We all know that Linux is a very robust Operating system, but still its not popular. on the other hand it is gradually gaining popularity in SMEs.
One must be wondering the reasons behind the lack of popularity of the Operating System in the country. Below i have discussed few of the possible reasons which are not working in favor of Linux.
WHY & How?
For Why ? There are various reasons to it:
- Piracy of Other Operating System
This can be attributed to one of the main causes. If you go and talk to many SME/SMB businessman in India, they will tell – we are using OS and anyways we dont have to pay for it – what is use of FREE Linux, when we will have to give consultancy and training charges ? But the scene is changing very fast, as anti-piracy movement is gaining pace.
Current Education system for Linux
This is also the Serious Problem. Still most of the courses teach server technology only. How many servers does a company use v/s – how many desktops does a company use.
Also – still the emphasis is on the Command line, so as a result the person who comes out of institute thinks that linux is essentially a difficult, and not meant for normal human beings. AND, he preaches like this in the society.
Business & Linux
This is actually outcome of the previous problem. The people who understand Linux don’t understand business, and people who understand business don’t understand Linux. If you want to make anything commercially successful, the capitalist or the business man has to understand the concepts.
Marketing budget
Linux is like democracy. Its developed, supported and marketed by People (or volunteers). So obviously it does not have billions of dollars for marketing or even bribing Purchase officers. (believe me this is also seriously TRUE)
Schools / Colleges / universities and Government
Across the globe, Linux Initiatives have been taken by above institutions. But in India Education institutions are either not interested or bribed. (or have to follow dumb rules created by dumb Government authorities). AND same is true with govt also. We all know that 78% of web servers in world are using Linux (typically LAMP stack). But most of Indian govt sites you will find ASP.net – can you understand WHY ?
So, the reasons are not technical but social and economical
How Linux would gain popularity in at-least SMEs
Linux Adoption in Government & Education Segment :
Government policies in years to come may increase the acceptance of Linux in Government departments which is apparent in some states of India . As far as Educational system in India is concerned some states like Kerala and Gujarat have took initiative in promoting Linux in their main course of computer education.Many colleges have been promoting Linux in their regular Syllabus.
Linux Adoption by Large organisation :
Large Organisations in India have opted for Linux as far as server computing is concerned. Desktop Linux is still passing through the phase of unacceptance even in Large organisations.
Small and Medium Organisations can opt for Linux & Open Source software :
For SMEs, Linux provides third option over two currently available options of either Huge investment on software Licensing or joining Software Piracy. Tight policies applied by Anti-Software-Piracy Organisations in India is one of the reasons why SMEs think in this way.
Challenges currently faced by SMEs in migrating to Linux :
■ Myths about Linux Licensing and unawareness about abilities of current generation Linux OSes.
■ Improper support mechanism for Linux & Open Source software.
■ Differences in User Interface of Linux Alternative Applications for OS Applications
■ Inefficient ways of porting OS Applications on Linux platform.
With an organised effort we can overcome the above requirements of SMEs
■ Modify Linux to suite requirements of OS Users
■ Prepare effective documentation and videos to help people for easily using Linux & its applications in their work environment
■ Planning effective & small Training sessions for Users, System Administrators as well as System Integrators to easily use and implement Linux.
■ Designing a strong support mechanism to provide support for Linux OS as well as Applications that run under Linux.
■ Creating a strong mechanism to port OS Applications in Linux.
Is it really possible for Small & medium Organisation ?
■ All these stuffs are time taking and almost impossible to be carried on at each and every organisation.
■ So we, at Enjay, have created a dedicated team for doing all these in such a way that companies in different verticals can take advantage.
■ Currently a team is dedicatedly working on creating a strong mechanism to port OS applications that people have. This is carried on in a systematic way.
Looking at the current response from various companies, we believe that those efforts would surely help people in easily migrating to Linux and enjoy all the benefits of Linux.
Penned by Limesh Parekh, CEO, Enjay IT Solutions Ltd
