buy a copy of suse linux - when i got it delivered (v8.2), it came with 2 good quality manuals - one was a user reference and the other an admin manual - good for me to read when i'm travelling and still want to hang on to my machines...
hurriedly pasted text (before we start getting the: bandwidth exhausted for the next millennium message)
By ECT News Syndication Desk
07/18/04 5:49 PM PT
There are many areas in which African countries, eager to move into this space, can carve out a niche for themselves. The lucrative call center sector is one such area. Creating an environment that makes offshore outsourcing in Africa attractive can have many positive spin-offs for the continent as a whole, not just in terms of increased employment, additional revenue and new skills, but also in terms of changing the perception the developed world has about Africa.
With the rising cost of local production and labor in developed countries like the United States, many companies, especially in the IT arena are looking to the developed world for answers -- and finding them. Countries like India have successfully positioned themselves as niche providers of outsourced labor in IT and are reaping the benefits. And, as analysts continue to predict a growth in this type of outsourcing, the opportunity is ripe for other developing countries to tap into this lucrative market. The question is: Can Africa capture a share of the offshore IT market?
US research firm Gartner Ine is predicting that the outsourcing segment will continue to outperform the western European IT services market overall, growing by 3.1 percent in 2004, then rising steadily during the next three years to an annual increase of 8 percent in 2007. Moreover, as a result of global outsourcing trends, Gartner predicts that up to 25 percent of traditional IT jobs in many developed countries today will be situated in emerging markets by 2010.
The move to offshore outsourcing is spurred on by increasing pressure on companies in the developed world to generate profits and reduce costs. Anton Groom of MBS Outsourcing says there is also a drive to follow the sun, to allow them to offer services 24/7 (24 hours, seven days a week). "It therefore makes sense to have offices located in the three primary time zones," says Groom.
He adds that with a client base expanding globally, it also makes sense to provide clients with a global delivery model. As the developing world gains momentum in creating pools of qualified, skilled talent, outsourcing to these regions becomes more attractive.
Following India's Lead
India has managed to create a niche for itself in this area, but it has not happened overnight. Amar Vakil, CEO of Lintas, a US-based management-consulting firm, and founder of the Foreign Investment Promotion Council, explains that there are specific factors that have enabled India to position itself in such a manner. These factors are predominantly a skilled workforce and appropriate infrastructure.
"Twenty to 25 years ago, India was an underdeveloped country. There was a brain drain of skilled labor to developed countries, where, for example there was a need for engineers," says Vakil. "Ten to 15 years ago, people like me, with similar backgrounds, decided to move back to India and there was a huge impetus from government to build world class communications networks. Government started dabbling with public-private partnerships, which now, after 10 or so years are proving very effective."
While this may not be easy to replicate, Vakil believes there are lessons to be learned from India and other countries like the Philippines which have attracted a strong outsource base. "The playing field is level. It is not India's game at all," he says. Although India was one of the first to position itself in this way, "there is an opportunity for other countries to tap into this potential".
Where India focused on information technology and software development, African countries wanting to tap into this opportunity will need to look at IP-enabled services.
Everdream founder and vice-president, Lyndon Rive, agrees that Africa can move into this arena. "Third world countries are getting educated enough to offer IT
case 1: i have done that (for personal use) - i own space on a server for my e-mails but i still use e-mail addresses from free providers - for a simple reason that i want to avoid junk on an account that I would like to hold for a longer time than the free email addresses that i can change at will - usually - getting the account deleted and then going back onto it after a few months...
however, the server that i own the space on can be snooped on by the sys admins working for the company that would usually be much more smaller than google and certainly less vigilant about the security of my data.
case 2: i used to work for a company where we used to lease a static (live) ip from our isp and had it connected it to an in-house webserver for downloading the mails - however, we used to face many a problems with our emails being bounced back when our servers were down. we had to move onto external webservers where another agency running a server farm would provide us the service - resulting in much better uptime but again - you do face snooping issues.
