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Free Scientific Software for Developing World?
FlashBoltzmann asks: "I'm a physics student in the US working with a group
of physicists, mostly from Africa, who are interested in helping their colleagues on the continent obtain free software for
scientific and educational use. Often, many science
departments in Africa have little or almost nonexistent
funding to purchase new software packages, especially for
scientific research or education. Some know of the free
software available but say it takes up large amounts of time
over often slow internet connections to find and obtain it. I am asking for any recommendations on freeware or open source software, for any operating system, that anyone knows about. We are looking at the Debian version of Linux for a lot of the great software
that comes with it but resources for MS Windows would be
helpful as well."
"Free educational software of any level is appreciated though we prefer college and graduate level software. Also, field specific software is great, e.g. software for condensed matter physics. Eventually we'll probably combine the software on CDs to be distributed to these scientists. Any help is appreciated especially with programs that perform simulations, mathematical and statistical analysis and plotting, compilers, lab software, etc. The users of the software will most likely be physicists or mathematicians."
Ironically, with Bin Laden a) being suspected of having advanced weapons and b) being a millionaire, I don't think for-pay software is an impediment to him.
Frankly, when for-pay software is still cheaper than a few rifles, any third-world arms program isn't going to be hurting. Remember, warlords and tyrants skim the cash first-- and if they can afford to build the stuff, the software costs are negligible.
No, free scientific software really benefits education, schools that can't afford resources.
A.
You've really done it now... you posted a question to /. in which you referred to "the Debian version of Linux". Sorry, no relevant answers for you, all you get now is flames and trolls pointing out the difference between Linux distributions and versions of the Linux kernel.
-- If no truths are spoken then no lies can hide --
Terrorists exist because they come from uncivilized, barbaric nations.
Before oil was discovered, the Arabs were a nothing but a bunch of tribesmen fighting for whatever scraps of wealth that existed in their homelands. (Much like the Afghans today) Wealth was measured in access to water.
Once oil was discovered and began to be exploited, the more important tribesmen declared themselves "Kings" and had the money to purchase arms and artillery from Western nations so their rivals could be quickly squashed.
Terrorism of the Middle East variety is a problem because we send billions of dollars to uncivilized religous zealots with the social sophistication of someone from the Dark Ages. The petty kings of these countries live in splendor, while the regular citizenry live in oppressed squalor.
If you want terrorism to go away, don't do business with the Middle East. Buy oil from Texas, Alaska and Russia and encourage the government to give tax incentives for development of alternative fuels.
When the oil princes are bankrupt, terrorism will cease.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK