Information Technology is currently a major concern of developing countries. It is a technology vital for development but the cost is high and implementation not easily achieved. A related issue which few developing countries have fully confronted is that of copyright and illegal copying of software. Complying with international standards means ending widespread copying of software endemic in most developing countries and the prospect of very high and recurrent software costs. Other problematic issues are security and virus problems.

A recent development which is attracting much interest, especially in developing countries, is that of open source software and the Linux operating system in particular. This type of software goes along way in helping to resolve the issues mentioned above. A brief look at some issues follows.

Cost and copyright - the cost of the such software is usually just the distribution costs or nothing if downloaded. It can be copied and, generally speaking, used freely with no restrictive copyright problems. While there will be training costs these can be met in local currency.

Security and virus issues - there are no widespread viruses for Linux systems which are also verysecure. A large fraction of internet servers use Linux. No antivirus software is needed.

Reliability - the Linux operating system is very reliable and stable. It does not need to be reinstalled periodically and does not crash or hang up.

Adaptability - the hardware requirements are not high. Existing computers are easily used without buying new systems. Linux systems integrate well into networks of computers running Microsoft Windows.

Applications - there are many applications available for Linux systems. Many are free and open source while others are regular commercial software. However there are Windows applications which may not have a satisfactory Linux version yet. The reverse can be true also. There are good word processors and spreadsheets for Linux which can read and write formats used by Microsoft Windows equivalents.

Support - support is available, locally and internationally, often free of cost.

Promotion of local IT sector - due to the open and cooperative nature of most open source programming it is easy for local programmers to get involved in adapting or developing software.

Linux and the open source movement have been developing rapidly in recent years and are now seen as serious competitors to Microsoft. There are millions of users world-wide.

IBM and Oracle are now among the 'big names' supporting Linux and have released Linux versions of their database server products.

A high-powered lab has been set up to encourage open source development and research. Among the sponsors are Dell, Fujitsu, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Intel, NEC, Mitsubishi, Red Hat and SGI.

The National Security Agency (NSA) of the US has just released a version of Linux with enhanced security for use in government service.

A recent IDA Symposium on the use of Open Source Software in public administrations held in Brussels proposed that: "Public administrations should be better informed about the availability of IT solutions that are based on open source software."

Major developments in government and education using Linux are being worked on in India, China, Brazil, France and Mexico.

According to market-researcher International Data Corp. ?Linux garnered a 27 percent share of operating-system software for computer servers sold last year, up from 24 percent in 1999 and 17 percent in 1998, Linux is one of only two major operating systems gaining market share.?

India and Brazil are both soon to market low cost (US$200 or less) computers using the Linux operating system.

Reading

Linux gains corporate respectability - http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2705804,00.html

Government expert backs open source - http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/1999/50/ns-12266.html

Some benefits of Linux - http://sunsite.dk/linux-newbie/Linux_benefits.htm

European Union working group on libre software - http://eu.conecta.it/

National Security Agency (NSA) Security (USA) -enhanced Linux - http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/

Linux spreading rapidly in Latin America - http://www.itworld.com/Comp/2362/LWD010424latinlinux/pfindex.html

Open Source Development Lab - http://www.osdlab.org/

Open Source Initiative - http://www.opensource.org/

The Simputer Project - low cost computer  (India) - http://www.simputer.org/

Linux Africa 2001 conference site - http://www.linuxafrica.co.za/