It is one of the BEST interfaces that i've ever used on the web (i've worked on around 30 internet/intranet applications and used around a 150 odd services on the web)
gmail is the best interface - speedwise and simple - also the shortcut keys make a lot of difference to your speed, once you get used it that is...
Quoting runbox.com
"Runbox is the Premium Email Service for personal and professional use. Subscriptions cost US$ 29.95 per year, with a 30-day free trial. "
This is so very true...
I have been using Linux since a long time now, but I also have been using windows machines at work and I also own a machine with win xp that came with it and I really like it - it's never - repeat - NEVER crashed on me. I update my suse every few days/weeks and do the same with the windows machine - and I have never had a virus even though my machine is connected via a static ip to the net for more than 12 hours a day! - regular patching and not installing *crap* pieces of software is enough to keep the machine stable.
i do not understand why do we people have to have a go at something coz it's owned by MS!!!
if u do a lot of browsing like i do and u dont have the cutting edge processors with tons to memory again like me - u're gonna love tabbed browsing - it's fast - very fast - if you know how to make the most out of it.
yes - technically firefox might have bigger benefits but this one is actually in-your-face all the time.
I have 3 machines with different versions of Fire****
IMHO, FireBird 0.7 is the best release of FireFox(?!)ever. (I can use it without installing!i.e: carry it on a USB disk and use it in any machine at anytime!!!-handy!)0.8 was okey and 0.9 on my new machine is a bit flaky, I have the same kind of experience like the other users here, I like the Fire*** stuff but the only thing is that: It has to be good at what it does, which unfortunately,at-present, it isn't!
So I end up switching in between IE and Fire(something) on all the 3 machines!!!
Also, does someone know when will 1.0 be out and what will it be called;):p
what am i gonna do if they don't convert my CPU Time into credits!!! Surely, wouldn't like to see the Total Credits: 0.00 (or near numbers) screen for more than a few days...
either they come up with a scheme to let me run my old client, update my CPU time and keep my bragging rights or i free up my cpu from whatever number crunching it is doing at the moment and give some rest to the enclosure fans...
and may be boinc is a project concieved and promoted by aliens, transported to us as telepathy in a bid for us to drop our search against them!!!?!!?
who knows....
you might say that today, but i'm sure you'll be shouting the loudest to put it under GPL when microsoft or other 'perceived' monopolies get away with it.
tried suse 9.1 and IMHO it's got better eye-candy out of the box than any other distro that i've seen. also the systems seemed pretty stable, though i'm still using 9.0 on my machine and sticking with it coz it's much better than other distros and programs don't crash as frequently as on other distros plus the updates are easier and straight forward with all of my updates working fine without any problems during or after update.
living
Gina Ramos, in my view, is entirely correct in pointing out the obvious cons of the entire exercie and as numerous polls seem to suggest that she is certainly backed by most people than the Scotts and not to forget...
"Tiger Woods hates this stuff," Harriman says.
is really the source that is compiled on a machine that will be using it optimized enough to warrant the administrator's time and effort in compiling code every time a small package change has to be introduced in the system?
not in my experience, i used compilations for a period of time before moving onto rpm based distributions, the dependency thing is annoying at times, but in short, it makes sure (almost!) that my system won't break down after applying the package.
the optimization in compiled packages either is nothing to write home about except when the system is so optimized that there is nothing else except this that can make the difference, which i am sure most of us will agree here, our systems need a lot more of housekeeping and time and effort to upgrade them to this status!
apple has always been about the experience, it has never stressed on being so technologically advanced (although it's always been one of the foremost innovators in the tech. field) where it forgets about providing users with uncomplicated, effortless and intuitive interfaces. apple is about new-technology wrapped in a great design leading to an experience that endears the user to the machine, and to the brand.
Slashdot Mirror
buy a copy of suse linux - when i got it delivered (v8.2), it came with 2 good quality manuals - one was a user reference and the other an admin manual - good for me to read when i'm travelling and still want to hang on to my machines...
hey mate i dont know about corporates but i'm on my way. ;)
hurriedly pasted text (before we start getting the: bandwidth exhausted for the next millennium message)
By ECT News Syndication Desk 07/18/04 5:49 PM PT
There are many areas in which African countries, eager to move into this space, can carve out a niche for themselves. The lucrative call center sector is one such area. Creating an environment that makes offshore outsourcing in Africa attractive can have many positive spin-offs for the continent as a whole, not just in terms of increased employment, additional revenue and new skills, but also in terms of changing the perception the developed world has about Africa.
With the rising cost of local production and labor in developed countries like the United States, many companies, especially in the IT arena are looking to the developed world for answers -- and finding them. Countries like India have successfully positioned themselves as niche providers of outsourced labor in IT and are reaping the benefits. And, as analysts continue to predict a growth in this type of outsourcing, the opportunity is ripe for other developing countries to tap into this lucrative market. The question is: Can Africa capture a share of the offshore IT market?
US research firm Gartner Ine is predicting that the outsourcing segment will continue to outperform the western European IT services market overall, growing by 3.1 percent in 2004, then rising steadily during the next three years to an annual increase of 8 percent in 2007. Moreover, as a result of global outsourcing trends, Gartner predicts that up to 25 percent of traditional IT jobs in many developed countries today will be situated in emerging markets by 2010. The move to offshore outsourcing is spurred on by increasing pressure on companies in the developed world to generate profits and reduce costs. Anton Groom of MBS Outsourcing says there is also a drive to follow the sun, to allow them to offer services 24/7 (24 hours, seven days a week). "It therefore makes sense to have offices located in the three primary time zones," says Groom.
He adds that with a client base expanding globally, it also makes sense to provide clients with a global delivery model. As the developing world gains momentum in creating pools of qualified, skilled talent, outsourcing to these regions becomes more attractive.
Following India's Lead
India has managed to create a niche for itself in this area, but it has not happened overnight. Amar Vakil, CEO of Lintas, a US-based management-consulting firm, and founder of the Foreign Investment Promotion Council, explains that there are specific factors that have enabled India to position itself in such a manner. These factors are predominantly a skilled workforce and appropriate infrastructure.
"Twenty to 25 years ago, India was an underdeveloped country. There was a brain drain of skilled labor to developed countries, where, for example there was a need for engineers," says Vakil. "Ten to 15 years ago, people like me, with similar backgrounds, decided to move back to India and there was a huge impetus from government to build world class communications networks. Government started dabbling with public-private partnerships, which now, after 10 or so years are proving very effective."
While this may not be easy to replicate, Vakil believes there are lessons to be learned from India and other countries like the Philippines which have attracted a strong outsource base. "The playing field is level. It is not India's game at all," he says. Although India was one of the first to position itself in this way, "there is an opportunity for other countries to tap into this potential".
Where India focused on information technology and software development, African countries wanting to tap into this opportunity will need to look at IP-enabled services.
Everdream founder and vice-president, Lyndon Rive, agrees that Africa can move into this arena. "Third world countries are getting educated enough to offer IT
case 1: i have done that (for personal use) - i own space on a server for my e-mails but i still use e-mail addresses from free providers - for a simple reason that i want to avoid junk on an account that I would like to hold for a longer time than the free email addresses that i can change at will - usually - getting the account deleted and then going back onto it after a few months...
however, the server that i own the space on can be snooped on by the sys admins working for the company that would usually be much more smaller than google and certainly less vigilant about the security of my data.
case 2: i used to work for a company where we used to lease a static (live) ip from our isp and had it connected it to an in-house webserver for downloading the mails - however, we used to face many a problems with our emails being bounced back when our servers were down. we had to move onto external webservers where another agency running a server farm would provide us the service - resulting in much better uptime but again - you do face snooping issues.
ditto!
It is one of the BEST interfaces that i've ever used on the web (i've worked on around 30 internet/intranet applications and used around a 150 odd services on the web)
gmail is the best interface - speedwise and simple - also the shortcut keys make a lot of difference to your speed, once you get used it that is...
