Dear Linux-ers,
I have the rare privilege of getting the attention of someone who frames technology policy for India. I have been asked to prepare a document in 1000 ASCII characters or less, that makes the case for Linux. My contact is highly educated, yet not very technical. Here is the document I wrote. In Open-Source-style, I am opening it up to the public, before I submit it to the powers-that-be. Please, help me improve it!
Thanks,
- Ashwin.
#########BEGIN
Open-Source Software ( Linux ) is peer reviewed by the public, and is generally considered more secure than Closed-Source Software ( Windows ), which is reviewed by the company that made it. Windows has gained a stronghold since Linux became comparably user-friendly much later. Linux is free to download and use indefinitely.
China is realizing benefits by adapting to this changing technology landscape, and standardizing on Linux. This gives China a significant advantage in security, and education, and goes a long way towards ending their financial dependence on foreign software.
Our government is driven on vehicles whose engines can only be fixed by paid foreign mechanics. Our cars should be opened to Indian mechanics.
Microsoft Office, and Windows are opaque to our students. Chinese students will gain an edge on us by using Linux, an operating system whose source they can freely study, improve, and share.
Open-Source Software in government and education is recommended.
#########END