This is my first post here in last may be 4-5 years. I stopped posting and reading the ilug-bom mailing lists when I left Mumbai in first quarter of 2003. I have re-joined the list two days back and am happy to see that the list is still active. Though I have not seen any technical discussions going on. But I sure I will see something good soon.
My reply to the thread:-
Government can hire people for support. Two advantages this way:
1. They will get talented people on board and the cost of support this way will be less then what they pay to the proprietary players for support and consultancy. 2. They are creating jobs which is good for them to use as a card for the next election.
-- Regards Pankaj
On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 8:32 AM, Vikram Vincent vincentvikram@gmail.comwrote:
And that can change if we get a non-west-looking proprietary-hating government. Somewhat like what happens in Russia and China?
Please dont consider China or Russia as role models. They only used FOSS / Linux to hold Microsoft at ransom. It was a mere ploy to get Microsoft to reduce its pricing in their country and especially for the Chinese government. Russia too is heading the same way.
So what is wrong if they use licensed versions? It is not illegal. As pointed before, the FOSS community need to set up more companies to provide support etc.. Without the support backbone it will be illogical to criticise Govts. for not adopting FOSS.
And at least those Govts. know how to get the price reduced. Our Govt. likes to pay on the higher side of the MRP ;) -- http://mm.glug-bom.org/mailman/listinfo/linuxers