Slashdot Mirror

Quite a few people in India are beginning to switch to Linux. To be honest, I haven't actually tried looking in shops for Linux, but Ubuntu ships free CDs. You can also try linuxbazar.com; I bought some CDs from them, and they say they ship to Pakistan too.
Usually, Linux enthusiasts are more than willing to copy their CDs for just the cost of CD, so unless the dealers are charging only 15 Rs for Windows (that's less than 33 cents in USD!), I think Linux might still be cheaper.
As for open-source in general, it's already widespread — lots of people use Firefox, Gaim, etc on Windows.
Also, the government (NASSCOM, actually) has started to crack down on piracy, but I don't know how much of an effect that has.
All in all, I think open-source can easily become reasonably common here within the next couple of years or so. (Or am I being too optimistic?)

The entire IT + Outsourcing sector is 4% of India's GDP. About 60% of that sector is software & services and the remainder of the 40% is almost equally split between hardware (18%) and outsourcing (22%). So I am not sure that there will be a "cascading collapse" of the economy.
I can understand that a 4% drop in GDP, the vanishing of an entire industry and the consequent unemployment, etc. can be a major problem... but how realistic is a _complete_ move out of India?

Data source: http://www.nasscom.org/artdisplay.asp?cat_id=809

80%? Where'd you pull that number out of? Nasscom link.

Quick, what's China's anti-piracy hotline? Microsoft's doesn't count.

The picture is tainted. IT services make up less than 10% of India's GDP. Even though India might not represent a big market opportunity right now, but it is among the fastest growing market in every field - cars, cellphone, computers.

I know that sentiments have arisen against India and rest of the developing nations, because till now they were considered 'lowly' due to their track record in Manufacturing sector but suddenly they are showing competition in the Services Sector. Anybody loosing jobs would feel the same and anybody would sure turn to be protectionist. This has been happening from a long time in every country. But the idea of open and free markets has not been invented by the developing nations, that was an expoitative idea of the developed nations now their very own discovery hurts. Believe me it's no fun here also, seeing the traditional knowledge getting patented. America, Japan, Europian Countries are not puritans, we have all exploited others when we have got a chance.

But to make the matter simple, to prove ourselves mighty we don't need to ridicule and insult others. It would be a very very political, sentimental and stupid statement that the developed nations don't get anything back from them.

Just the telecom sector from India alone gives millions worth of contracts to CISCOs, NORTELs, ALCATELs, LUCENTs and many more of the developed worlds. Companies like Samsung, Sony, LG are happy to see their sales reports every day. The GMs, TOYOTAs, SKODAs, FORDs are seeing such a great response that they are planning to set up the manufactiring hub to cover these developing nations. MacDonals, Dominos, Pizaa Huts are crowded and every big retail chain company wants to set up base in these countries. The tourism industry is exited to see the upswing and luxury and speciality spas are increasing their counts. Adidas, Nike, Reebok for your information don't sound foreign brands now.

Your comments seems to be more emmotional than an educated comments. I don't know how you have reached to the conclusion that there is no economic integration. For your information a developing nation like India invests more in developed nations like UK and not vice-a-versa.

You say that quality is not good, if that is true then I think MNCs like Microsoft, Cisco, Alcatel, Nortel, Texas , etc. should be given a lesson in quality as they have development centers and R&D hub set up in India. Is that just for qualityless labour or quality IP (Intellectual Property). I agree, there might be some exceptions, but mind it those are the exceptions.

Why do you think that Malaysian worker can't buy a mighty Adidas. Are you aware that some of the devoped nations are the most exiting markets from FMCG to Luxury Goods and Services. Please open any good magazine and newspapers, you will not only find Adidas, but Toyota, GMs, Armani, Gucci and whatever you can think of.

We don't need to reinvent us somewhere else. Restart your thinking process. Remember the Sun Rises in the East. Please click here for enlightment

So dear lets not fight, if we wanna play the game lets opt for a level playing field. If you are superpowers of this world that does not mean that you can just exploit other like anything and cry and howl when face the competition from other side. How many of you have raised any question to your Political Leaders when big multinationals play dirty games and exploit third world countires.

First learn and try to become the free global citizens and nations of the world, till then stop preaching about free and global trade.

Nasscom has an interesting viewpoint on the benefits to the US from H1Bs and outsourcing. By saving costs, US businesses can actually avoid laying off workers, despite a bad economy. Not only that, the US does $3 billion a year in high tech exports to India. Plus we need not mention that H1Bs still contribute to US taxes and consumption, and that many very large US tech companies were started by immigrants.

I realize there are real issues with high-tech globalization, and it is easy to scapegoat particular groups of people during economic downturns, but for every down point there is an up point, and the US will benefit from a global economic integration and growth over the long term.

Uhhh, because they've undercut American and European workers?

• http://www.zazona.com
• http://www.nasscom.org

China is really waking up to the language barrier. China has woken up to the competition it faces India. It has already introduced English in Primary education. Here, India is getting very hostile to China's competition to India's crown jewel. In fact, the hostility is so high, that the entire media here had made an issue of allegation about the chinese company, Huawei Tech links with the taliban. The Indian software industry dissmisses it threat.

No one takes Dewang Mehta seriously out here. His organisation NASSCOM doesn't even know how to run a Web site. See what I mean: http://www.nasscom.org http://nasscom.org

Kiran Jonnalagadda

No one takes Dewang Mehta seriously out here. His organisation NASSCOM doesn't even know how to run a Web site. See what I mean: http://www.nasscom.org http://nasscom.org

Kiran Jonnalagadda

Everyone.. please note that it is NOT the Indian Government doing the hiring here. It is actually a private organization called NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) that is doing the "hiring".

Check out either this article or this one to find out that its not "India" doing the recruitment but an independant association

H1-B's are all forced back.

A few hundred Indians look around and say "this sucks".

Venture capital becomes the fund du decade on the resulting startups.

New Delhi becomes Silicon Valley, 2004.

Already a nuclear power, India becomes an economic one as well.

Pakistan is not amused.

Can you say "Israel II: Electric Boogaloo"? I knew that you could.

My .02,