Goa Schools Computer Project (GSCP) - India
The Goa Schools Computer Project (GSCP) was launched in the Indian state of Goa to provide affordable computer labs to secondary and higher secondary schools in this state. Using recycled computers and the FOSS GNU/Linux operating system, a total of 125 schools received computers that otherwise would not have been available to them. Cost especially licensing cost of proprietary software was a primary motive for using GNU/Linux system. Also for cost reasons this project recycled computers that were donated by various organizations. However most organizations donated these computers with blank hard disks due to security concerns of their organization. Finding software to run on these computers became an issue since purchasing software would have escalated the cost of using these computers.
By going with the recycled computer/GNU/Linux combination, the GSCP was able to install systems for as little as US$35 per system with full labs, including networking costing less than US $500. Proprietary software for a single computer would have cost at least US $400 to US $500, many times the cost of the computer itself.
Based on data from previous projects in other Indian states, it was estimated that the GNU/Linux/recycled hardware model would save as much as 77% of traditional solution i.e. proprietary software and new hardware solution. Combining GNU/Linux with new hardware would have saved 64% of the cost of the proprietary software/new hardware model.
References
David, A. (2007). Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS, FLOSS, or FOSS)? Look at the Numbers! Retrieved from http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html
Other important sources
Robert, C & Richard C. (2004) . Free and Open Source Software. Overview and Preliminary Guidelines for the Government of Canada. Retrieved from www.sita.co.za/FOSS/Gov_Canada-OSS_Guide-Dec04.pdf
Allen, G. (2008). Good to Great FOSS: Learnings from Africa . Retrieved from www.aspirationtech.org/files/GoodToGreatFOSS-LearningsFromAfrica.pdf
Kenneth, W.(2004). Free/Open Source Software: Government Policy. Retrieved from http://www.sita.co.za/FOSS/Gov-OSS_Guide-04.pdf
By going with the recycled computer/GNU/Linux combination, the GSCP was able to install systems for as little as US$35 per system with full labs, including networking costing less than US $500. Proprietary software for a single computer would have cost at least US $400 to US $500, many times the cost of the computer itself.
Based on data from previous projects in other Indian states, it was estimated that the GNU/Linux/recycled hardware model would save as much as 77% of traditional solution i.e. proprietary software and new hardware solution. Combining GNU/Linux with new hardware would have saved 64% of the cost of the proprietary software/new hardware model.
References
David, A. (2007). Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS, FLOSS, or FOSS)? Look at the Numbers! Retrieved from http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html
Other important sources
Robert, C & Richard C. (2004) . Free and Open Source Software. Overview and Preliminary Guidelines for the Government of Canada. Retrieved from www.sita.co.za/FOSS/Gov_Canada-OSS_Guide-Dec04.pdf
Allen, G. (2008). Good to Great FOSS: Learnings from Africa . Retrieved from www.aspirationtech.org/files/GoodToGreatFOSS-LearningsFromAfrica.pdf
Kenneth, W.(2004). Free/Open Source Software: Government Policy. Retrieved from http://www.sita.co.za/FOSS/Gov-OSS_Guide-04.pdf