Sustainable software

Witsnews, 3 September 2002

by Chandra Gajjar

Can software go green, free and cost-effective? Software is perhaps one of the least talked about issues at the summit.

At the WaterDome however, an effort is being made to bring computers into the spotlight by proving that information technology resources can be used in a cost-effective manner.

Small businesses, which cannot afford the high cost of licensing software or expensive electricity, have an alternative solution.

Using open-source software, businesses can cut the cost of licensing fee. In rural areas where electricity is expensive, multiple computer terminals using Thin Client technology can be set up, reducing the cost of electricity by 80 percent.

The computers at the WaterDome run on open-source Linux software. This means that unlike Microsoft products, the software can be downloaded for free off the Internet, or is available cheaply at computer stores.

Computers at the media centre have no hard drives and applications that need to be installed or used, run on a central server. The effect on sustainability is dramatic.

"Computers without hard drives drop the power consumption by 80 percent," said James Melliar, the technical director of NewWave Communications. He explained that since water is a fundamental element in the generation of hydropower, using Thin Client technology could save up to 20 percent of the water consumption for businesses.

"For Africa to pull itself out of the financial mess, we need to develop small businesses, not large corporations. By using Linux, small business can create an environment of support for each other, and without heavy costs," he said.

Newsrooms in Uganda have already adopted the use of open source software and Thin Client technology.

"If it saves power it can be viable. Power saving technology is in the interest of everyone and there are a number of organisations that have this in Uganda," said David Kaiza, a journalist for the East African newspaper.

But the effect of "sustainable software" is not promising to all. "I know how computer people operate and there's nothing really for free. There's always a catch somewhere," said Kaiza.

Journalists working at the media centre have never been exposed to software in this way before and some find the experience frustrating, despite Melliar's intentions.

"Since journalists are so open-minded, we decided to use Linux to expose them to this type of system. We hope that they will go back to their home countries and tell everyone," said Melliar.

But Micheal Schweres, the executive director of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists disagrees. "In France we use it and it’s great. But here, not many journalists know how to use this and for the media, it’s not the best thing to do. They need to meet a deadline and not knowing the software is very frustrating."