2010 August 28 archive at Robert Pogson

Archive for August 28th, 2010

India

Published by Robert Pogson August 28th, 2010 in technology. 20 Comments

India is the “I” in BRIC, that group of countries with a rapid growing economies through huge populations, rapid change in technology and growth in GDP. ZDnet had a round-table discussion of admins in Mumbai. They seem to love GNU/Linux on desktop and server but are having some difficulty with users not wanting to change. Companies that started small and grew with GNU/Linux have no problems but those that are already locked-in have a struggle to change. None expressed love for M$ and its rigidity. see http://www.zdnet.com.au/indian-admins-love-linux-stuck-on-windows-339305491.htm

It’s a different world here. No one loves that other OS and they will change to get better performance.

- Robert Pogson

Silver Linings

Published by Robert Pogson August 28th, 2010 in Linux in Education, Teaching and technology. 0 Comments

When I was a child I was told “Every cloud has a silver lining”. It’s true. In the midst of the chaos in my life a cleaning lady approached me before I even reached the school and asked, “Do you fix computers?”. Debian GNU/Linux Squeeze is sliding onto her machine as I type. My web cache is still in storage so the packages are coming from York University at speeds over 300 KB/s up to 1000 KB/s. I cleaned her machine with some compressed gas and checked it out. Dual core with 1gB RAM. The only problem is a conexant modem for which we can get a free 1/4-speed driver. GNU/Linux is in demand here. It sure beats hundreds of dollars of freight and service charges.

- Robert Pogson

My Mission

My observations and opinions about IT are based on 40 years of use in science and technology and lately, in education. I like IT that is fast, cost-effective and reliable. I do not care whether my solution is the same as yours. I like to think for myself.

My first use of GNU/Linux in 2001 was so remarkably better than what I had been using, I feel it is important work to share GNU/Linux with the world. I have been blessed by working in schools where students and school systems have benefited by good, modular software easily installed in most systems.

I have shown GNU/Linux to thousands of students and hundreds of teachers over the years and will continue in some way doing that until I die in spite of the opposition.