[Reader-list] Re: WB Govt ties up with MSFT

[Jeebesh Bagchi]

It is important to recognize that the explosion and expansion of 
computers in India has happened because of thousands of small 
entrepreneurs and technicians. These people through innovation and 
`illegal sharing` or  `restricted copying`  have helped the community 
of computer users to grow.

I think if the `free software users and activists` recognize this and 
act with respect towards this vast section, make available easy GUI 
documentation, installations and information then GNU/Linux or other 
`free` alternatives will flow in streets and lanes.

Due to the peculiar spatial concentration of vendors (e.g Nehru 
Place), information and utilities spread really fast - also people 
are innovative and are tired of NASSCOM threats!

All this talk about 'e-governance' should be taken with a pinch of 
salt. We have very few rights in terms of accessing information from 
the State and all this talk about e-governance is a smoke screen to 
create a new legitimacy for itself. They are not serious about it and 
OS freedom is the least of the problem!

Has anyone in the list gone through computer books and CDs supplied 
to schools these days? Lots of people are making lots of money and 
our poor students are struggling to remember by rote paragraphs on 
the mouse, scanner, printer, hard disk etc., etc.! Actually it would 
be quite funny if it wasn't so pathetic...

Cheers
Jeebesh