Interesting Perspectives Alex, I like the points you raise, another interesting perspective is the possibility of local assembly, we need to investigate what sent companies like Mercer packing and how we ended up in the prefabs era which have played a great role in increasing access due to reduced cost of ownership but killed local assembly, for as long as we procure we are likely to have pre-installed gadgets which will maintain the status quo. Best Regards On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 9:16 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru@gmail.com> wrote:
Listers,
In my view, the "merits and demerits" debate took in early (and was in June) 2005 at Mombasa during the finalisation of the National ICT Policy discussions. Back then pessimists folk posed whether Kenya needed "Penicillin" or "Pentium" prioritisation. Since the policy was adopted we have witnessed tremendous sector development that whomever asked the questions cannot deny. Today, eight years later, I opine that the debate deserves be "upgraded" as to whether the devices should installed with proprietary or Open Source Software. Someone in Boston US has already taken lead on the conversation (see below forward). I would be thrilled to see the Opposition take this as an issue in parliament:-)
"Selfishly," I would also like to see Open Education Resources(OER) courses among other Free Culture content pre-installed on the gadgets. This would save the childrens' minds from growing into proprietary ICT tools bondage. Free their young minds with Open software and freedom content!
My thoughts,
Alex
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <secretariat@fossfa.net> Date: Sat, Apr 13, 2013 at 1:35 PM Subject: Re: [Council] Laptops for Kenyans: liberating or subjugating? To: council <council@mail.fossfa.net> Cc: FOSSFA Council Chair <chair@fossfa.net>
Dear Council Members,
I received the message below from Dr. Richard Stallman yesterday. Any action to be taken on this? I have not responded to the email yet. A quick action on this will be very helpful and important considering that FSF is willing to partner FOSSFA in promoting Open Source in Africa.
Can we invite him to Idlelo 6 in Kenya as Special Guest?
President Kenyatta announced he would distribute laptops to Kenyan students. As you know, these could carry GNU/Linux and lead the students to freedom, or carry Windows and subjugate them. Or they could carry GNU/Linux and Windows, and in practice the students will mainly use Windows and be subjugated just the same.
Are you planning to make this a campaign focus? Can the FSF help?
-- Dr Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation 51 Franklin St Boston MA 02110 USA www.fsf.org www.gnu.org Skype: No way! That's nonfree (freedom-denying) software. Use Ekiga or an ordinary phone call
On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 8:40 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com>wrote:
Listers,
Seems we are on, the fact that the project is planned for 2014 provides more time for the assesment of its Merits and demerits.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000081696&story_title=Kenya-Uhur... .
Best Regards
-- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
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-- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/