Subject: [ILUG] Go Lula!

[Breno Gomes]

I would like to add some details beyond the interview's scope.

My mother works for Embrapa, a semi-state Brazilian agricultural 
research corporation. She is geographer, working on GIS projects at 
national level and academic R&D at international level.
Some published works can be found at http://www.cnpm.embrapa.br/en/index.php

The company is currently moving strategic groups to Linux and open 
source in general. The site above reveals some trends. The phased roll 
out to most users is being addressed.

Closed source licensing is an issue for developing countries where money 
is not always spent wisely. However Brazil is trying to go beyond the 
basics. Scientific research, academic papers and applications were 
available even before the commercial internet. They consist a vast and 
precious resources for R&D and general public. Broader communications 
infrastructure, commodity hardware and low cost/open/free software is 
providing unprecedented access to knowledge, a remarkable opportunity 
for remote communities spread over 8.5 million sq km - approximately the 
US area. They are effectively contributing to change existing paradigms, 
difficult to achieve through closed source, if possible at all. The 
public sector is playing a key role, but the private is following 
closely. Conectiva/Mandrake has a comfortable market share, but Red Hat 
and Novell are starting to set in the corporate business.

Carta Capital, the magazine who sparkled the discussion, is among the 
most trusted Brazilian publications. The national industry produces from 
raw materials to commercial jets and communication satellites. I believe 
the debate it will make more people aware of available localizations, 
which will probably benefit the open source community.

Breno





Subject: [ILUG] Go Lula!
From: "Bernhard Rohrer" <graylion at sm-wg.net>
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 11:27:52 +0100 (BST)
To: ilug at linux.ie

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4602325.stm