Free Software Compulsory in India!

[din]

I also agree with the point - Forcing is never a good thing. Let it may be Lin / Win / Mac or whatever.

But many users here pointed teachers show only CLI and students may get borred of it. That is NOT true. As per the syllabus in Kerala state, they are learning basic things which a desktop user should know. They are not learning CLI at all (when it was win 2-3 yrs back, they were not learning DOS either). Main things are - Graphic softwares (including GIMP), Office suits, HTML, Some basic programming / logic stuff. And nothing else (information form my bro-in-law whos a high school teacher in Kerala - physics / IT).

Of course people can argue students wil miss the beuty of CLI. But IT came to the syllabus in Kerala schools 2-3 yrs back only, so they may change the syllabus to include more in the future.

So at present they will not miss the eyecandy at all. But they will sure miss the MS stuff - for the time being.

Another thing, is its just like a political revenge !!! 2-3 yrs back, Govt was of other party and they promoted only MS and nothing else in Kerala. Opensource movement people contacted the Govt / Acadameic people, but they never care and all were using MS products. Now it just got reversed as people in power changed !! Of course, both attitudes are not good, I was just explaining how it happened.

[infra_red_dude]

Originally Posted by din

But many users here pointed teachers show only CLI and students may get borred of it. That is NOT true. As per the syllabus in Kerala state, they are learning basic things which a desktop user should know. They are not learning CLI at all (when it was win 2-3 yrs back, they were not learning DOS either). Main things are - Graphic softwares (including GIMP), Office suits, HTML, Some basic programming / logic stuff. And nothing else (information form my bro-in-law whos a high school teacher in Kerala - physics / IT).

then i think this initiative is fair enuff. coz here linux is used only as a base OS about which nobody is bothered. they are not teaching linux, they are teaching the use of computer and some apps. so it doesn't matter whether they use windows or linux. the apps here are imp. not the OS. so it makes sense to shift to linux and save $$$.

[kumarmohit]

^^^ What! They are not teaching the CLI, this proves it. The people who make the curriculum do not have only one thing, brains .

But if its the apps they are teaching, why force the move to linux, most of the software is cross platform. Mobilization of resources to ensure that GIMP and the other stuff runs, when it can easily run on what they have presently seems crazy. Why move to Linux when you do not want to teach it? And why force the move on everyone!

Huf well, the Kerala govt is communist. The communists have always thought to have a divine monopoly over what is good and what is right. But then the divine monopoly is an irony in itself considering that communists do not think that there is something like Divine or divinity.

[infra_red_dude]

Originally Posted by kumarmohit

Why move to Linux when you do not want to teach it? And why force the move on everyone!

to cut down the cost incurred in purchasing windows!

[faraaz]

Screw it...force the students to learn Linux. The average Joe Blogs doesn't care what he uses as long as he can get his work done. My mom uses email and chatting to stay in touch with me. She doesn't care if its Firefox on Windows or Firefox on Ubuntu...

I think this is a great idea. All you fanboys can just suck it! haha!

[praka123]

it is completely wrong to associate communism with FOSS.this is software freedom what RMS & co proposing.we must acknowledge his fight against the devil(microsoft) like ppl throwing stones at Jamra while in Mecca.

I hope all the pcs transferred to Linux+oss softwares,it saves money,ppl learns community support and the basic of FOSS ideology.above all a superior Operating system with Linux.
earlier it was pc=windows was the condition.and hence M$ became the monopoly os maker and creates fanboys who says familiar is easy!
Now this is the time gov must change the policy to enforce Free Software in India.good job!
wrong,wrong -the guy is completely addicted to M$FT and windows!.
I hope he read Linux is NOT Windows article,@kumarmohit must read this!
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

[din]

@kumarmohit

Your point about forcing is correct, however

1. The syllabus is IT and not Linux, I mean Linux is not included in the syllabus and students are not going to learn anything about Linux right now. By the IT in school, they are giving just an introduction to computers and related stuff.

2. This is going to change as they are going to revise the syllabus and curriculm. They are planning to include more open source things within 3 years (you can see the link from thread starting part). So teaching Lin, CLI everything may come to Syllabus, but not right now.

