KOCHI: The global economic meltdown is making a positive impact on the popularity of free and open source software (FOSS) in the state. More and more companies are looking into the feasibility of free software and operating systems as a means to cut cost following recession. The Microsoft Corporation is intensifying its anti-piracy raids on software firms. Other organisations have added to the trend.
Jim Zemlin, executive director, Linux Foundation, had predicted in December that GNU/Linux and other Free and Open Source Software technologies should become more attractive in hard economic times.
“Lower cost, faster time to market, higher profit margins, better branding - these are things that are in favour of Linux,” he had pointed out. “Of late, a number of companies, organisations and institutions in the state have opted for free software for various reasons. Recession is, of course, one of the reasons. Intensifying of the anti-piracy raids by the Microsoft is another reason.The nonfamiliarity with the Windows Vista also prompts some companies to shift to easy-to-use free operating systems,” said an official with the Indian Lebre Users Group, an organisation for promoting Free and Open Source Software in Kochi.
The Nest Group, Aluva, has already started shifting its operations to free software. “We found this an exact opportunity. Moreover, the government has been promoting and supporting initiatives in free and open source software. That is why we have decided to be a part of the Free Software Industries Association.'' "Shift to the free software is a gradual process and it is currently going on.
We are forced to use the Microsoft platforms for some departments as for some projects which are currently under way,” said Roshan Roy, regional manger, Nest.
With companies eyeing cost-cutting shift to the free software is an obvious trend, opined Asokan, a free software expert. The trend started in banks and other financial institutions in the West and was gradually spreading to the country, he said.
Free Software Industries Association secretary Joseph Thomas pointed out that more companies in different industries were gradually coming forward to experiment with the free and open source software solutions, in the state.
