On Thu, 2005-01-06 at 10:57, sherlock@vsnl.com wrote:
But in brief
- The individuals involved in piracy dont care. Their interests lie
merely in making a fast buck.
Involved in what way? It is the customer who ultimately takes the decision if he wants to pay or get grey stuff. 'Free' software is not charged for, so no one is making money on it. The only one making money is the pirate.
- Many in this posts seem to think that since piracy is the norm it
has to be acceptable.
No that is not true. What is however true is that piracy has kept software prices low and more affordable. If there was a software sourcing monopoly, it would kill the customers. Without 'competition', the customer is at the mercy of the software company.
- Many in this post think that people with poor tech skills are not
to blame for their woes.
Thats not true either. Every skill is important and yet different in its own way. Everyone is playing their role in promoting the computer industry. The software guys do it by writing programs and hardware drivers, the hardware guys do it by assemblying the hardware, loading the programs and drivers, installing and configuring the system at the client's place. The h/w guys also maintain the system under AMCs. The s/w guys keep developing new software and drivers. The s/w and h/w guys don't need to pull each other down, they need to work in tandem.
So Cyber cafe assoc describe your setup Get your members to accept that they will not use illegal software Tell us what is the SLA u want and the price u are willing to pay.
Thats a good suggestion.
Rony Bill, Crishna et all Tell us your SLA and your charges Tell the cybercafe boys what hardware he should buy or better still what hardware u will sell him. What backend services and systems you will provide.
I am not involved with cyber cafes. What is SLA?
I have some suggestions for a practical solution to this vexed issue.
1.The software experts in linux on this forum could have a meeting with the Lamington Road dealers or the Association itself and get atleast a few of them to tie up for selling linux compatible hardware. The investment is totally the shop owner's. For a reasonable fee decided between them, they will provide the dealers with information on the hardware's compatibility with what linux version, provide drivers which can be resold to the h/w customers for a small fee. This will kill two birds with one stone. Provide income to the software writers and provide linux ready h/w to the customers. The names of the shops should be advertised on this forum.
2. The LUG-BOM site itself could provide a source of lugger written drivers for a small/tiny/teeny-weeny affordable fee. The other luggers including I, can give their requirements for drivers they need for commonly used hardware and peripherials.
This should go a long way in making linux more popular in Mumbai atleast and keep everyone smiling and happy. :-)
Regards,
Rony.