Cuba bans windows

[ILTST9]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/Cuba-L...ews-30321.html

In an effort to rid every computer in the country of the American-designed Windows OS, the Cuban government has banned the software and created its own Linux-based operating system.

The Communist country 90 miles off the coast of Florida calls the Linux OS "Nova", and the government considers it an integral piece in the fight against U.S. hegemony in Cuba. Shown at a Havana conference dedicated to "technological sovereignty", the goal is to have Nova replace Windows on computers all across the island.

While most of the world has enjoyed a consumer computer market for decades, the Cuban government only started allowing such a market last year. According to Cuba University's Information Sciences Director Hector Rodriguez, around 20 percent of computers on the island are already running some sort of Linux-based operating system.

"Private software can have black holes and malicious codes that one doesn't know about. That doesn't happen with free software," said Rodriguez. "I would like to think that in five years our country will have more than 50 percent migrated [to Linux]." The Linux movement may be in full swing for Cuban consumers, but many of the country's government agencies are resisting the change because of possible software compatibility issues.

While the netbook craze may see Linux become more popular with consumers in America, the percentage of Linux on PCs stateside is far below 20 percent.

The turn away from Windows is the latest move in Cuba's resistance to all things American, which has been ongoing since Fidel Castro took over the island nation in 1959. Rodriguez certainly sees a ideological link between Linux and Cuba, "The free software movement is closer to the ideology of the Cuban people, above all for the independence and sovereignty."

[Ron_Smythberg]

Another example of the crap on this "new forum".

Unfortunately sir, no-one cares or is impressed with the actions of a crazed dictator, ala Castro.

[illuminatikiller]

My first thought when I read the title was, "Won't they get wet when there's hurricanes?" Then I realized it was the OS.

[psychomanthis]

Originally Posted by illuminatikiller

My first thought when I read the title was, "Won't they get wet when there's hurricanes?" Then I realized it was the OS.

Yeah i thought it was about that kind of windows also, lol.

[Trueborn]

LOL!

<Mitch Hedberg> Good luck, fuckers! </Mitch Hedberg>

[pygar]

Microsoft cannot sell Cuba any of its products. I'll take a bet and say that >90% of computer users pirate windows.

The few legal copies are purchased from south American retailers.

The more interesting thing here is that they want to replace windows with Linux. This isn't to hard for Cuba as the country is so behind, paper and pen will probably suffice for the bureaucracys needs.

Cuba has nothing America is interested in. Internet was illegal until last year for citizens and government officials are given limited dial-up access.

Military wise, cuba still uses mechanical and manual methods. There is simply no knowledge in cuba to make anything software based,

This is not a move for security, it is an effort to clean up its act and make moves to end the US trade embargo.

[KillSwitch_J]

Originally Posted by Ron_Smythberg

Another example of the crap on this "new forum".

Unfortunately sir, no-one cares or is impressed with the actions of a crazed dictator, ala Castro.

This is actually better than some of the posts back at totse's "News of the World" that we used to have to put up with. I didn't know about this and thank the OP for posting it.

[Mutant Funk Drink]

Originally Posted by Ron_Smythberg

Another example of the crap on this "new forum".

Unfortunately sir, no-one cares or is impressed with the actions of a crazed dictator, ala Castro.

I don't see what's wrong with this. I found this fascinating.

Lol, I want to try out Castro OS! Hell, it might actually work well. (prob. not)

[Mister B]

That's pretty interesting. Thanks for posting.

[I'mAfraidofJapan]

Wrong type of windows...

[Rocko]

Who cares about some shitty little Communist dictatorship?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Rocko

Who cares about some shitty little Communist dictatorship?

Your last dozen Presidents.

[mrgoodbar]

if only the rest of the world would follow in suite

[Toothlessjoe]

Brilliant idea.

It's a step to help ease the trade embargo in the furture (hopefully) and he's right; it is more in keeping with the parties, and peoples ideaology. Linux is a solid enough OS and being free and open source it's a great piece of kit for the island given it's economic standing.

The whole island will have access to a free, usable OS, it keeps in with their ideas and beliefs and for those of us of the mindset, it will give great backing to linux now a government is onboard. Linux can only get better from here on. A great example of people using a loose form of some means of production and creating a product for everyone.

Given people say how far behind Cuba is, their mortality rates, education stats, health system and now this idea are slowly gaining ground on everyone else. Good for them I say. Castro was right:

"History will absolve me".