Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 12:27:49 -0400 From: "Adlai Amor" <AAMOR@wri.org> To: <mjhammel@lwn.net> Subject: Re: Linux at Creating Digital Dividends Dear Tim: We are glad that you are concerned with the global digital divide and our attempts to solve this problem. Since the problem cannot be solved just by one individual, we welcome the participation of all those who are concerned. We would like to be clear, however, that the Creating Digital Dividends Conference (http://www.digitaldividend.org) is not focused on specific technologies or operating systems, but rather on new business models that accelerate sustainable development. The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org), organized the conference to challenge the digital industry to rethink their business models and reformulate their products and services in ways that can serve the needs of people in poor communities throughout the world and provide the tools for radically improved management of natural resources. We do not care which technology will be used, provided it gets the job done. Indeed, in many Third World countries, some of the solutions may hinge not on the desktop computer but in mobile devices like cell phones. This Creating Digital Dividends Conference is just the start of the process and we welcome the participation of all groups and all sectors of the digital industry in meeting this challenge. For example, the conference is showcasing the Simputer, a Linux-based open source computer designed for use in developing countries by the Simputer Trust of Bangalore, India (http://www.simputer.org). Several months ago, we also extended invitations to all sectors of the industry, including senior executives at Red Hat, a leading Linux company (which they, unfortunately, turned down). WRI is also bringing together entrepreneurs, government representatives, and other groups from developing countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, China, and India. Being a national of the Philippines, I am particularly excited by this conference. I was in Bangalore this year and have seen how digital technologies can empower communities. I have also seen how, by using cell phones, rural farmers can get better prices for their crops. This may seem mundane to people who live in developed countries, but in villages where such technologies are new, it is quite revolutionary. You can watch the conference proceedings through our daily Webcast at www.digitaldividend.org. We hope that we can count on your support in encouraging the development of the technologies needed to bridge this digital divide, no matter what operating system is used. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. Thank you. Adlai Amor ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Adlai Amor ***************************************************** Adlai J. Amor Media Director World Resources Institute 10 G Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA Tel: (+202) 729 7736 * Fax: (+202) 729 7616 Email: aamor@wri.org Website: http://www.wri.org *****************************************************