Posted on Monday 12th of February 2007 at 09:16 in Linux

Linux gains strength in Africa

Chris from inpics.net contacted me a while ago to bring me to the attention of the latest submission on their picture-driven site about how a school created a new computer lab without buying computers, software, or books. I fear you already know the answer - yup, it was FOSS to the rescue.

The best publicity
Not only is this the best publicity but it highlights the strengths of the Linux approach; free software that runs on old hardware. Perfect.

Education, education, education
And no I'm not referring to Tony Blair's speech oh so long ago where he expressed an undying urge to improve the UK's education system. I was actually referring to the key task in bringing third world nations to their feet. Education.

You can argue until you're blue in the face as to what is the best course of action for third world countries but I find it vital that they educate the upcoming generations in technology (where applicable). The world is becoming so computer oriented, to fall behind more would be devastating. Therefore I see education around computers is always going to be a good idea.

How else could this be done?
Than on aging hardware using free software? Throw Edubuntu and OpenOffice at the problem and you have a mind-numbingly cheap solution.

I think you'll agree that this is a cause worthy of some loose change so have a wander over to inpics for the full story and a link to the team involved.

 

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