Cheap Linux desktop deployment in Brazil
I found this interesting article over at the KDE dot. Starting next week the Brazilian government is promoting a program to sell relatively cheap computers based on Linux (with KDE as the Desktop Environment.) They are hoping to sell over a half a million machines in the next 4 to 6 months. It looks as though Mandriva may be the base distribution. (24 month low interest loans are one way the idea is being promoted..)
The plan is called “Computers for all” and aims to bring cheap and accessible computers to more Brazilians. The specs are as follows:
The computers will have the same configuration as conventional microcomputers, with a 15-inch video monitor, keyboard, mouse, microprocessor, CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy disk, 128 MB of memory, and a fax modem. Lopes went on to say that, in the case of internet access, price reductions are still being negotiated with the telephone companies and internet service providers. He reckoned there might be a monthly charge of US$ 3 for 15 hours of dial-up access.
Note: the original article cited next week as the start of sales, the original article was dated October 11th. (So the sales should have already started.)