Linux Spreads Its Wings In India
Windows is still No. 1, but open-source software is moving into schools and
government offices
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| India is shaping up to be a key battleground in the global assault of
| Linux. The country's long history of snarling at corporate interests,
| its widespread poverty, and its nascent PC culture make it fertile
| territory for the communitarian ethic of the upstart computer operating
| system. Two years ago, New Delhi said the best way to improve computer
| literacy in India was to adopt open source software in schools. Although
| Kerala is the first to introduce such a program statewide, 18 of India's
| 28 states either are using Linux or have pilot projects for its use in
| various government departments and schools. The education ministries in
| most states, and in Delhi the federal ministries of defense, transport,
| communication, and health, are all using the software on server
| computers. And eight state governments have put their treasury operations
| on Linux, while the western state of Maharashtra is using it to revamp
| health-care systems. India "is one of the key countries I have been
| focused on," says Scott Handy, IBM's global Linux boss. "India has been a
| star.
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http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_40/b4003069.htm
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