The Dream

Standard proprietary you-need-a-new-computer-every-few-years software is not a model that allows everyone to have a computer. A very bottom of the line Vista desktop from Dell costs nearly $500, so it is hardly realistic for everyone to own one. Linux and open-source software, however, present an alternative. Linux and most of its software are free and run on older computers, allowing anyone to install it on an old, discarded computer and donate it to someone not fortunate enough to own a computer.

The Problems

Much is said about this idea, yet little is said about the remaining flaws. If we don’t recognize the flaws, how can we improve? That, and Blog Action Day, is the point of this post.

1. It’s Not Microsoft
   Like it or not, Microsoft equals computers for a lot of people. While some may be open minded about software, many are suspicious of non-Microsoft software, perhaps believing that nothing that is free could be as good as Microsoft’s expensive software. Unfortunately, the only real way to solve this problem is to clearly explain how Linux and other open-source software came into existence, what its business model is, and/or just convince people to try it for themselves.
2. Education – Linux is not Windows
   People say they already know how to use “a computer,” but what they often mean is that they know how to use Windows. Anything other than Windows is “hard to use.” The fact is, Linux is not Windows. Thus, if someone has only learned how to use Windows machines, they will probably need at least a little help with Linux. The problem is who is going to provide that help. It is not very likely that everyone just happens to know someone who can help them learn Linux, nor is it particularly realistic to think that everyone being given a computer will also be given a personal, on-site Linux crash-course. The best thing would be to put some sort of tutorial onto the machines, but are people really willing to sit there and read through it and is it as good as being taught by a real person? Sure, you can learn Linux, or any operating system, on your own, as I did, but don’t expect everyone to want to, or even be willing to, spend time figuring this out on their own.
3. Internet Costs (suggested by zaine_ridling)
   The great thing about Linux is that it is free. There is no free internet, though, and without internet, you only get about half the advantage of your computer. You could tell people to go into a Starbucks, but then the computers you give out have to be laptops with wireless, not old desktops. Some people may be able to pay for dial up or even basic DSL, but most people probably cannot afford to do this. Having to support hundreds of people’s monthly bills is just not realistic.
4. Compatibility with Windows
   Most Windows software is not going to work under LInux and few people are going to be willing to go out searching for a Linux alternative. Worse, by default OpenOffice saves in a format that is not readable by Office. These sorts of problems, though they do have solutions, just make the process more complicated, unless you have a really good way of training the people getting the computers. See problem number 2.
5. Physical Distribution
   Standard desktop computers are big, bulky, and heavy. None of those bode well for shipping prices. Currently, it is basically only realistic to give someone a computer if they and the computer are within driving distance of each other.This is particularly a problem in parts of the world where it may not be common for anyone to have a computer. If shipping was free and there were no customs taxes, you could give your old computer to someone in the middle of no where. As it is, it would likely cost more to ship the computer than to buy a new one there.
6. Piracy
   Most people think of piracy as being something that the RIAA and Microsoft continue to fight in numerous stupid ways, but it can also be the enemy of Linux. If everyone just pirated Windows, Linux would lose a major edge. It is true that, for someone who cannot even afford a computer, it may be better for them to have a pirated copy of WIndows than nothing, but wouldn’t it be far better for them to have a completely legal system based on Linux?

In dealing with these issues, we must also remember that there has already been success using Linux to provide equal opportunity in many places by many people. Solving these problems would only increase the success. This is no reason not to strive to solve these problems, though.

The question I now pose to you is this: how can we solve these problems?