 Nov '02

This is what a friend shared with me... Obviously Microsoft believes that they can beat GNU/Linux on the price front. And get youngsters hooked to it at the right age? FN ---------- Forwarded message ---------- We are in the process of Acquiring MSDN Academic Alliance - for Educational institutes only - costs around 799$ / year - gives full access to OS and programs for entire institute -- unlimited number copies - usefull for students as the course curriculum involves MS tools + the industry too at present - job / carrier minded would still persist with MS. We prefered above MSDN AA program as keeping relevant OS+Package upgrades once in 2-3 years would inturn cost much more than keeping the above subscription alive....

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NEWS- Stallman: Disk, I/O issues delay GNU OS
by Frederick Noronha 07 Nov '02

07 Nov '02

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Low-cost Brazilian PC...
by Frederick Noronha 07 Nov '02

07 Nov '02

Thanks to Jeebesh Bagchi <jeebesh(a)sarai.net> for sending it across... Is this some coincidence that all the low-cost PCs -- aimed at widening access to those who can't afford -- are almost all GNU/Linux-based FN Curing Poverty with Computing Brazilian University Researchers Build Cheap Computers for the Masses Ben Goertzel http://www.goertzel.org/benzine/BrazilianComputers.htm here is an excerpt "The idea here was to create a computer that members of the Brazilian underclass could genuinely afford.� The Net PC will cost around $400 reiais (around US$ 200), and will be available by June 2001.�� Furthermore, in order to ensure affordability,� and a 24-month payment plan will be offered. �The task of creating this machine was turned over to the computer science department at one of Brazil?s leading universities, the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), in Belo Horizonte.� The project was led by a number of expert computing researchers, including Sergio Vale Aguilar Campos, trained at Carnegie-Mellon University in the USA, and Wagner Meira, trained at the University of Rochester in the USA.�These professors are accustomed to spending their time doing research and teaching on advanced topics like parallel computing (running programs on specialized computers) and automatic program verification (programs that check to be sure other programs are doing what they?re supposed to).� But they and many of their colleagues and students were willing to take time out from this to work on the government-sponsored project of bringing much simpler aspects of computing to a much wider population. The Net PC itself will be a fairly standard one . a Pentium 500 MHz, with keyboard, mouse, 56 Kbps modem, 14" display, 64 Mb RAM and no hard disk (16 Mb flash RAM instead).� According to those involved in the project, the technical aspects of designing the system were not particularly onerous ? no major inventions or innovations were required.� The hardest part was bargaining with the manufacturers of the various parts of the machine, who tended to be oriented toward making the most expensive and powerful machines possible rather than creating low-cost systems.� Early on in the project it was realized that the Microsoft Windows OS was not an option, due to its high cost.� Instead, the system was built around the freeware Linux OS, the favorite of hackers everywhere.� This is a very interesting aspect of the project.� In the US and Western Europe, Linux is a minority OS, used by hackers, programmers and computer scientists only.� Standard tools like browsers and word processors exist for Linux, but aren?t quite as polished or user-friendly as on the Windows OS.� On the other hand, advanced tasks are much easier to carry out in Linux than in Windows, and there are other major advantages, such as Linux?s increased stability (machines running Linux can go for years without ?crashing?, whereas the typical time between crashes for Windows systems is more like days).�� And Linux, unlike Windows, is an open-source software system, meaning that anyone around the world can edit the computer code that determines how the system runs, and make it run differently.� By its very nature, it invites participation from users, whether those users are in the Brazilian ghetto or in the heart of Silicon Valley.� In the same spirit as the choice of the open-source Linux architecture, the UFMG computer scientists decided to make the�main-board architecture for the machine open as well, meaning that any company will be able to make it, and that computer-savvy users will easily be able to modify it or add onto it as they wish. � In fact, this is just one example of the international move toward open-source software, which does not yet pose a huge short-term threat to Microsoft?s hegemony in the OS market, but may well do so in a few years time.� For instance, the government of Argentina is considering passing a new law mandating that, after an adjustment period government offices can only use Open Source software.� And, less extremely, the French government currently dictates that no computer files can be used in government business unless they can be read and edited by Open Source software.� � Each successive version of Windows software uses more and more computational resources, thus providing more functions (sometimes useful ones, sometimes useless one) and pushing consumers to buy more and more powerful computers each year.� As Wagner Meira says, in this regard the Net PC project was strikingly contrarian.�?We did a lot of hacking for shrinking a lot of software into 16Mb.