Cuba to use open-source software
{{date|February 20, 2007}}
[[Image:Cuba flag.png|150px|right]]
[[Image:NewTux.svg|100px|right]]

The government of [[Cuba]] decided to change the OS on thousands of its computers. These will run on [[w:Linux|GNU/Linux]] instead of [[w:Windows|Windows]]. This step made by the Cuban government raises tensions between the country and the [[United States|U.S.]] - based company [[w:Microsoft|Microsoft]]. 

The idea was welcomed by several Cuban ministers. This includes Ramiro Valdez, communication minister, who at a technology conference stated his position towards moving to free software. 
Richard Stallman, heading the [[w:Free Software Foundation|Free Software Foundation]], criticized the proprietary [[w:software|software]] saying that today it is rather insecure, and that unlike
proprietary software, free software develops democratically under the control of its users.

Heading one of the largest universities in [[w:Cuba|Cuba]], Hector Rodriguez also showed his positive attitude towards the migration of the country to free <!-- "open source"--> software. He outlined that Cuban customs service has already moved to Linux and several ministries are still to migrate. Among them are the ministries of culture, of higher education and of communication.

Although it will take some time for Cuba to move to free <!--open source--> software, Rodriguez, as quoted by the Associated Press, declined to state the time it will take for the government of Cuba to move entirely to GNU/Linux. The pace of migrating to free software and open source software is very fast in Cuba. 

GNU/Linux has been adopted as an operating system by millions of computer enthusiasts around the world, and a number of local, regional and national governments have also advocated its adoption.  

==Source==
*{{source|url=http://www.usb4ever.com/cuba-open-source-p.html|title=Cuba to move from Windows to open source software|author=|pub=Usb4ever.com|date=February 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.com.com/Cuba+to+migrate+to+open-source+software/2100-7344_3-6160496.html?tag=nefd.top|title=Cuba to migrate to open-source software|author=Richard Thurston|pub=CNET|date=February 19, 2007}}  
*{{source|url=http://www.themoneytimes.com/articles/20070220/cuba_detaches_from_microsoft_embraces_open_source_linux-id-102940.html|title=Cuba detaches from Microsoft, embraces open-source Linux|author=Shubha Krishnappa|pub=www.themoneytimes.com|date=February 20, 2007}}

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[[Category:Computing]]
[[Category:Cuba]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:FLOSS]]
[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Free Software Foundation]]

[[fr:Cuba va passer à l'open-source]]
[[it:Cuba apre ai software open source]]
[[pl:Rząd Kuby chce wyposażyć administrację w Linuksa]]
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The government of Cuba decided to change the OS on thousands of its computers. These will run on GNU/Linux instead of Windows. This step made by the Cuban government raises tensions between the country and the U.S. - based company Microsoft. 

The idea was welcomed by several Cuban ministers. This includes Ramiro Valdez, communication minister, who at a technology conference stated his position towards moving to free software. 
Richard Stallman, heading the Free Software Foundation, criticized the proprietary software saying that today it is rather insecure, and that unlike
proprietary software, free software develops democratically under the control of its users.

Heading one of the largest universities in Cuba, Hector Rodriguez also showed his positive attitude towards the migration of the country to free  software. He outlined that Cuban customs service has already moved to Linux and several ministries are still to migrate. Among them are the ministries of culture, of higher education and of communication.

Although it will take some time for Cuba to move to free  software, Rodriguez, as quoted by the Associated Press, declined to state the time it will take for the government of Cuba to move entirely to GNU/Linux. The pace of migrating to free software and open source software is very fast in Cuba. 

GNU/Linux has been adopted as an operating system by millions of computer enthusiasts around the world, and a number of local, regional and national governments have also advocated its adoption.
Computing Cuba Microsoft Economy and business FLOSS Linux Software Free Software Foundation