Vortragender

Florian Schirg

Inhalt

In many lower or middle income countries modern software licences are virtually unaffordable to their citizens. (Ghosh 2003) Therefore, and for the issue of non-availability of localized language software, one would expect that computer users would opt for FOSS licences in order to be able to work. Qualitative research with expert interviews conducted in numerous Southern Indian States shows that this is not the case. Several reasons for this could be identified, yet also one outstanding case of one state and its progressive switch to FOSS friendly policies shows that everything could result into different 'equilibria' of a networked society. The example of Kerala outlines the particular role of the state towards the issue of market regulations in this specific field, including aspects of regional economic and technology development while striving for digital inclusion.