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."

Comments

Reasons to not bother with Windows

[wrinkledshirt]

I know this isn't entirely the point of your question (and more than a little bit of this is motivated by my anger towards MS's recent settlement), but I just thought I'd put forward the idea that you shouldn't bother with Windows at all.

If you're hurting for cash for software, the outlook is probably not all that great for hardware too, right? The cutting edge of Linux and the various BSDs all run well on hardware that the latest Windows versions cough and sputter on.

Also, providing a Windows learning environment is only going to encourage use of Windows down the line, which will require further investments, software AND hardware upgrades etc.

If you're working with a blank slate, and these people need training anyway, might as well put it towards something that won't come back and make serious demands on your checkbook. Save the money for additional learning resources, a CD burner to replicate software for yourself (this is legal with the Linux and BSD OSes), etc. Don't go down the proprietary road, or else soon enough you'll be dealing with the same MS-driven crap the entire Western world is trying to handle right now.

Re:Reasons to not bother with Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

I know this isn't entirely the point of your question (and more than a little bit of this is motivated by my anger towards VA's recent settlement), but I just thought I'd put forward the idea that you shouldn't bother with Linux at all.

If you're hurting for cash for software, the outlook is probably not all that great for hardware too, right? The cutting edge of Windows and the various DOSs all run well on hardware that the latest Linux versions cough and sputter on.

Also, providing a Linux learning environment is only going to encourage use of Linux down the line, which will require further investments, software AND hardware upgrades etc.

If you're working with a blank slate, and these people need training anyway, might as well put it towards something that won't come back and make serious demands on your checkbook. Save the money for additional learning resources, a CD burner to replicate software for yourself (this is legal with the Windows and DOS OSes), etc. Don't go down the proprietary road, or else soon enough you'll be dealing with the same VA-driven crap the entire Western world is trying to handle right now.

A better solution

[sharkticon]

Rather than let these scientists continue to work where they lack any kind of facilities, why not bring them over here to the US to work instead?

After all, even with this initiative the fact remains that these people will remain lacking the best tools of their trades - a lot of this software is most definitely not free! And by being stuck in places cut off from the rest of the world they lose out on the chance to engage other scientists and join in the scientific process.

No, it would be much more beneficial to let them come and work in the US at some of our wonderful research facilities. Not only would it help their scientific skills to flower in the right environment, but it would also offset the brain drain our great nation is suffering thanks to the perception of science as being less important than greed.

Re:Do we want advanced scientists working overseas

[the eric conspiracy]

I say keep the third world in the dark ages.

So we will live in perpetual fear of madmen like Bin Laden?

Until we have enlightenment on a global basis, we are all in danger of falling from civilization.