Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Thin Client With OSS for Developing Nations

Posted by Zonk on from the spreading-the-penguin-love dept.

FridayBob writes "The BBC has a story on a new, ultra-thin client that a group of not-for-profit developers, Ndiyo, hope will open up the potential of computing to people in the developing world. Not surprisingly, their system uses open source software. The system runs Ubuntu Linux with a Gnome/KDE deskto and OpenOffice. From the article: 'Licences for software are often a significant part of expenditure for smaller companies which rely on computers. But a recent UK government study, yet to be formally published, has shown that open source software can significantly reduce school budgets dedicated to computing set-ups.'"

6 of 252 comments (clear)

  1. Thin clients for models by dotslashdot · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about thin clients for models? They regurgitate whatever information you feed them.

  2. Wow by Lukesed · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have no idea what this story is about. Seriously.

  3. TCO by xx_chris · · Score: 3, Funny

    100 pounds!? Don't they understand that by using open source software their total cost of ownership will be much greater than if they used Windows. Get with program, poor people. Make Bill richer.

  4. Who's behind this.. by swab79 · · Score: 1, Funny

    I wonder if Mark Shuttleworth has anything to do with this? What with the Ndiyo being another african word...

  5. Re:The third world need wireless mesh. by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Funny

    "No, the third world needs a source of clean drinking water..."

    Yeah, it's such a pity that OSS developers can't write clean water.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  6. Re:Nice by KermitJunior · · Score: 2, Funny

    I like the nick. It speaks volumes for your comment. :)

    --
    There is a Universal Life Value Check it