| Linux arrives on 50,000 Brazilian desktops |
Feb. 13, 2007
Three companies in Brazil -- BitWay Computadores, EnabledPeople, and IMTECH -- have begun deploying Linux-powered desktop PCs for the Brazilian federal government's "Computers for All" program, EnabledPeople announced today. The ready-to-use PCs, sourced by Bitway, include the "Linux XP Desktop" operating system, developed by EnabledPeople and supported by IMTECH.
Estimated monthly deployment is about 10,000 desktops, with 50,000 desktops already delivered, EnabledPeople, a Linux development company, said. The company did not indicate the total number of desktops that are to be deployed in the course of the project.
The Computers for All project is part of the Brazilian federal government's "Program of Digital Inclusion," initiated in 2003. The project's objective is to provide low-cost computers to the population and to boost technological development, EnabledPeople said.
Linux XP Desktop is described as a user-friendly desktop operating system for home and office users. With a preinstalled version, a user gets an application set that includes the OpenOffice.org office suite, the Evolution email client, the Firefox web browser, and the GAIM multi-protocol instant messenger, among other software. According to EnabledPeople, Linux XP Desktop is a Red Hat-compatible operating system, and is compatible with Red Hat's application set.
EnabledPeople and IMTECH have partnered to work on Latin America Linux solutions, according to EnabledPeople. IMTECH will represent EnabledPeople's interests, sell its products, and provide technical support by phone and by web helpdesk for the products, company said.
To meet the "Computers for All" program's requirements, EnabledPeople and IMTECH rebuilt Linux XP Desktop, adapted it to the program's specifications, performed a full Portuguese localization, and included specially built hardware drivers.
The program is supported by a number of Brazilian organizations, including the Ministry of Cities, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of the Development of the Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Education, and many others, according to Enabled People.
EnabledPeople is a Linux development firm; IMTECH provides solutions for IP telephony, and OEM solutions for PC manufacturers; and Bitway is the largest manufacturer of pre-installed Linux personal computers in the north and northeast of Brazil, according to EnabledPeople's announcement.
--Chris Preimesberger
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