Triplesourced
Reporting, musing and not to mention some random scribbling on tech issues from green/sustainable IT to security. (http://adonoghue.wordpress.com/)
Tuesday 6 November 2007, 9:13 AM
More on the Mandriva vs Microsoft in Nigeria issue
Our colleagues in the new world at ZDNet US have managed to bag an interview with Mandriva chief executive Francois Bancilhon to talk about the Linux distro being gazumped by Microsoft in Nigeria. Some 17,000 Intel Classmate machines were sold to Nigeria running Mandriva but at the 11th Hour - the government decided it wanted to run
Windows on the machines.
For his part, Bancilhon admits that Microsoft had been in the running from the beginning but the decision to swap providers at the last minute was a real shock. There may be a chance that the deal can still be saved - but no one is holding their breath.
The interesting angle explored by ZDNet blogger Christopher Dawson is that of localisation:
I asked Mr. Bancilhon specifically how he addresses OSS detractors, many of whom say that kids should be using Windows anyway to prepare for what they are likely to see in the “real world”. His answer surprised me, but actually made a lot of sense. He reminded me that there are currently 8000 languages spoken on Earth. If, as predicted, by the end of the century, 6000 of these will disappear, there will still be 2000 languages spoken worldwide; Windows is currently available in about 50 languages. The solution, therefore, as he sees it, is not to have 1 software manufacturer, but to offer open solutions so that local people can be involved and do their own localizations and distribution. His final statement on the matter reads like a company slogan, but certainly isn’t a bad banner behind which OSS supporters can stand. His solution is to “replace monopoly with choice.”
When I asked him about the future of OSS in developing markets and potential segmentation (e.g., education vs. private sector), he reiterated that the value of Linux is in its suitability for extensive local customization. Different segments of each market obviously have different needs, which can be met by local partners. As he noted, the right way to enter this market is through education. “People are smart enough to move from one system to another,” he said. Clearly, whatever platform they start on, appropriate education should allow them to be effective users of technology. He drew a parallel to learning multiple languages and the advantage that offers for students.
Windows on the machines.
For his part, Bancilhon admits that Microsoft had been in the running from the beginning but the decision to swap providers at the last minute was a real shock. There may be a chance that the deal can still be saved - but no one is holding their breath.
The interesting angle explored by ZDNet blogger Christopher Dawson is that of localisation:
I asked Mr. Bancilhon specifically how he addresses OSS detractors, many of whom say that kids should be using Windows anyway to prepare for what they are likely to see in the “real world”. His answer surprised me, but actually made a lot of sense. He reminded me that there are currently 8000 languages spoken on Earth. If, as predicted, by the end of the century, 6000 of these will disappear, there will still be 2000 languages spoken worldwide; Windows is currently available in about 50 languages. The solution, therefore, as he sees it, is not to have 1 software manufacturer, but to offer open solutions so that local people can be involved and do their own localizations and distribution. His final statement on the matter reads like a company slogan, but certainly isn’t a bad banner behind which OSS supporters can stand. His solution is to “replace monopoly with choice.”
When I asked him about the future of OSS in developing markets and potential segmentation (e.g., education vs. private sector), he reiterated that the value of Linux is in its suitability for extensive local customization. Different segments of each market obviously have different needs, which can be met by local partners. As he noted, the right way to enter this market is through education. “People are smart enough to move from one system to another,” he said. Clearly, whatever platform they start on, appropriate education should allow them to be effective users of technology. He drew a parallel to learning multiple languages and the advantage that offers for students.
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