Cuba is preparing to quit Windows and avoid Microsoft

Cuba is preparing to quit Windows and avoid Microsoft

It's a measure aimed at breaking the dependence on programs that are
under the control of US owners and also anticipating any claims by the
patent's owners for the use of this system in Cuba.

Cuban authorities are seriously preparing to quit the Windows operating
system and use the GNU/Linux free software instead, thus avoiding any
sanctions for using this computer system by the Windows´ owner, the
giant Microsoft Corporation.

More than 3 800 technicians have been already trained in the country,
and Ciego de Ávila, located in the mid eastern part of the Island, is a
good example of this. In that province, there are around 600 people
taking intensive 4-month courses to learn about the use of Linux and
replace the Windows operation system.

It's a measure aimed at breaking the dependence on programs that are
under the control of US owners and also anticipating any claims by the
patent's owners for the use of this system in Cuba, which cannot be paid
because of the US commercial embargo, among other reasons.

That is why the Cuban authorities have decided to train their
specialists by delivering the Linux and the Computer Operator for Linux
courses that started at the end of 2005.

Last Sunday, September 9th, the country celebrated the 20th anniversary
of the foundation of the so-called Computer Club for the Young; and idea
that was promoted by the Cuban president Fidel Castro.

On Saturday, the Cuban leader sent a message of congratulation to this
IT organization, which has thousands of members across the country, as
well as state-of-the-art equipment and professors that teach about the
different digital techniques.

Linux came out as a free alternative to the Windows program created by
the Bill Gates´ company, and it provides users with the freedom to
access its source codes and to modify them, thus enhancing the privacy
of information. And it's all totally free of charge.

The software was created in 1991 by a Finnish student called Linus
Torvalds. Among other advantages, it allows compatibility ¨with the
equipment we have in the country and its immunity to the majority of the
computer viruses¨, says the newspaper.

Source: By Pedro Falcón, Cubanow
Submitted by editor on Sat, 2007-09-15 09:47.

http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2007/09/15/5806/cuba_is_preparing_to_quit_windows_and_avoid_microsoft.html