Zambia: open source
Written bySokari Ekine
Zambian blogger, Real Life of a Journalist argues for the use of open source in Africa as the best alternative for women and children……”Free and open source software Foss is the way of the future in terms of making technology accessible to neglected groups such as women and children in Africa.”
Written bySokari Ekine
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Of course Foss *can* be of benefit to neglected communities, but there are so many other considerations–Foss is not a silver bullet. First, they need access to durable, sustainable computing hardware. Second, the hardware is useless unless there is useful content–content which is largely available through a web browser and Internet access. Then we can worry about the supporting software outside of a web browser and content reader.
Furthermore, the connection between openly modifiable software and the ultimate benefits to neglected communities is striated and convoluted. Will there be localization of Open Office to Maasai? Unless they get an army of hackers with the will and force of, for example, a Wycliffe International, it’s not going to happen.