Some Datapoints on Open Source in Emerging Markets
21 de Setembro de 2009, 0:00 - sem comentários ainda
For a long time now, NXS has preached about the computer programmer demographic in Latin America. Our experience is that Latin America is filled with the “dream candidate” that companies are looking for in the US: someone who is a free software geek, has a passion for code, uses free software in their everyday life (meaning that their skill set is constantly being improved as part of day-to-day activities) and keeps up with all the latest trends and developments in the free software world.
A recent webinar by Evans Data has confirmed through research what we have known through experience. In a presentation entitled “Contrasting Software Development Trends Between the Emerging Markets and the Rest of the World,” Evans Data CEO John Andrews released their findings that 74% of developers in emerging markets use free software, where “use” is defined as “personal use or corporate use, and could include both developer tools and desktop or server applications.” That’s 11% higher than the rest of the world — and it’s a meaningful 11%. While software development jobs are growing worldwide, they are growing three times faster in emerging markets such as Latin America. The presentation is further analyzed in this post on IT World.
Remote collaboration: using video to communicate about open source
14 de Setembro de 2009, 0:00 - sem comentários aindaFrom Brazil: A conversation on Radio Software Livre (FISL) about using video to communicate about open software. Bruno Souza interviews (and translates for) Deirdré Straughan and Aaron Newcomb: download in MP4 format.
The open source car: Fiat to debut Creative Commons vehicle in Brazil
10 de Setembro de 2009, 0:00 - 2 comentários
Anyone who has spent much time in Brazil will tell you that Fiat is the car of choice for many people. In fact, Brazil is Fiat’s largest market.
Now, Fiat is taking a cue from the trend in Brazilian society towards open knowledge and free software by announcing the debut of an open source vehicle, released with a Creative Commons license.
The Fiat FC III Mio is being designed with input from anyone and everyone, coordinated at the Fiat Mio website. The car will debut soon at the 2010 São Paulo International Auto Show.
Time is running out if you want to help design the car! We take this as further evidence of the far-reaching influence of free software ideas on Brazilian culture. For more information, see this article in Wired.
President Lula of Brazil argues for free software
29 de Agosto de 2009, 0:00 - sem comentários aindaPresident Lula da Silva continues his insightful support for free software. Translation by NXS: “In the middle of a world dominated by competitiveness […] the free software community demonstrates that there is still space for the democratization of knowledge.” Lula made the remarks at CONSEGI 2009.
Lula spoke about the broader goals of free software to break down barriers in an increasingly information-based society. These goals are being pursued by using both the programs and values of free software. He continued: “We are discussing access to development. Our meeting is important for us to strengthen the necessary collaboration to become a factor in social inclusion. I feared that the social relationship would remain prejudiced but what I saw was children sitting around, talking amongst themselves, working on the computer, researching and teaching each other. A total interaction.”
How can these values be imported into the United States?
Lula to open 2nd Annual CONSEGI Conference in Brasília
27 de Agosto de 2009, 0:00 - sem comentários aindaPresident Lula of Brazil is about to open the 2nd Annual CONSEGI Conference in Brazil — the International Free Software and Electronic Government Conference. For more information about CONSEGI, see NorthxSouth’s archives (NXS attended the historic first conference).
