Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
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Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
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Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#2In Soviet Russia, source open you?
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#3There have been numerous attempts to move to open source in Russia. Most of them failed.
Example: Linux in schools.
1. Teachers don't know much about linux
2. Computers aren't fast enough to work with GNOME (which is default in most packages they install)
3. Kids don't get it. Open office is the only familiar-looking application there.
4. They won't be able to apply their skills anywhere
add: 5. Microsoft makes some generous discounts. Simply because something is worth more than nothing. Piracy is very widespread here (this part is changing on corporate level, though).
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#4I don't think Microsoft will let that happen. In Poland such initiatives ended with Gates or Ballmer making a visit, shaking hands with few officials and jointly announcing renewed bond.
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#5Bill Gates is probably getting onto a plane for Russia about now, to make Putin an "philanthropic" offer he can't refuse. That's usually how it goes.
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#6There have been numerous attempts to move to open source in Russia. Most of them failed. Example: Linux in schools. 1. Teachers don't know much about linux 2. Computers aren't fast enough to work with GNOME (which is default in most packages they install) 3. Kids don't get it. Open office is the only familiar-looking application there. 4. They won't be able to apply their skills anywhere add: 5. Microsoft makes some…
I can see those being setbacks, but on each point:
1. I'm not sure on the situation in Russia, but in the US, a lot of teachers don't know much about Windows or OS X either, but unless something breaks they wouldn't have to.
2. Gnome's memory footprint is rather large, sadly. Depending on whether the Russian authorities roll their own custom distro or image though, they could use XFCE instead.
3. As things move more towards the cloud, I think that kids would mostly just have to learn how to use a web browser. Those are mostly the same on all modern platforms.
4. Having to learn something new is not a useless skill. Being able to use more than one platform demonstrates the ability to adapt to change. That's a useful skill to have.
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#7There have been numerous attempts to move to open source in Russia. Most of them failed. Example: Linux in schools. 1. Teachers don't know much about linux 2. Computers aren't fast enough to work with GNOME (which is default in most packages they install) 3. Kids don't get it. Open office is the only familiar-looking application there. 4. They won't be able to apply their skills anywhere add: 5. Microsoft makes some…
A country-wide move would make Linux being learnt in school much more useful. However, if the systems used in school are low powered and using software like, say, LXDE and then moving to Compiz-powered GNOME in situations where the specs work, would anything be accomplished?
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#8Putin already has enough money from gas'n'oil, he doesn't give a shit. And it's not about money, it's about power.
Talking bout piracy - there is majority of illegal software in business, universities and schools. Not to mention homes. I'm talking about Windows, Office, Photoshop, Games. Even the biggest Russian social network (vKontakte) is currently largest unlicensed mp3/video storage.
I always wondered, what they need OpenSource for.. Maybe it's like Medvedev's obsession with Skolkovo - the new Silicon Valley, which will never ever happen. While there obviously are bright minds here - they tend to leave the country.
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#9There have been numerous attempts to move to open source in Russia. Most of them failed. Example: Linux in schools. 1. Teachers don't know much about linux 2. Computers aren't fast enough to work with GNOME (which is default in most packages they install) 3. Kids don't get it. Open office is the only familiar-looking application there. 4. They won't be able to apply their skills anywhere add: 5. Microsoft makes some…
I can see those being setbacks, but on each point: 1. I'm not sure on the situation in Russia, but in the US, a lot of teachers don't know much about Windows or OS X either, but unless something breaks they wouldn't have to. 2. Gnome's memory footprint is rather large, sadly. Depending on whether the Russian authorities roll their own custom distro or image though, they could use XFCE instead. 3. As things move more…
I've worked in education, and if something in Windows breaks the teachers wouldn't know what to do anyway.
From Neal Stephenson:
Prospective station wagon buyer: "I know what you say is true...but...er...I don't know how to maintain a tank!"
Bullhorn: "You don't know how to maintain a station wagon either!"
Re: Putin Orders Russian Move to GNU/Linux
#10There have been numerous attempts to move to open source in Russia. Most of them failed. Example: Linux in schools. 1. Teachers don't know much about linux 2. Computers aren't fast enough to work with GNOME (which is default in most packages they install) 3. Kids don't get it. Open office is the only familiar-looking application there. 4. They won't be able to apply their skills anywhere add: 5. Microsoft makes some…
I can see those being setbacks, but on each point: 1. I'm not sure on the situation in Russia, but in the US, a lot of teachers don't know much about Windows or OS X either, but unless something breaks they wouldn't have to. 2. Gnome's memory footprint is rather large, sadly. Depending on whether the Russian authorities roll their own custom distro or image though, they could use XFCE instead. 3. As things move more…
Yup, every point is solvable. Thinking of how life changed between 2007 and now, I can imagine how in 2013 we'd have linux in bigger cities, but not earlier.
1. I believe you still need someone to maintain the system and someone to teach how to use it. This makes a requirement of at least one unix specialist (informatics teacher) per school. Takes a lot of time to train them but not impossible.
2. Probably faster hardware and unix specialists could make a distro fast enough for education (is edubuntu such a distro?)
3. Most schools have some crappy connection, though (128 kbit/s). Some schools don't have internet at all; however, those aren't very well equipped with computers anyway.
4. You're right. However, some people expect a person out of school to have some computer literacy and experience with whatever they use at work. And most of "them" use microsoft solutions for office.
5. I added a point to the initial comment. It is probably cheaper to have microsoft products now. Especially, considering support and retraining costs for open-sourced software.