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Macedonia Deploys 5,000 Ubuntu Desktops in Schools
vladoboss writes "The latest GNOME Journal is running a story about the deployment of 5000 Ubuntu desktops in public schools. The Republic of Macedonia is a small country in Southern Europe with a population of around 2 million. Internet penetration is only around 5% and software piracy rate is rampant. Also, the government does not play any major role in the development of the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and a private sector is dominated by Microsoft technologies. Given the circumstances, one would not expect any free software related stories to make the headlines. Yet the presence of a small volunteer organization by the name Free Software Macedonia is making a big difference in this small country."
Somehow, that doesn't add up too well. If only 5% of the country's 2 million people (that's 100,000 to you and me) have internet, how is software piracy rampant? Wouldn't it only effect ... umm ... 5% of the population, MAX? Probably less than half of those are even capable enough to find places to download hacked software/keygens, so we're down to 50k people, 2.5%, max.
Or does that suggest that bootlegging, not illegal downloading, that is the piracy problem? Because, if people without internet are using pirated software, then they've bootlegged it from black markets/friends most likely. Maybe that's a good bit of information to refute the RIAA/MPAA's so called "facts" about internet piracy of their products, to help get them off bittorrent's back.
I'm not counting on that though....
That goes without saying. Without the Flying Spaghetti Monster, there would be no free software
blessed is his noodly appendage
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was this Alexander's own idea? Or did Aristotle tell him to do it?