3. Introducing things in openourse OS - cut down the cost, OS does not matter much, and may be Govt against MS - political reasons.

4. Two-three yrs back, everything was in Windows in schools. At that time Windows was not included in curriculum either. I mean no DOS, nothing speficic to win. Only the graphic tools, office suits, etc. So that part hasn't changed at all.

5. There are people from different political beliefs here. So please refrain from making comments on politics ! Please stick on to the topic.

6. I am curious about other states. I know CBSE / ICSE etc schools teach computers more, may be more programming etc. But any other state syllabus, they included IT as a main subject ? if so, what are all things they teach in classes 8,9 and 10. This is just to compare, as I do not know how things in other states. If anyone has some information, please share here.

[amitsurana]

Its like you "force" kids to "learn" and "memorize" the *free software*.

I don' agree to this move.
I believe awareness must be created but as subject its not gud...

I don think the prof or teacher who will take up this subject will be a openSource technoloy user......

[din]

@amitsurana

Please go through the posts above. Theres nothing like forcing as per the syllabus.

The graphics tools, browser, html, office suits - everything is same in Win and in Lin. So the OS has no importance at all.

[amitsurana]

@above

So then wat s the use of calling it an free software subject thingy if u wanna teach HTML, graphic tools, etc....

[din]

They are learning

Open office (writer, calc, impress etc), GIMP, Xpaint (or the paint tool in Lin), HTML editor in Lin, Browsers - All are open source.

Just coz they are not learning about Linux does not mean that they are not learning opensource things. Yes, all these will work in Win but

Win OS = Rs.3500 or high per PC

Lin OS = Rs 30 or less (CD cost) and it is for all PCs

Simple isn't it ? (This is not the only reason too)

This is just a beginning. They may introduce CLI or more about Linux etc, but not right now. Of course, you know how sloe the Govt changes syllabus etc.

PS : Please do not think I am supporting Govt forcing sudents. I am not in favor of that. I was just explaining why OS does not matter in this case. And as per the syllabus we can't tell it is forcing too. Thats the point I wanted to tell.

[praka123]

^but they are asking why do we left windows afterall windows is everything! we need to pay/pirate windows to help IT industry growing//sarcasm

[kumarmohit]

it is completely wrong to associate communism with FOSS.this is software freedom what RMS & co proposing.we must acknowledge his fight against the devil(microsoft) like ppl throwing stones at Jamra while in Mecca.

heaven forbid me, attaching communism is to linux is a shame infact its ms who is more like commie. coz just like communits they beleieve in total control over everything. Linux is all abut democracy and freedom. Its just by chance that Linux is being implemented by commies.

@infra -

to cut down the cost incurred in purchasing windows!

@praka

I hope all the pcs transferred to Linux+oss softwares,it saves money,ppl learns community support and the basic of FOSS ideology.above all a superior Operating system with Linux.

Would movement return the money already spent, No. Then why not just use Linux on new systems where money is not yet spent to buy windows. Why move all and waste public money on movement process. Even if Linux is free, movement is going to cost is it not.

30 Rs + the money they have to pay to those who should install and maintain the system They spent 3500 to buy windows and sy 500bucks for installation etc. Now they spend 500 more(leave the CD out). Why? We are the people who paid tax. Are they not responsible to us.

I hope he read Linux is NOT Windows article,@kumarmohit must read this!
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Thanks for the link, just FYI I am also related to a particular FOSS project called ReactOS. So I know abt the difference. Please keep evangelization aside for a moment.

but they are asking why do we left windows afterall windows is everything! we need to pay/pirate windows to help IT industry growing//sarcasm

Why do you think in extremes, like a sith lord, if you are not with me, you are my enemy. I am not against Linux but I am more with Freedom of choice and govt accountability. It is the tax money they are wasting in moving the systems to linux, when the same FOSS solutions are available for all other platforms.

I will again make my points clear:

1. The act of government forcing Linux down the throat is wrong. Linux and Foss are about choice, not monopoly and that too forced.

