Cuba is Switching Government Computers to Linux

[kidicarus20]

HAVANA (AFP) - Cuba will gradually switch to the open-source
Linux operating system for its state computers, eliminating its exclusive use of Microsoft Windows, the government daily Juventud Rebelde reported.

Roberto del Puerto, director of the state office of information technology, told the daily that Cuba already has about 1,500 computers using the Linux system, a free operating system whose technical data is open for public viewing.

Del Puerto said his office was working on a legal framework that would allow the replacement of the Windows system.

Although Windows is used on about 90 percent of the world's personal computers, some governments and large organizations have switched to the free Linux system or have threatened to do so to get discounts

Full Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050517/tc_afp/cubacomputersitlinux)

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Good News.

[apathy maybe]

Me thinks it is time for either another thread about the benifits of Free Software (http://www.gnu.org) or to dig up an old one.

Free Software is about freedom not price (though it is that too), it is about the freedom of not having to worry about vender lock in, abandonment of a project etc.

Yay for Cuba using Linux, now for everyone else.

[marxist_socialist_aussie]

that sounds really good. While I do not use Linux, I really like the idea of it and have started doing a little bit of experimentation with it. Microsoft is simply too predatoristic and really, Bill Gates striked me as essentailly, the ultimate in greedy capitalists. Good on you Cuba, wish more would follow that example.

[patria grande]

I few days ago I read Brazil will do the same in its
government and public schools PCs(more kids will be able to learn computer skills)
Good news for Brazilian children!!!! :D

[El_Revolucionario]

Wonderful! I hope other countries will follow the example.

[OleMarxco]

Any PC with Linux, is another number added to the soldier's fighting the good, few-sided minority of the conflict. Crush the oppressors of teh evol Microsoft "majority"! Cuba leads on :D

[NovelGentry]

God damn... if there was any time I should move to Cuba, it should be now to help out with the switch -- too bad my Spanish isn't better.

[codyvo]

Well thats good news, but I think everyone should use Macs instead of PC's, I'm not huge on computers but their are a lot of advantages to using Macs, and the US government would use them except corporate big-wigs and the Bush administration have a pretty close relationship.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Macs!? Don't say that dirty, dirty word ever again.

[Fidelbrand]

They should also use Mozzilla Firefox. Billy the Gates is working for crony capitalism, and information to U.S. is at leak --> at ALL TIMES~~~~~

[codyvo]

Originally posted by [email protected] 30 2005, 11:32 AM
Macs!? Don't say that dirty, dirty word ever again.
So you'd rather buy Bill Gates' daughter a 19th house, we shouldn't pour money into PC's. Macs are easier to use and have much better workers policies.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Originally posted by codyvo+May 31 2005, 03:24 PM--> (codyvo @ May 31 2005, 03:24 PM)
[email protected] 30 2005, 11:32 AM
Macs!? Don't say that dirty, dirty word ever again.
So you'd rather buy Bill Gates' daughter a 19th house, we shouldn't pour money into PC's. Macs are easier to use and have much better workers policies. [/b]
But the trouble is Macs fucking suck. Hardly any decent programs for it (If you want compatibility get Linux!) Macs are for 'artsy' types, and I ain't artsy.

[ErikuSz -sXe-]

Originally posted by patria [email protected] 29 2005, 06:26 PM
I few days ago I read Brazil will do the same in its
government and public schools PCs(more kids will be able to learn computer skills)
Good news for Brazilian children!!!! :D
And good for the future.
Teaching kids to use Linux will encourage them to use it in the future because they are already familiar with it.

I don't expect any European or US schools to make that sort of change any time soon.

[NovelGentry]

If you put Linux on it you don't give bill gates a dime. Microsoft is in the software business... there are vendors who will sell you PCs without an operating system. And for all the newbs out there, Linux runs on Macs too.

[KptnKrill]

People actually still use windows? I thought that was done away with a while back...
Maybe I've just been hanging out with the pro-oss crew for too long :|

[Jawnnyh]

know whats great? Xbox with linux :P

[guerillablack]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2005, 11:27 PM
People actually still use windows? I thought that was done away with a while back...
Maybe I've just been hanging out with the pro-oss crew for too long :|
Yeah i think 90% of computer users use windows.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

The trouble with Linux is that despite what the linux nerds will tell you, it is not easy to use.

If somebody were to make a ready-made Linux-based windows clone that was easy to install, Linux might see more takers among the less technically orientated.

Most people don't have the time to dick around compiling their own programs, they just want to play games and go on the internet.

[restin256]

The trouble with Linux is that despite what the linux nerds will tell you, it is not easy to use.

It's easy to use, it's just that it takes a bit of time and working to get it to function the way someone wants it. Every time I start my computer, I have to open a Konsole and manually mount my second hard drive. Of course, I could have this done automatically, but that would take some RTFMing. Point: Linux isn't that hard to use, once you get used to it, but the hoi polloi isn't exactly ready for it until someone makes a way to easlier solve Dependancy Hell (some people don't bother learning the basic "apt-get" commands).

[tondraal]

I use Windows XP, because of some games (yeah I play for about an hour a day in a clan) who uses windows...

I also ha ve Red Hat Linux...when I will be buying a new disc or a new computer..then Linux will be my priority. :ph34r:

[apathy maybe]

Easy to use (and install) Linux Distributions (in no signifigant order)
http://www.xandros.com/
http://www.mandriva.com/products/101
http://www.linspire.com/
http://www.knoppix.org/ (a live CD, just put it in and reboot your computer)

(Besides, have you ever tried installing Windoze? First you install it (it doesn't play well with OSs you already have), then you install a shit load of patches (if you don't get infected before you manage it. Then a firewall and antivirus (woops, was too slow, a worm got me). Then the rest of your software. Then you try and run it without admin privliges (what do you mean I can't run MS Money in User Mode).)

[Jawnnyh]

Linux hard to use? did u ever try KDE???

[The Z-Man]

Amen to Linux.

[Jawnnyh]

Yep :D

[Red Heretic]

PC with Linux > Mac

EDIT: By the way, does anyone know when Fedora Core 4 is supposed to be released?

[D_Bokk]

A college in Oklahoma uses OpenOffice and Linux. Some places use it in the US, but not as many there should be. Only a matter of time though...

http://business.newsforge.com/article.pl?s...033252&from=rss (http://business.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=05/03/30/2033252&from=rss)

[Le Libérer]

Originally posted by guerillablack+Jun 25 2005, 08:06 PM--> (guerillablack @ Jun 25 2005, 08:06 PM)
[email protected] 31 2005, 11:27 PM
People actually still use windows? I thought that was done away with a while back...
Maybe I've just been hanging out with the pro-oss crew for too long :|
Yeah i think 90% of computer users use windows. [/b]
I can attest to that. I work for a dsl tech support company. More than 90% of the calls coming in have windows as their OS. Whats so funny is the other techs on the floor, squirm when there is a Mac call. I keep telling them, Macs are THE easist to troubleshoot! Just reboot and call it a day!

[Anarchist Freedom]

Good News.