Hi,
I have been following the pieces on convincing the Govt. to use GNU/Linux very closely. First, the factor of spending US$ is a logical one. Second, use GNU/Linux for most of my work and the learning curve has been steep-but I enjoy it. Ideally the Govt. should use GNU/Linux. But I wonder if the point just ends there.
Leave training the babus apart, someone or some pressure has to be put for learning things. Who'll do this? Perhaps we could make a easier to use interface for the babus to use. But many people still doubt the capabilities of loosely connected programmers using the Net to develop real life programs. Linux itself has been through this stage.
Its my general observation that many people who do use Linux and related technologies in the ring mainly do so because of the sense of adventure of trying something out thats cheaper, powerful, open and scaleable. Also there is a huge amount of self-motivation involved. On the other hand people generally get attracted to Windoze because of the eye-candy. They say it's more productive.
Still, I see people around me in offices and big firms with a Compaq or an MNC brand desktop catching dust (*Kya karu Amol seekhne ko time nahi milta*). I see training camps that are arranged for people to get on to the new electronic system-happy smiles during the lunch and after a day or two everyone snaps back to the old method of work, the lunch digested well.
Sometimes its just the other way. Firms think their new software is rancid (*grrr... Amol I can't even enter a mobile number in it*). They go for a new system with guarantees of SLAs and a thousand pages of Requirement Specs and a dozen of prototypes are tested. The thing ships. Somehow people are just not enthusiastic about it anymore. They know deep inside that there's been a mistake somewhere but they refuse to accept it. They still get the work done somehow with a Chandu from the Software Devloper's on permanent deputation in the firm. I have seen most of the projects on Windoze come to this.
So I think the issue is far from convincing here. It's more about motivation and taking interest. If we can make the babus feel motivated to make the decision, there will be no reason why they wouldn't make it. Of course, someone will have to make the applications for them probably without any of the above glitches and deliver it in time. Maybe making and supporting applications for a sum will be a place where the almost undoable babu-hunger can be satisfied in someway.
I feel this area is a bit more sensitive. Probably because our Govt. can take the responsibilities and shove it on to other peoples backs. The Armed forces have suuferred a plenty because of the glitches higher up. But here, the babus themselves will have to use the things they pay and decide for. No matter what the platform-who will save the babus if they are not motivated?
Amol Hatwar.