Blog Action Day: What are the obstacles to using open-source to combat poverty?
On October 15th, I will be participating in Blog Action Day. (Click on the banner above to learn more.) The idea is that on one day – October 15th – a large number of blogs will dedicate that day to discussing this year’s issue, which is poverty. Since it is not yet October 15th, you may be wondering why I am posting about this.
This year I want to take a different perspective on a standard idea: using open-source software to help create equal opportunity for those in poverty or who simply don’t have enough money for a new computer. Since many members of the Linux community have probably been involved in (or know someone who has been involved in) projects aimed at giving open-source software to those who cannot afford traditional software, I would like to pose the following question:
What obstacles, either technical or otherwise, still exist to successful use of open-source software by those who may not be able to afford standard proprietary software?
Please leave a comment or use the contact link at the bottom of the page to tell me your answer.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
The only obstacle of some people I know is an internet connection. A lot of Americans live far below the median-income split, and their monthly budget choices do not include things like internet access or even cable TV.
I’ve helped by donating roughly one computer a year to poor and lower middle class families. Before doing so, I install a good Linux distro (like Ubuntu or SimplyMEPIS) loaded with everything they need to do school work, read books, watch movies, and play games.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
PS: I’ve only had one complaint from a family and it was last year. They wanted Windows and I told them that I couldn’t afford to buy them a license for it. They wanted me to pirate it and load it anyway. Told them they could run most any Windows program they want with Wine, and if not, I’d be happy to give the computer to someone else.
They kept it.