A Linux distro for Cuba
...Nova was introduced at a Havana computer conference on "technological sovereignty" and is central to the Cuban government's desire to replace the Microsoft software running most of the island's computers.
...
Unlike Microsoft, Linux is free and has open access that allows users to modify its code to fit their needs.
"Private software can have black holes and malicious codes that one doesn't know about," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't happen with free software."
'Technological sovereignty' is something that I feel is important for any government organisation around the world. No government should not voluntarily accept technological dependence on a vendor and its proprietary data formats. That's why the call has to go out to every government organisation to use free software wherever possible. That should be the default! Proprietary software should only be acceptable under exceptional circumstances, and the need for it should have to be carefully examined and proven.
Other comments by the Cuban officials, however, will give the FOSS movement problems, since it will just prompt that tiresome comparison between FOSS and communism again:
Apart from security concerns, free software better suits Cuba's world view, he said.
"The free software movement is closer to the ideology of the Cuban people, above all for the independence and sovereignty."
Sigh... I can see the reaction already.
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Comment by Regs, on 15-Feb-2009 21:44 , user id: 27895)
"Private software can have black holes and malicious codes that one doesn't know about," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't happen with free software."
I'm not sure how accurate that statement is. Just because its open source, doesnt mean some clever programmer hasnt programmed in a back door... sure it might be easier to spot if you had the code and knew you were looking for it
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Comment by freitasm, on 12-Feb-2009 11:55 , user id: 206)
lol... I can see your first comment here will be "Open Source software = Comunism".
Oh, wait...