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System Software

Notes What Ubuntu 11.04 brings is the opportunity to disrupt the status quo, where the majority
of users simply stick with Windows. Rather than a loveless decision to replace the machine
with another Windows one because that's all there is - there is a chance to make a really
individual choice that has big advantages in terms of look, feel, and how the system
operates.
In my experience, once a person settles down with an open source operating system,
he/she starts enjoying the benefits and would rarely ever switch back to a proprietary
system. They find that they are out of the endless cycle of planned obsolescence in the
proprietary world, where newer versions are released.

The new version has, for example, a new format which is not actually needed. Now they
have to get the new version of the software because everyone is sending them newer files.
To get the new version they need to upgrade their operating system for which they need
to buy new hardware. With open source operating system, they are out of this endless
loop. In the open source world, LibreOffice supports the oldest and the newest file formats.
What are the main drivers of the growth in the open source OS market?
Open source operating system provides a completely legal alternative to pirating
proprietary software. It works well, is virus-free, and can be installed on as many computers
as you like without worrying about legal issues.
Also, open source software, such as Ubuntu, is becoming much more appealing to wider
consumer audiences, as it is easier to use. This means that, today, a user doesn't have to
understand code, or be technical to use open source operating systems to receive all the
benefits.
At the same time, open source operating system continues to provide a solid platform for
power users who want to download an open source operating system because they want
to write code, customise it, develop new applications and functionality, and generally get
under the hood.
Can you tell us about your experience in the government IT space? What are the challenges,
expectations and savings?

Many governments are deploying open source technologies such as operating systems
because they directly lead to significant cost savings of tax payers' money. Part of the
government's challenges has been deployment on a large-scale.
Canonical has helped it address this by working closely with OEMs and providing a
customised image, which has all the necessary drivers and applications required for their
users. In India, we have engagements with Dell, Wipro, Lenovo, HCL, and eSys. Many of
the states expect good support for local language, and open source projects can ensure
quick and accurate translation through local community involvement, which makes it
easy for anyone to modify an open source operating system and localise it to their
requirements. In India, for example, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Gujarat are some of
the states that have large Ubuntu deployments.

Do students benefit from an early exposure to open source operating system? How?
We have found that students with early exposure to open source have a deeper
understanding of technology. The nature of open source allows students to take a peek at
the code and see - and get excited about - how things work.
Today, students are not just users of technology, but they also want to have an
understanding of how things work internally. Many of them end up developing their own
Contd...

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