[Telecentres] Re: Basic Telecentre Items - avoid open source debate

[Taran Rampersad]

ashish Saboo wrote:

>Anna, Taran, Toby 
>   I share the recurring theme of making ICT ubiquitous & affordable to all. Here I would like to draw your attention to a wonderful write-up titled:
>License fees and GDP per capita: The case for open source in developing countries by Rishab Aiyer Ghosh
>http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue8_12/ghos
>
Ashish,

I am familiar with this study, in fact I often quote it. However, I have suggested that we avoid this debate about these things because at this time we need to focus more on the abstraction of what a Telecentre is. Then we need to decide what the software must do, and then - and only then - should we evaluate the tools that will be needed and/or already exist. And then we can speak of the licensing of the tools. 

We're not there yet :)

To speak of all of this now can lead to discussion which can slow the process down... While I'm a Free Software/Open Source advocate, if we start this debate now I fear a lot of valuable time and energy will be lost before we accomplish anything more concrete. When we get to that bridge, we'll cross it... and we may find, if we are patient, that the Telecentres themselves will define what will be used by the nature of what they are. ;-)

-- 
Taran Rampersad

cnd at knowprose.com

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