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Re: linux-il Digest V1 #79



Gilad Ben-Yossef wrote:
> 
> >>>I meant being out-of-date with regard to /Hebrew desktop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.

	Just a small note, everyone are talking about how Linux isn't being
widely used in Israel and continue to ignore on major reason. I was
interested in obtaining RH6 for about 2 months now, the only place I
found that I could get linux from was PF1 systems, which compiled some
CD of their own and sold it for 50nis. That might not be alot but in US
RH6 sells for 2$. And the only reason why I didn't make an order from
cheapbytes.com or similar was the 10$ shipping fee [although I am
ordering now, since it costs less to order from US then to by in Israel
!]. 


	If you want to introduce Linux to the Israeli word first step is to
make it available for a sane price. Linux takes pride of it being a free
OS.  Selling in Tel Aviv only isn't the answer also, I don't think
anyone will drive to Tel_Aviv just to buy a CD. 

A solution may be hard to find but Im sure it exists.

Best Regards
Boris Dinkevich


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