Extremadura is leading a crusade
Two Extremadura transfer their experience in using the 'software' free country. IBERCOTEC integrated network
Drafting Technology
It was in Extremadura, a Spanish region, considered one of the poorest in the European Union, which were articulated based solutions 'software' free to include social areas and
The agenda included meetings with authorities. José María Ramírez y Esmeralda Ruiz Moyano advice to several countries. Photo: TRADE
economic.
The experience of this region has served as a starting point for various development projects Bolivia , Nicaragua, Uruguay and Colombia.
These countries, as well as Extremadura, IBERCOTEC up the network for technology cooperation that seeks to contribute to the development of each region through the use of information technology.
Last week, two specialists from Extremadura, those pushing this network, share their experiences during their visit to Ecuador.
Technicians digital literacy plan, the Red IBERCOTEC, José María Ramírez, and Esmeralda Ruiz Moyano, stressed that they are interested in supporting Ecuador in this topic.
For this reason, during his stay in the country, which ends this week, plan to hold meetings with government officials.
Paulina Pazmino, Coordinator of Electronic Government Information of the Secretariat said that the two scholars have detailed the methodology used by Extremadura nine years on the issue of digital literacy and the use of 'software' free.
"There is a fruitful approach and will work on some guidelines. On Tuesday, specific points will be established to encourage the use of these tools. "In addition, he points Pazmino, one of the purposes is that Ecuador is part of the network IBERCOTEC.
One of the keys in this work is political. Through it, Extremadura managed to encourage the use of these tools to underpin the theme of literacy, for example.
The difference in the 'software' free, meet the owners, is that the source code is open to users. By having access to source code changes can be made in the program and see how it was designed.
A common comparison is the recipe, in which the source code would be a recipe for creating a dish without it you can only taste the dish, but not improve it, and its composition is unknown and the proportion of ingredients .
Extremadura wanted to know the recipe and that was why he decided to go for these tools. The initiative began to take shape when the government of this region decided to include all of Extremadura in the Information Society.
Ramirez says that was installed a computer for every two students. Prior to implementing this project, conceived as a technology park, the Junta de Extremadura acquired 35 000 computers.
But were not yet ready to start the program because they lacked the tools. Next came the first obstacle: the cost of proprietary software (which do not allow access to its source) was very high.
After evaluating the values, resorted to using freeware tools ('software' free). Ramirez says that the money saved was invested in licensing the import of most computers.
As a result, have a technology park equipped with 50 000 machines. "The government always had rooted the idea of freedom, so these tools fit well."
Moyano Ruiz said that Extremadura, a region traditionally disadvantaged, need to democratize access to technologies and tools such help to realize this goal.
He added that these programs were the basis of a broader project to bring technology to the field of health, formal and informal education, administration and others.
In Extremadura was released a customized version of Linux, called gnuLinex (ex Extremadura), which was distributed through schools, the Education Technology Network to the people by the technological literacy plan. Andalucía also use these tools. He managed savings of 180 million euros.
Its application
Computers in every school in the Extremadura runs the Linux operating system. Now, this region is beginning to use this and other tools, open source, to undertake e-government.
Two years ago, the Organization of the United Nations recommended the use and promotion of the 'software' free. He considered it the vehicle more adecuadopara the development of member countries, especially in health and education.
November 14 the movie divx rise fourteen Source: El Comercio , Ecuador.
