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Requiring Software Freedom

Posted by timothy on from the freedom-and-compulsion dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes: "CNET is carrying a story about the increasing momentum that Open Source software and 'Software Libre' are gaining in Latin and South America and Europe. A certain company from Redmond WA USA is mentioned several times in the article as the impetus to free foreign governments from certain onerous licensing agreements (not to mention the cost savings involved). It is interesting that some of these governmental entities are actually requiring the use of Software Libre, not just encouraging it. Maybe it's time to visit Rio?"

2 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. more than just economic issues by beanerspace · · Score: 3, Interesting

    While one cannot pooh-pooh the vast economical savings of using 'alternative' operating systems to mickysoft's, I suspect that some of the reasons may also be cultural.

    Certainly, one can buy the version of the MickySoft OS product. However, with Linux, one can alter it so it not only speaks one's language, but so it reflects the way one is raised to think ... which may not always be left-to-right, top-to-bottom, red-white-n-blue the way God intended it, US of A type approach.

    Another thought is that it could be attractive because it is easier to get talent from a variety of people in a variety of countries, without all the hassle of regulation that encumbers even the most generous employer (especially here in the U.S.).

    It may also have to do with the fact, and I'll need some help from you foreigner types, that us Americans want our individual PC's on our individual desks in our individiual cubicles as opposed to some X thingie who's processor ias a II instead of a III after it (unless of course you are a geek god, who is then granted a IV from the pointy heads in those aquarium like offices).

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    healyourchurchwebsite.com - WWJB?
  2. How long before M$ calls the WTO? by bridgette · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If Massachusetts can't refuse to do business with Burma, California and Canada can't ban specific chemicals and the EU can't refuse to purchase homone fed beef or genetically modified foods, then odds are, the WTO isn't gonna go for these governments banning closed source software.

    http://www.indg.org/Burma.htm
    http://www.ratical.org/co-globalize/WTOandWar.ht ml
    http://www.zmag.org/Bulletins/peffwng.htm

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    - bridgette