I have but a lowly blog to write this memo in and so it shall be posted here. This memo is about how Linux can be promoted and why it is prudent to take on such an endeavour.

To date, Linux has been one of two things for the Maldivian community: 1. an alternative to expensive proprietary options and 2. an amusement tool which is often used to boister one's ego. What our community has failed to grasp are the possibilities Linux - and various other open source software - offers beyond implementation cost cutdowns and bemusement. Two of the most important purposes that Linux fulfills in the general world of information technology are, long-term cost optimization and education.

Why promote Linux?

Long-term cost optimization

The difference between implementation cost cutdowns and long-term cost optimization is the former provides a temporary cashflow benefit while the latter provides a continuous one. Cost optimization is the process of streamlining the business processes and reducing the various cost-of-productions to generate higher periodic returns.

Linux helps in long-term cost optimization mainly due to the following reasons:

• Being a product of the community for the community, the knowledge-base for Linux is widely distributed and readily available.
• Software products for Linux are plentiful and mostly open-sourced.
• Linux, and its components, are almost always developed based on open and readily-available industry standards, which provides for an attractive learning curve.
• Today, there exist numerous support groups which can be contracted for reasonable prices, eliminating the need for in-house specialists and thus ensuring lower costs of ownership.
• SCO's case proves to the world that whilst Linux has infringed virtually no license whatsoever, their unthreatened open licenses will cater to the most customization-oriented of businesses.

Linux as an education tool

It is sad to see that computer science is being replaced with the more hyped-about 'information technology' in the world of academia. Operating systems and the software which run on them are becoming more and more end-user friendly and less challenging to use, which, in concurrently increasing general computing awareness, has greatly reduced the opportunities for the specialization in their development and implementation. The fact that these operating systems are immensely closed and often proprietary has further detrimental effects.

Linux has a solution for the potential computer scientist: an open platform which readily shows the operating system anatomy to the curious. It is a platform that you can take apart and put together in any way you like, without consideration for any licensing. For the professionals concerned about their apprentices, or even the society in general, Linux holds the key to a more hands-on education in computer systems.

On top of being an educational platform, Linux can also become the tool for changing the society's outlook on matters of intellectual property rights. I believe Maldivians' insane lack of regard for intellectual property rights stems from their abuse of licenses. The prolonged practice of pirating software, movies, music and so many other intellectual properties has virtually eliminated the knowledge of the very meaning of 'intellectual property' - could even be a new Teletubbies sidekick as far as the typical Maldivian is concerned. Developing the habit of using Linux - and open source software - may eventually provide our community with their own sense of proprietorship.

How to promote Linux

The Maldivian Linux User Group (MLUG) has tried to introduce the novelty of Linux to the Maldivian community for some time, and they held a rather successful Linux Demo Day in the February of 2000. The highlight of the project was the introduction of clustering technology which, in my point of view, is too extravagant when it comes to the introduction of an already misunderstood and feared solution that was Linux. Then again, I do recognize that it did generate a lot of hype which in turn yielded a few die-hard fans who have persevered even till today. However, at the end of the day, Linux was not here to stay; not as an integral part of the Maldivian computing community.

What has to change?

What needs to change within the MLUG leadership is quite simply their perception of Linux, its uses and its promotion. MLUG has to understand that their success lies in the ultimate goal of the massive adoption of Linux within the Maldivian community. To this end, MLUG needs to fully appreciate the possibilities Linux offers and work on implementing these possibilities from the very basics.

Firstly, MLUG should define its mandate as far as Linux is concerned. My suggestion would be the following:

• Continuing documentation of Linux, its development, its implementations and various news it generates, and provide these documentations to the Maldivian community
• Implement a perpetual marketing campaign which actually reaches the Maldivian community with the tidings of Linux on a daily basis
• Document the possible adoptions of Linux with regards to the various compartmentalizations found within the Maldivian community - in terms of societies and businesses
• Approach the potential adopters with solutions
• Monitor the Linux users and adopters, gather their feedback and provide them with contiuning support and optimizations

If the above mandate is too expansive to be fulfilled by the limited amount of Linux enthusiasts, then opt to reduce it by eliminating certain apects, but not streamlining them. For instance, MLUG can opt to undertake only the documentation and marketing aspects of Linux within Maldives.

Once a mandate has been ratified, the next step is to ensure the comprehensive division of labour. The only way MLUG will successfully accomplish any aspect of its mandate is by ensuring that enough people are involved in that particular venture. At the same time, there has to be uncompromising leadership spearheading these efforts.

What advice can I offer MLUG?

• Do away with preconceptions
• Start with the basics
• Create a mandate before the scope of possibilities overwhelms MLUG
• Follow the trends, especially those of the various Linux communities out their
• Linux is just another operating system, it is not a revelation