Communications of the ACM
In 2010 Asia and Latin America Will Be Leading in Use of Free Software
Researchers Salvador Bueno and Mara Dolores Gallego of Pablo de Olavide University.
andaluciainvestiga.com
The use of free software in South America and Asia will reach about 70 percent of the total in 2010, and will be particularly prevalent in the education sector, according to a report by Maria Dolores Gallego and Salvador Bueno from Pablo de Olavide University and Paula Luna from the University of Seville. The report compiles the opinions of 18 experts from both the academic and professional fields, who answered two rounds of questions to define the future scenario for the implementation and spread of free software until 2010.
One of the report's major findings is related to the implementation of free software from a geographic point of view. The report shows a greater spreading and implementation in developing continents, with South America and Asia leading the way at 69.5 percent, followed by Oceania at 61 percent, Europe at 59.9 percent, North America at 49.83 percent, and Africa at 34.5 percent. The researchers say the so-called first world may be lagging in free software deployment because of an excessive dependence on large software development companies.
The report also shows that free software use could be as high as 80 percent in the education field, while other sectors are farther behind, with health services at 39.75 percent and the military at 30 percent. Experts believe that training activities at universities and schools are critical to spreading and implementing free software. The most popular free software programs are Internet services, followed by network management solutions, operating systems, office computerization software, and games and entertainment.
From Andalucía Innova
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