� There was a lot of discussion around our minimalist approach versus the maximalist approach usually adopted by Windows. We are watching an ever growing and ever more flawed Windows over the years, and our project adopted exactly the reverse direction.?� � Instead of asking what can be done to sell more software or more hardware to middle-class North Americans (the question on the minds of most people in the US computer industry), they asked, as Meira puts it:� ?What does a computing novice really need in a computer? Internet (including multimedia) and text processing.� Eventually software for creating a spreadsheet or a presentation.�However,? ? and here is the big difference from projects like the American WebTV -- ?the Net PC does allow expansions for those that want to have an enhanced computing experience.? WebTV and similar projects allow very limited Internet use at low cost, but they don?t allow the user to grow in sophistication.� With the Net PC, on the other hand, Meira says, ?by employing an incremental approach, we believe that we can reach a much larger portion of the population without restricting the use of the equipment.�My mother, for instance, had a hard time to learn how to double click, and she definitely does not know how to shut down the computer.?� Yet a young Brazilian who wants to learn to program software can do so on the Net PC; indeed its Linux kernel provides in a some ways a better platform for this than a standard Windows-based computer. � Finally, Meira observes cannily that the minimalist approach taken in the Net PC is the sort of thing that could only emerge in a place like Brazil, not in a place like the USA, where ?More, more, more!? is the watchword.�?In Brazil,? he notes, ?popular stuff is usually minimalist, such as� the popular car (up to 1000cc), pre-paid cell phones, etc.?�� This is a small example of the general principle that the developing world must lead its own people into the information age.�The cultural and conceptual biases of First World countries aren?t necessarily in synch with the needs of the rest of the world, even though First World technology has universal applicability. � What impact will these cheap, open-architecture computers have on the Brazilian underclass, on the tremendous economic inequity that is the underbelly of this rapidly growing digital economy?� This remains to be seen.� One hopes that they will serve to blur the distinction between the lower reaches of the middle class and the upper echelons of the poor.� That families will save their money to buy cheap computers for their children, who will then go online and learn about the depth of� world far beyond their neighborhood, opening their eyes to the possibilities that aren?t shown in TV sitcoms and reality shows.�� How many people, whose parents weren?t university-educated, will use their new Net PC?s as tools to help them gain computer skills, so that they can get in on the ground floor of one of the software start-ups in Brazil?s booming software industry?� � Of course, cheap computers aren?t the whole solution to Brazil?s problems ? they?re only one very small piece of a huge and complicated picture.�Overall improvement of primary education in poor neighborhoods is a huge task which is inarguably both more critical and more difficult.� But it?s important not to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the human problems around us, and to realize that every little bit counts.� The popular bumpersticker says ?Think globally, act locally,? and this is one of those clich�?s that actually deserves the repetition it receives.�The computer scientists at UFMG, as they take a break from their advanced research on parallel algorithms and program verification to create inexpensive computers for the masses, are playing an integral role in the technological advancement of human race and the overall creation of global computational intelligence.� We need the next phase of the tech revolution to be founded on compassion and inclusion, not elitism, classism and egocentrism.� This is a responsibility that falls on us all. ��PostScript: Class Politics and the Cyber-visionary Community � What do the leaders of the tech revolution in the developed world think of this kind of work?� Precious few cyber-leaders are in practice interested in devoting their time to such pursuits.�� One hopes that as more and more technology millionaires reach the age where they become interested in philanthropy, the spread of the tech revolution across the world will become a focus, along with other laudable goals like global health and education.� But at the present time, opinions on the importance of reaching out to the masses, and the optimal strategy for doing so, are all over the map. � A few months ago, excited about the Brazilian Net PC and the prospect of further similar projects around the world, hopefully coupled with serious educational initiatives, I began talking about such things on the Extropians e-mail list, an Internet discussion group devoted to futuristic technology and its social and economic implications.� Someone noted that the views of the Extropian community tended not to be taken very seriously in the mainstream press, and I suggested that, perhaps, if the Extropian community became involved in doing something important to the mainstream world, their opinions would be valued more.� What if, for instance, a group of Extropians devoted some of their time to education in the Third World? � Eliezer Yudkowsky, a friend and colleague whose opinion I respect, came down against this hard.�� According to him, his time and effort, and that that of his cyber-guru colleagues, should be spent pushing full-speed-ahead toward the ?Singularity?, his word for the point at which the acceleration of technical development becomes infinite, through computer programs rewriting their own source code, robots rebuilding their own hardware and other similar futuristic designs.