umashankar , thats a great initiative , but frankly the freedom aspect could have been said in a better way . This whole thing is not just about “cost savings” even some of the open source projects were possible only because “free” means “freedom”

I used Fedora C4,5,6,7, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon, Ubuntu Hardy Heron. Now the latest release Ubuntu Intredpid is my next to install

After stabilising Suse linux, ELCOT has started deploying Ubuntu linux side by side. Ubuntu’s latest offering (July 08) is simply the best. It enables automatic download, configuration and updating of the system. No need for tech. skill. One needs internet connection to install any new software requirement. Ubuntu’s servers (free service) do the entire job for the user! Great experience indeed. Umashankar

I am a directly recruited IAS officer of 1990 batch. Apologies for my poor English accent. The video was taken without any rehearsal. To bring in a change such as linux in Indian government, English accent may be necessary but it is not the only requirement. Thanks. Umashankar

Thanks Mr.Kiran Kumar.

Thanks for the good comments. Our focus is CHANGE in Government. We made a huge splash so far. Only the future will tell whether the huge splash is a success as well. Umashankar

Thanks

This was not our focus. Pl look at the focus of the video. Linux / OSS implementation in Government and large organisations is the focus.

There is nothing fake about his accent. He is a professional hired for the job.

We find Windows a strange operating system. After using linux for two years, Ms-windows appears to be a kid stuff. It is an annoying OS (everyone will get this feeling after using linux OS for a few months)

After two years of linux implmentation, ELCOT has proved to the world that a large enterprise can indeed run with 100% linux, be it in desktop, servers, state wide area network or even mainframe server powered data centre. Now ELCOT has started loading Ubuntu linux as second operating system. Ubuntu is an outstanding OS. ELCOT also has opened 30 training centres powered by 1200 linux (Suse & Ubuntu) laptops. Target: training 20000 Government officials in 2008-09.

I love it! The quirkiness makes it fun and interesting. The accents were fun to listen to. And all these people are doing a great favor for the world. That public official will be famous, as he is saving the taxpayers a lot of their hard-earned money. I wish China had even just one of this kind of official. 5*!

Very stable and do not experience blue screen haha. Good point.

A very strong and bold decision to stop using windows and find a better alternative. Kudos to out of the box thinking.

Very rightly said mathivanan.

the narrator has an annoying fake accent.

Can’t he get a better haircut.

Very Cool.

I am really sad about some comments on his accent. My four year old son speaks better accent than me since he live in US. Does it mean he is wiser?
I hope we all Indians feel India should improve and compete with every nation in the world.
We should support and preserve good people and good ideas.

Mr.Umashankar has the fire we all can take on and follow.
-Mathivanan
Santa Clara

The important thing is that older PCs are being recycled,because generally Windows,aside from continually rising software costs,also requires increasing hardware demands =ie: alot of PCs that run XP,can’t run Vista…BUT they CAN run Linux!I took Xp off of an old PC,put on Linux -the hard drive is NOT bad and now it flys!

Great Initiative. Good Luck!!

ELCOT specialises in e-governance and IT park promotion (ELCOT has 9 IT-Special Economic Zones in Tamil Nadu) – Rgds. Umashankar

Is Uma Shankar a directly recruited IAS officer? His English seems to be abysmal.

Dear Sir,
I am amazed to see this video clip, excellent initiatives @ elcot… Congratulations and wish you all the best for all of your initiatives.
Regards,
Kiran Kumar.

Mr. Umashankar,
do you also specialize in Telecoms ?