Site Meter Tux Watch » Blog Archive » Google Invests In Linux - Sponsors Linux and FOSS Notebooks for Fijian Schools

Google Invests In Linux - Sponsors Linux and FOSS Notebooks for Fijian Schools

by Fouad Bajwa

googlelinuxSearch engine giant Google Inc., is extending its corporate social responsibility to the developing world community through making significant grants for computer hardware equipped with Linux and various other FOSS applications. According to a post on Google’s official coding Blog [here], Google has made a grant that enables notebook computers running Linux and a variety of FOSS to be rolled out at rural schools in Fiji.

Google’s Open Source Program Office has extended the donation via the Imara Project at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The project aims to

expand the use of technology in developing communities and is providing computers based on FOSS for each elementary school in Fiji’s rural Taveuni school district. The hardware is carries Edubuntu Linux and some other FOSS applications not preloaded on Edubuntu. The student desktops granted by Google are running the following FOSS applications:

  • GCompris
  • TuxMath
  • TuxTyping
  • TuxPaint
  • The GIMP
  • KTouch
  • OpenOffice
  • GeoGebra
  • KBruch (math with fractions)
  • KPercentage
  • KTurtle (turtle logo programing)
  • KStars
  • Calculator

The project has some follow-up activities planned including deployment of a 20-seat Edubuntu installation in larger schools as well as local capacity development by sponsoring a Fijian teacher’s travel to spend time with the MIT Team. According to the Blog, the project is separate from OLPC.

Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Tux Watch. It's Free!

Leave a Reply


About Tux Watch

Are you tired of Windows crashing , removing spyware, viruses, and proprietary lock-in? Are you frustrated with licensing fees and software activation demands? Are you dreading the arrival of Windows Vista, with its increased hardware requirements? Are you willing to try something different?

Tux Watch will search the web for the best resources of software, top articles and tips and even have tutorials to get you started. Linux is a free and open-source operating system that has seen tremendous growth in the past several years. Linux is stable, secure, and very powerful. It is also has tremendous capabilities, far beyond those available with other operating systems. .

Tux Watch Author(s)
    » Jeff-Christman

Technology Channel Posts

Hot Off The Press

  • This Isn't Your Dad's Model Car!
    My kids are new to the Build-a-Bear scene but they love the idea of it. I can see why, you get a basic something and then create whatever you want from there. Both boys and girls love it and [...]
  • Cory in the House for Nintendo DS Review
    The other day I tried out Cory in the House for Nintendo DS as a rental game. The video game is based on the Disney Channel show of the same name. It includes many of the show's characters such [...]
  • Week-long activities educate about transgender daily lives
    Transgender Awareness Week has brought education and attention about transgender issues. Shannon Jolliff, Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs director, said it has been a success on campus. "The [...]
  • Talking to Someone After A Failed Suicide Attempt
    I've screwed up more suicide attempts than I care to admit, so I'm sadly more than qualified to write this article. If you're reading this, chances are you have also gone through a failed suicide [...]
  • "Uncle Tom"?
    Ralph Nader Calls Obama "Uncle Tom"? Video And Transcript http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21169.htm Fox News distorts Nader's comments to paint him as a racist Posted [...]
  • Clip of the Week
    This week's clip comes from The Young & the Restless. This is a clip of Nina confronting her husband David Kimble on all of the lies that he had been telling her. This week after seeing Tricia Cast [...]
  • Same Workout, New Pants Size
    Make your usual workout burn more calories -- without working a stitch harder -- with this simple switch: Do cardio before you strength train. Doing cardio first -- brisk walking, cycling, swing [...]
  • FSU weekly news (November 17 - November 21)
    In this edition of FSU Headlines (15:20): - FSU Goes to Omaha - FSU Driving the Future - FSU Making Cents for Students - FSU Going Global - FSU Goes Hands-On with Tuition, Music Subscribe to FSU [...]
  • Your dog lets others know all about you!!!
    [caption id="attachment_839" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="What does this dog say about its owner?"][/caption] More and more people have dogs as members of their families and some research [...]
  • Utley Out Until June 2009?
    This is not good for Phillie fans, not good at all... Three-time All-Star Chase Utley, who anchored the middle of the lineup for the World Series champion Phillies, will have surgery and may [...]