[Forwarding on behalf of OST @ C-DIT]

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Fsf-friends] Linux Technology Extension(LiTE) centre Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:57:45 +0530 From: OST @ C-DIT ost@cdit.org Reply-To: ost@cdit.org To: rajshekhar@hotpop.com CC: ostcdit@rediffmail.com References: 1098251044.2235.15.camel@localhost.localdomain 41772CA1.4070107@hotpop.com

On Thu, 2004-10-21 at 08:57, Raj Shekhar wrote:

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

The staff of these centres will be given amble training in GNU/Linux technologies.

support ? Or will the old Indian "connection" (or jugaad .. if you understand hindi) come into play for hiring?

sorry, I am pretty weak in Hindi.

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

There are persons who are very much expertised in the above fields. only problem is you have to find them. The Schools and Colleges will start teaching PHP, Qt, Python, etc.. only if the industry demands for such subjects. The Kannur University in Kerala is already conducting course in GNU/Linux and associated free software. The PG courses in this university is based on Free Software. But still the students in the first batch couldn't find good jobs in this field.

not have teachers. A bit of a chicken and egg problem. And opening LiTE is certainly not going to help.

We are very much optimistic

Yes, I am a cynical about all things Indian government does.

C-DIT is not an India Govt organization. It's a autonomous body under the Govt. of kerala.