While open source software is gaining ground on the back end, it needs to succeed on the desktop to become a true commercial success, because this is where the public eye is focused.
This is according to speakers at the first day of the LinuxWorld conference in Sandton yesterday.
Novell SA MD Stafford Masie told delegates that Linux has already enjoyed massive success locally.
"There is an enormous amount of momentum. The media seems to be focusing and waiting for it to happen on the desktop, but rest assured it is happening on the back end," said Masie.
Ubuntu project founder Mark Shuttleworth said the desktop is key to open source adoption, because this is the first point of interaction between people and computers. He added that the Ubuntu project is focusing on this area.
In his presentation, Shuttleworth highlighted some of the aspects he believes the "desktop of the 21st century" should offer.
First, the software should be freely available. "But 'free` will only get you so far, so another aspect is that it will come with an option for full support. This breeds confidence in those who may not have much technical knowledge."
People need to recognise that support will not come only from the producer of the software, said Shuttleworth. "It is the same as Microsoft: you don`t get Windows support directly from them.
"The desktop must also be customisable. It is a wonderful prospect - moulding it into something that suits a company`s own specific needs, and brand it. This is another key area of the Ubuntu project, and we are really pushing for people to do this."
The age-old skills issue
Numerous delegates at the conference pointed to the open source skills issue, saying certain myths still need to be dispelled.
"One of the misnomers is that there is a lack of skills in SA. There is actually an abundance," said Novell`s Masie: "As an example, at a mass Linux exam in China there were 200 attendants, while in SA over 300 attended. That`s in one day."
However, Microsoft SA platform strategy manager Albie Bester, who also presented at the open source event, said there could be a possible skills concern in SA and cited a recent study on maths and science skills.
According to the Centre for Development and Enterprise, SA performed the worst out of 38 countries polled in maths and science. "Keep in mind, if you are going to build an economy based on software, you are going to need maths and science skills coming through."
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