Hai Friends, One of the strong criticisms against the free softwares is the lack of technological support for those choosing to adopt it. The Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, an autonomous centre under Govt of Kerala is coming up with a creative response to the criticism by establishing 100 Linux Technology Extension (LiTE) centres all over Kerala. They will be launched on 20th October by the Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy in the CM's Chamber. These centres will initially provide installation, trouble shooting, and user training for Linux and Open Office. In the next phase they will also be equipped to give support for development of free software solutions. As the Linux user base gradually increases, C-DIT hopes that these centres will generate more and more micro-employment. More details on www.cdit.org/lite.htm Expecting your valuable suggestions, comments and above all support. regards
Team Leader Open Source Technology Team, Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, C-DIT City Centre, Near Press Club, Statue, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001. Keralam, India. Telephone: ++91-471-2339539 Fax: ++91-471-2335995 Email: ost@cdit.org Website: www.cdit.org
OST @ C-DIT wrote:
Hai Friends, One of the strong criticisms against the free softwares is the lack of technological support for those choosing to adopt it. The Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, an autonomous centre under Govt of Kerala is coming up with a creative response to the criticism by establishing 100 Linux Technology Extension (LiTE) centres all over Kerala.
[snip]
These centres will initially provide installation, trouble shooting, and user training for Linux and Open Office. In the next phase they will also be equipped to give support for development of free software solutions.
[snip]
Things seem a bit odd here. The schools (both public and private) teach Microsoft technologies and the government is planning to start Linux support centers. Where will these centers find manpower to provide support ? Or will the old Indian "connection" (or jugaad .. if you understand hindi) come into play for hiring?
Personally, I had a hard time finding good (or even average) PHP programmers for my company. Most freshers had been taught ASP/JSP, since that was "prescribed" in their college. Have you thought of this part of the problem ? Personally, I think the schools should start teaching perl/python instead of Basic. Colleges should start teaching QT/wxPython for GUI design. However they cannot. Why ? Because they do not have teachers. A bit of a chicken and egg problem. And opening LiTE is certainly not going to help.
Yes, I am a cynical about all things Indian government does.
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OST ＠ C-DIT -
Raj Shekhar