| Linux tech center planned for Baghdad, seeks textbook donations |
Mar. 12, 2004
The LUG of Iraq is establishing a Linux Center in Baghdad to conduct training in all levels of Linux usage, administration, and development. With a mission to launch a Linux-based training lab and a lending library, the organization seeking global assistance in setting up the program.
Ashraf T. Hasson, one of the founders of the Baghdad-based Linux Users Group has commented that a migration strategy is not necessary in Iraq and open source Linux can penetrate the market before users get "locked into something else."
The Iraqi Linux Group is educating people in Iraq about Open Source and Linux, hosting its first seminar at AL-Nahrain University in Baghdad on the 17th of February 2004. Al-Nahrain University and Baghdad University are being tapped to host Linux training classes, according to the LUG.
Today in Baghdad, up-to-date PC hardware and software is readily available say organizers of the program, but computer books are difficult to obtain. The Freedom Technology Center and bookcrossing.com members have teamed up to host an event at the end of this month that will ship computer books to Iraq's Baghdad Linux Center.
Donations of good computer books to help foster Linux and software education in Iraq are currently being accepted at the new Mountain View, CA-based Freedom Technology Center, a new non-profit IT training facility. The center will be hosting a fundraiser and drive for books on Friday, March 26 from 9 AM PST through midnight.
One restriction on donations to Iraq includes the US export ban on cryptographic software. Because most current OS distributions contain some cryptographic software, distributions and CDs included in some texts will not be permitted.
For more information about how you can help out, visit the website. To learn more about the formation of the Linux user group in Iraq an interview with Adam Davidson, the Baghdad correspondent for Minnesota Public Radio's Marketplace who helped spearhead the initiative is available here.
(Click here for further information)
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