| Iraq LUG struggles in rebuilding the country with Linux |
May 28, 2004
Wired examines the quagmire surrounding Linux use and adoption in Iraq. While the open source operating system seems like a logical choice for rebuilding efforts in war torn Iraq, the local LUG is facing obstacles in evangelizing the freely available operating system -- including US export laws.
Ashraf T. Hasson, one of the founders of the Baghdad-based Linux Users Group has said 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 LUG, founded last fall, has held free conferences at the University of Baghdad and is establishing a Linux Center to conduct training in all levels of Linux usage, administration, and development.
Iraqi LUG leaders told Wired that software piracy is so prevalent that almost any program can be bought for just 2,000 dinars, or US $1, making open source solutions almost irrelevant.
Open source advocates also point to difficulty in offering US support to Iraq. The article notes that the Department of Commerce has classified Microsoft Windows and Sun Solaris as "mass-market encryption products," Linux is not legally allowed to ship to Iraq without US permission.
Wired quotes Don Marti, editor of Linux Journal, "Even though it's easy to get copies of Linux CDs containing crypto in Iraq, the Iraqi contract-development industry has an obstacle preventing it from working with U.S.-based companies on modern projects -- which generally include crypto at some level."
Earlier this year, Mountain View, CA's non-profit IT training facility, the Freedom Technology Center hosted a successful fundraiser to provide Iraq with technology textbooks related to Linux.
The full article at Wired can be accessed here.
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