Good afternoon, a quick note on the ICDL; Actually ICDL is a standard certification of competencies an individual has in the use of IT; It is broken down into the different modules such as word processor's and databases...etc The curriculum is a non vendor based certification however the mode of delivery is dependent on the implementing organization; I'm leading the implementation of this standard, we are scheduling the implementation of this certification and have had to base this on Microsoft Office for licensing and other matters; I do know that other sister agencies have done this with various implementations indeed including IT Training curricula on open source systems as well, i.e: ILO of the UN un Turin,Italy; It would be a shame to certify this programme on specific vendors where there are other options available. The Computing Society of Kenya or the highest training board in relation to IT should be involved in this aspect as adherence to the accredation. anyone on the list from either? Regards, Patrick On Apr 29, 2008, at 4:49 PM, Evans Ikua wrote:
After a close look at the ICT Board program for training their "Pasha" operators especially on the technology to use, I noticed that they are planning to train them on the ICDL curriculum, which is based on Microsoft.
What this means is that they are expected to get their Ksh 100,000 loan and then decide whether to buy software or to buy computers, not to mention pay rent and all other startup costs.
As you can expect, MS will wait in the wings for them to use unlicensed copies of their software and then pounce on them, confiscating their computers till they pay up.
Then as happened with the cyber cafes, they will start looking for Linux installers to migrate them. This will take them back to square 1 to start learning how to use Linux.
My suggestion therefore to the ICT Board is to seriously consider starting off these guys on Linux and the OpenICDL curriculum, which will mean that they don't have to buy software they can hardly afford, or use illegal copies and keep looking behind their backs.
Not to do this will be to encourage use of illegal software and vendor lock-in. It will also mean that they are setting the stage for mass failure of the whole project.
That is my humble opinion.
-- Evans Ikua Chairman Linux Professional Association of Kenya Tel: 20-250381, Cell: 0722 955 831 Eagle House, 2nd Floor Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House www.lpakenya.org
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