�?How much money is spent on attempts to actually ship food directly to the poor?? he asked. ?Lots.� How much money is spent on direct efforts to implement the Singularity? ? Not much.? � On the other hand, Samantha Atkins, another Extropians list regular and a veteran Silicon Valley AI engineer, replied to Eliezer with a different point of view: ?Perhaps,? she suggested, ?there is a productive middle ground.� Some of us could say more about precisely how the Singularity, and the technologies along the way, can be applied to solving many of the problems that beset real people right now.�We can produce and spread the memes of technology generally and AI, nanotechnology and the Singularity in particular as answering the deepest needs, hopes and dreams of human beings?.�As part of this we also need more of a story about the steps up to Singularity as involves the actual lives and living conditions of people.� That we will muddle along somehow while a few of the best and the brightest create a miracle is not very satisfying.� What kind of world do we work toward in the meantime?� What do we do about poverty, about technology obsoleting skills faster than new ones can be acquired, about creating workable visions including ethics and so on?� What is our attitude toward humanity?? � What is our attitude toward humanity, indeed?� Eliezer is a very ethically serious person, and he truly believes that the best thing we in the cyber-elite can do is for the world is to produce superior technology.� The technology itself, he says, will transform the world for everyone, and the most important thing to do is to get the technology to this point, to the point where it can figure out how to solve the world?s problems on its own.� � There is a certain amount of truth to this perspective.� And, in my view, there is also a certain irony to it, particularly given the fact that Eliezer?s research so far has focused on how to make AI programs ?Friendly,? in the sense of being well-disposed toward humans.�� His solution to the problem of AI friendliness lies in the realm of cognitive engineering ? he believes one needs to give an AI an appropriate goal system specifically designed to foster Friendliness. � In early 2001, I was running the AI company Webmind Inc., and Eliezer visited our New York office to give a lecture on Friendly AI.� The lecture was received excellently by some and terribly by others.� Generally speaking the Webmind Inc. staff were absorbed with the practical problems of trying to create real digital intelligence, whereas Eliezer was more concerned with the various philosophical and futuristic issues that will arise once a truly intelligent AI system is completed.� But the issue of ?wiring in Friendliness? definitely struck everyone powerfully, one way or another.� Among the milder responses, one of our Brazilian software engineers ? not one of the several who had worked on the Net PC project before joining Webmind, but a good friend of those who had, and a student of Wagner Meira and Sergio Campos ? raised his hand and politely said: ?But perhaps the most important thing is not the in-built goal system, but whether we teach it by example.?�� The friendlier we are, in other words, the friendlier our AI systems are going to be.� � The issue is clear and poignant.� What the Brazilian engineer was suggesting was that, if our superhuman AI grows up watching us act as though most humans are dispensable and irrelevant, perhaps it will, in its adulthood, believe that we too are dispensable and irrelevant.� On the other hand, perhaps, as Eliezer says, it will grow up and understand that building it was the best thing the cyber-elite could do for humanity as a whole, and it will then proceed to spread joy and plenty throughout the land.��Who knows? These rarefied ethical disputes are fascinating, but they easily carry one away into the domain of angels dancing on the heads of pins. �And this is why the kind of work done by Campos, Meira and their colleagues is so intriguing.� There?s no arguing with the real physical-world power of millions of impoverished Brazilians logging onto the Net and discovering discussion groups like Extropians, where things like ethics and technology are discussed, and speculations on superhuman AI appears alongside critiques of the latest Java release.� Without the Net PC and other things like it, these people might well never get to log on and argue with Eliezer for themselves.� (Not, at any rate, unless the Singularity comes fast enough that superhuman AI systems revolutionize their lives before they get old.) �In spite of the success of Cardoso?s economic reforms, there is a lot of justified skepticism in Brazil about the whole political system and everything the government does.� University people are up in arms over Cardoso?s plan to charge significant university tuition, breaking a tradition of free university education for all sufficiently academically distinguished students.� As Thiago Turchetti Maia, another Brazilian software engineer and student of Meira and Campos, says, ?You know the money saved from charging tuition is not going to go to send poor people to university.� You know it?s just going to disappear.?� But when asked about the Net PC project, he waxes at least a bit more positive.. ?Well, there, you can see what the money?s going towards,? he says.� ?At least that?s something real.?� He shrugs.� ?Maybe it will make some difference?.? " Or is this hype ? � -------------------------------------------------------

