Why Open Source Is Slow Gaining in Developing Countries

Several years ago I had read from magazines and heard from some speeches: how Free and Open Source Software will submerge the monopoly of proprietary software that existed then. Such statements used to arouse fear in one’s mind while creating excitement in another’s.

Years have passed by keeping us waiting for this revolution to happen, but still there’s no sign of such movement casting its shadow. And now I doubt anyone who truly awaiting the “Open Source dawn” will find such statements entertaining any further.

Having experienced various volunteer movements to promote FOSS awareness, it has long been clear to me that such an “FOSS dawn” would not happen so soon (or a bit more later). With such voluntary groups are being looked upon as aliens by certain groups while certain others believing them as gypsies, we could not doubt why these groups feel discouraged. So, I suppose this is why such groups still remain small and few; and unable to have a significant impact in the existing system.

This is a very serious issue. If this trend continues, it will surely push “the dawn” further away into the future. However, it must be mentioned here that such issues does not emerge without a proper cause.

The current system within countries like Sri Lanka has been heavily monopolized by Proprietary software companies which have taken insuring steps to immunize such countries against possible establishment of FOSS. People have been using pirated copies of well famous copyrighted software for several decades and have been molded into using such software which can be accessed in plenty for almost no charge at all. These pirated copies, while making loss to the rightful companies, on the other hand, have provides immunity against establishment of FOSS; thus saving potential clients of proprietary software companies. Under these conditions, it is usual that most people refuse to transit to FOSS which may sometimes have incompatibilities with the existing system.

Admirable projects such as the “Ubuntu Distro free shipping” project by the Canonical Corporation, largely contributed to popularize FOSS. But unfortunately, such movement achieved below expectations and it was a common sight to see most distros ending up as souvenirs to most people.

Certain proprietary software companies have been maintaining partnerships with government organizations to ensure their existence. To make matters even worse, some of them have even succeeded in integrating their products into national educational curriculums; hence enabling themselves to adhere their products to future generations of those countries. So, I guess handling such issues should be given priority. Otherwise, all attempts to popularize FOSS in developing countries would be in vain.

There’s no rule why FOSS should popularize or not. People have the freedom of choosing what they want. But, certainly something like software piracy is not acceptable; especially when there is FOSS. So, efforts of the few volunteers of this world who would choose to serve the humanity of FOSS should be highly praised.