[Fwd: Re: [Fsf-friends] Linux Technology Extension(LiTE) centre]

[Raj Shekhar]

[Forwarding on behalf of OST @ C-DIT]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Fsf-friends] Linux Technology Extension(LiTE) centre
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:57:45 +0530
From: OST @ C-DIT <ost@cdit.org>
Reply-To: ost@cdit.org
To: rajshekhar@hotpop.com
CC: ostcdit@rediffmail.com
References: <1098251044.2235.15.camel@localhost.localdomain>	 
<41772CA1.4070107@hotpop.com>

On Thu, 2004-10-21 at 08:57, Raj Shekhar wrote:
> OST @ C-DIT wrote:
> > Hai Friends,
> >    One of the strong criticisms against the free softwares is the lack
> > of technological support for those choosing to adopt it. The Centre for
> > Development of Imaging Technology, an autonomous centre under Govt of
> > Kerala is coming up with a creative response to the criticism by
> > establishing 100 Linux Technology Extension (LiTE) centres all over
> > Kerala. 
> 
> [snip]
> > These centres will
> > initially provide installation, trouble shooting, and user training for
> > Linux and Open Office. In the next phase they will also be equipped to
> > give support for development of free software solutions.
> 
> [snip]
> 
> Things seem a bit odd here.  The schools (both public and private) teach 
> Microsoft technologies and the government is planning to start Linux 
> support centers.  Where will these centers find manpower to provide 
The staff of these centres will be given amble training in GNU/Linux
technologies.

> support ?  Or will the old Indian "connection" (or jugaad .. if you 
> understand hindi) come into play for hiring?
sorry, I am pretty weak in Hindi.
> 
> Personally, I had a hard time finding good (or even average) PHP 
> programmers for my company.  Most freshers had been taught ASP/JSP, 
> since that was "prescribed" in their college.  Have you thought of this 
> part of the problem ?  Personally, I think the schools should start 
> teaching perl/python instead of Basic.  Colleges should start teaching 
> QT/wxPython for GUI design.  However they cannot. Why ? Because they do 
There are persons who are very much expertised in the above fields. only
problem is you have to find them. The Schools and Colleges will start
teaching PHP, Qt, Python, etc.. only if the industry demands for such
subjects. The Kannur University in Kerala is already conducting course
in GNU/Linux and associated free software. The PG courses in this
university is based on Free Software. But still the students in the
first batch couldn't find good jobs in this field.

> not have teachers.  A bit of a chicken and egg problem.  And opening 
> LiTE is certainly not going to help.
We are very much optimistic
> 
> Yes, I am a cynical about all things Indian government does.
C-DIT is not an India Govt organization. It's a autonomous body under
the Govt. of kerala.



-- 
,-.___,-.  Raj Shekhar
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