2. If you do not want to teach linux at this point, why waste public money on moving the systems when the same new FOSS solutions are available on all presently used platforms. Just make sure that all the new systems come with linux. We do not have money to waste like this.

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by kumarmohit

Thanks for the link, just FYI I am also related to a particular FOSS project called ReactOS. So I know abt the difference. Please keep evangelization aside for a moment.

What/How are you contributing?

[din]

Originally Posted by kumarmohit

1. The act of government forcing Linux down the throat is wrong. Linux and Foss are about choice, not monopoly and that too forced.

OK, I got where you are confused

1. Govt is not forcing schools or students NOT to buy Windows. If the schools has money, there is no problem, they can buy. Thats it. Now, the present scenario. The huge majority of the PCs which were running on Win 2-3 yrs back - were all pirated !! I am not saying 100%, but a huge majority. The schools ask for quotes and local computer shop people get the PCs and you know it very well - how many will have Genuine Win. And not all schools bought all PCs. They are still buying it, so it is not like all PCs are there alreay, only OS is new. Not like that.

Practical test (final IT exam) will be on Lin platform. thats the main thing. And as I mentioned before, it does not matter much. Coz the apps matter not OS.

Originally Posted by kumarmohit

2. If you do not want to teach linux at this point, why waste public money on moving the systems when the same new FOSS solutions are available on all presently used platforms. Just make sure that all the new systems come with linux. We do not have money to waste like this.

First, as I mentioned before, it is not really a shift from Rs.3500 waste to Rs.30 ! Its just a shift from piracy to Lin

Regarding open source. As you very well know opensource is not just Linux operating system. The apps are open source too. They are learning opensource apps and not learning Lin - does not mean that theres no movement.

See, the Govt introduced the IT in curriculum just 3 yrs (If I remember corectly) back only. And all these people (ministers, top officials etc) do not know much on this, NGOs, ILUG people, various orgranizations etc help Govt to make it a success. So it will take some time to modify the present syllabus, add more etc.

And it is never a waste. If we can't complete a big task in a single day - does not mean that that day is wasted. Its a good beginning and sure it wil ltake time.

If Govt need a 50-50 for Lin n Win, they will have to spend a lot of $$$ for schools for buying Win. So schools also will be happy now !

One more thing - Whats so wrong in teaching the apps alone ? Should we force all students to learn internals of Linux or CLI ? 100 % of the students will go to computer field after the school days ? I do not think so. But on the other hand, majority of these students will be using computers in various fields. May be for office work, may be for internet, graphics or something. So evenif they are not learning everything about Linux in school, its a good thing they learn how to use the apps.

[infra_red_dude]

@kumarmohit
and you know how frequently the school PCs are upgraded or get new ones! so keeping the current ones as it is and getting linux wid new PCs may take a long long and long time. as din said, most of the windows installation (yes, even in my school) are pirated. so i think its a good move.

[gary4gar]

Originally Posted by infra_red_dude

@kumarmohit
and you know how frequently the school PCs are upgraded or get new ones! so keeping the current ones as it is and getting linux wid new PCs may take a long long and long time. as din said, most of the windows installation (yes, even in my school) are pirated. so i think its a good move.

Very true...
Piracy is got into the roots
All my system in my college are running pirated windows
when i asked my teacher about this she said "Do we need to pay for software also?"

[kumarmohit]

Originally Posted by mehulved

What/How are you contributing?

By publicising the product., its not that only people who know programming can contribute. If I remember correctly I was one of the first persons who brot the attention of this forum and digit to reactos.

@ Rest of All:

If it is coz z the windows or watever they use is pirated, than I am totally with it. After all it is implementation of law against piracy.

[mehulved]

Going a bit OT from this discussion. I happened to have a look at my sister's computer book. I was surprised to even see the mention of linux and solaris within Operating Systems. They've even mentioned linux as a GUI OS. Even the word GPL has found a mention. There's also a mention of KDE as a GUI, but not of GNOME or others though. Still, quite a big thing of mentioning even this much to students of BBI. And much better than what it was at out time. Our professor had told us that "Windows NT is the best server OS created so far."