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Fwd: [fsug-calicut] Some thing to reply..
by baiju 07 Nov '02

07 Nov '02

Forwarding from FSUG-Kozhikode list. --- Baiju M ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [fsug-calicut] Some thing to reply.. Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2002 11:03:53 +0530 From: "Jaisen.N.D." <jaisu_vyas(a)rediffmail.com> To: fsug-calicut(a)freelists.org Hai, Have any one seen the month's Sasthragathi? Not yet? Then please get it.. It have an article by K.Anvar Sadath and T.P.Sudhakaran, working in Information Kerala Mission. They tries to justify the Microsoft - based foundation of the project. They point out: - Software development is not a mental effort of only the programmers involved, but, it is a user - based effort in a human centered thought. So, the training of users, and the efforts which enable the users to use the technology have more importance. > I agree with it. Me too was a volenteer in IKM's OIK project (to computerise the panchayat election counting centers in 2000.) which was a big flop. - It is a business strategy to raise a particular technology as a solution for all type of issues. > They says that, the fsf movement and all the efforts of volenteers all over the world are simply a business trick. Should I say something? - Application of technology has many expenses.. They include - direct expenses - non-direct expenses - invisible expenses - short term expenses - long term expenses etc. so a technology should be chosen considering all these things equally. > Me too agree. Is the GNU more expensive than MS based things considering all these? Sounds interesting.. - To surrender to the greatness of a particular type of technology, and tolerate with it's dominance is not scientific. > Here goes all the waters out.. Who are surrendering? - Unix is not developed for ordinary users. So the Unix is unreachable for ordinary users and it is the main drawback of Unix....... All the capabilities and drawbacks are common for all the OSs like Linux which are included in Unix family..... Unix and Linux are for the expert users who are working in powerful computers.. > It is true that Unix was not developed for common users. But the train is running.. There was a time, which there were no GUIs for Unix and it's clones. But now situation is different. Almost all the distributions of Linux comes with a very user-friendly GUI which are equally or more better than any other available in the market. - Total Cost Ownership ( TCO ) includes the expenses of administration, training, technical assistance, other services as well as cost of software...... Open Source code doesn't win the market because, it feels costly in the observations based on TCO. > Is it? Where is the Survey / Study reports? - Windows has a simple and easy GUI.. > Linux has more than one simple and easy Desktop environments.. - Technical assistance for Linux is limited. Big Projects can't go depending on volenteering help services. > Then how the govt. projects of many countries of the world like China or Brazil goes? - Open Source is only a business trick to get dominance in the market using some values.. - RMS is neither tries to connect the bad effects of patents and copyrights with capitalistic authority and it's values ... - Inside the framework of Capitalism, no any future for humanity, equality, or honesty in long-terms through FSF. - C-Dit gets Microsoft products in discount rates.. after the agreement with them. - The agreement is not a new thing. National Informatic Centre and many State Govt agencies have experience in these type of agreements. > I know that The Mail server of NIC for the students and teachers (http://edumail.nic.in) Runs on Microsoft's Outlook Express. But is it a model to imitate? ............... and a lot. What u think? Can't we reply? -jaisen. --------------------------------------------- FSUG-Kozhikode Home Page : http://www.freelists.org/webpage/fsug-calicut --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------

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