Quoting runbox.com "Runbox is the Premium Email Service for personal and professional use. Subscriptions cost US$ 29.95 per year, with a 30-day free trial. "
gmail is free! (read: subscriptions cost US$ 0.0)
This is so very true... I have been using Linux since a long time now, but I also have been using windows machines at work and I also own a machine with win xp that came with it and I really like it - it's never - repeat - NEVER crashed on me. I update my suse every few days/weeks and do the same with the windows machine - and I have never had a virus even though my machine is connected via a static ip to the net for more than 12 hours a day! - regular patching and not installing *crap* pieces of software is enough to keep the machine stable. i do not understand why do we people have to have a go at something coz it's owned by MS!!!
if u do a lot of browsing like i do and u dont have the cutting edge processors with tons to memory again like me - u're gonna love tabbed browsing - it's fast - very fast - if you know how to make the most out of it. yes - technically firefox might have bigger benefits but this one is actually in-your-face all the time.
there no mention of linux vs. micro$oft in any of the posts until now, are the /.'ers changing habits?
maybe it's just trying to instill a sense of security - delaying it; yes - but will the changes be good enuf? i wont bet my money on it, will you?
hey thanks mate... i did not know that :-/
:)
(tapping fingers...) waiting for the 1.0 beta
I have 3 machines with different versions of Fire****
;) :p
IMHO, FireBird 0.7 is the best release of FireFox(?!)ever. (I can use it without installing!i.e: carry it on a USB disk and use it in any machine at anytime!!!-handy!)0.8 was okey and 0.9 on my new machine is a bit flaky, I have the same kind of experience like the other users here, I like the Fire*** stuff but the only thing is that: It has to be good at what it does, which unfortunately,at-present, it isn't!
So I end up switching in between IE and Fire(something) on all the 3 machines!!!
Also, does someone know when will 1.0 be out and what will it be called
what am i gonna do if they don't convert my CPU Time into credits!!! Surely, wouldn't like to see the Total Credits: 0.00 (or near numbers) screen for more than a few days... either they come up with a scheme to let me run my old client, update my CPU time and keep my bragging rights or i free up my cpu from whatever number crunching it is doing at the moment and give some rest to the enclosure fans... and may be boinc is a project concieved and promoted by aliens, transported to us as telepathy in a bid for us to drop our search against them!!!?!!? who knows....
can the next version please make coffee too?
you might say that today, but i'm sure you'll be shouting the loudest to put it under GPL when microsoft or other 'perceived' monopolies get away with it.
tried suse 9.1 and IMHO it's got better eye-candy out of the box than any other distro that i've seen. also the systems seemed pretty stable, though i'm still using 9.0 on my machine and sticking with it coz it's much better than other distros and programs don't crash as frequently as on other distros plus the updates are easier and straight forward with all of my updates working fine without any problems during or after update. living
when do we get hired by USA for outsourcing their elections and politicians?
Gina Ramos, in my view, is entirely correct in pointing out the obvious cons of the entire exercie and as numerous polls seem to suggest that she is certainly backed by most people than the Scotts and not to forget... "Tiger Woods hates this stuff," Harriman says.
jobs in the indian subcontinent qualify to be cribbed about here...
you know what - u might be absolutely correct on this!
is really the source that is compiled on a machine that will be using it optimized enough to warrant the administrator's time and effort in compiling code every time a small package change has to be introduced in the system? not in my experience, i used compilations for a period of time before moving onto rpm based distributions, the dependency thing is annoying at times, but in short, it makes sure (almost!) that my system won't break down after applying the package. the optimization in compiled packages either is nothing to write home about except when the system is so optimized that there is nothing else except this that can make the difference, which i am sure most of us will agree here, our systems need a lot more of housekeeping and time and effort to upgrade them to this status!
by the time its anywhere near to earth, we're going to have so much debris up there that this will probably hit the stuff and cancel itself out.
apple has always been about the experience, it has never stressed on being so technologically advanced (although it's always been one of the foremost innovators in the tech. field) where it forgets about providing users with uncomplicated, effortless and intuitive interfaces. apple is about new-technology wrapped in a great design leading to an experience that endears the user to the machine, and to the brand.