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Re: linux-il Digest V1 #79




>>>I meant being out-of-date with regard to /Hebrew desktop
applications/. We're fighting for /desktop users/ not for
sysadmins or developers (they /know/ what Linux is if they live
on Earth). So let me ask you again -- are there applications that
can serve as close replacement for Microsoft Office Hebrew
Edition?<<<

I used to agree with this statment. I think the last couple of weeks
changed my mind: Linux is fighting for the Desktop, but at least in
Israel, the fight for the servers and developers mind share is far from
over. We are way behind the US/World in this respect. Only when we have
won enough ground in the developers/servers arena can we start REALLY
going for the Desktop in Israel (but don't let this stop you from
trying! ;-)

In MANY places in Israel people use NT/IIS based web "solutions" and
thinks they grabbed their favorite deity by the reproductive organs. So
many major sites in Israel depend on propriety technology that's it
scary... The "AOL ditching CommTouch for not supporting Linux" story is
a very telling one: AOL, the US based corp. understands Linux, CommTouch
from Ein Vered doesn't - In other words: we in Israel have not reached
the point where the rest of the world is. This is no news, Isreal is
always behind on new trends.

There are, IMHO two reasons for this:

1. Hebrew support. Nothing more to add here. I hope Ivrix will take care
of that.

2. The huge pirate market in Israel - Most developers don't pay for
their software. You are MUCH more open to the ideas of Open Source when
you're PAID for copy of <insert random proprietary product name here>
just crashed in front of your eyes and get asked for a ridiculous amount
of money for tech support that does no good rather then when you're just
pirating the software.

I think we should focus on drawing more developer/sophisticated users.
This is the the route that Linux took in the big world, and I think we
should follow it. Sure, sell Linux to the unwashed masses, but only
after we reach the right point. In Israel, we haven't.

Use DEMO day to "sell" Linux in SciComp department in
collages/universities. IMHO it will do much more good.

Just my 2E-2 NIS,
Gilad.

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