Editorial on Open Source in The Economic Times

India is faced with the problem of low personal computer (PC) penetration and the widespread use of pirated software. There are limits to lowering hardware and software prices.

India could perhaps do much better with an Application Service Provider (ASP) type model for even everyday computing. Imagine, a neighbourhood could be equipped with basic, low-cost boxes that access, for a small fee, a central server on which reside various kinds of ordinary-use software for word processing, spreadsheet functions, etc.

In such a scenario, a user should be able to log into the central machine and use the appropriate application software to do the required job.

This can happen either through the utilisation of a broadband connection, which is expected to become ubiquitous soon, or perhaps even local or wide area networks.

The advantages of this model can be immense. For one, users would not have to keep investing in more and more powerful machines every couple of years: all upgradation in computing power will need to be done by the service provider and the cost, spread over a large number of people.

Secondly, since the terminal for users would be almost completely stripped down, it would cost immensely less than even a basic desktop does today, bringing computers within the reach of even lower income groups.

Thirdly, since the application software will, for all practical purposes, be only borrowed by the user, the cost of purchasing individual licensed software will disappear for the user, along with piracy.

Now, of course the issue is to make this technologically possible at a low cost. Use of open source software is one option. Brazil is a fantastic example of the kind of use open source software can be put to. Also, this will help communities to build localised content and interfaces that communicate with people in local languages.

But laws, policies and rules that limit broadband penetration, particularly in its low-cost, wireless form, will have to go.

This is the editorial that appeared in today's Economic Times.

Every time I drive around Chennai and see the PCOs ( not STD / ISD booths but shops offering local-calls for Rs. 1 ! ) spread all around the place - I remember the time when there was couple of years wait to get a landline ! the scene is the same in Bangalore - the one rupee coin boxes are everywhere. I have seen boxes so well placed - people could make calls from the road, sitting on their bikes !

IMHO there is no reason why the future visualized by the editorial above cannot be come a reality. If coin boxes can make low cost calls accessible to all, then why can't thin clients accessing servers on an ASP model make desktop applications available to all ?