Cambodia

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Cambodia
5th Asia Open Source Software Symposium Hotel
Nikko Century Center-Beijing, China

• 2005
• The year for Free and Open Source

Noy Shoung Deputy Secretary General National
Information Communications Technology Development
Authority (NiDA)
2005 Year of the Penguin
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2005

• Change in gears
• Understanding the value of FOSS and localization.
• Development of FOSS Master Plan
• Coordination of FOSS efforts inside the country
  into an Action Plan.
• Created FOSS Department in NiDA. Training of the
  Government Officials started
• Advanced strongly on localization of end-user
  tools, documentation and training materials,
  getting ready for distribution.

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2005

• Change in gears
• Understanding the value of FOSS and localization.

Computer
English
Localization separates the skills of English
and Computer.
Localization of Open Source in countries where no
other localized software is available
competitive advantage and demand for FOSS from
users.
creates
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FOSS Master Plan - Motivation

• For final-users.
• Reduction of training time.
• Being able to reach out to schools and rural
  areas.
• Reduction of the digital divide.
• For the Government.
• Being able to work and maintain databases Khmer
  script.
• Having low-cost local software-development
  providers.
• Decrease dependency from proprietary software
  companies. Increase security.

• For Cambodian culture
• Entering into an age of technology without
  forfeiting our own language and culture.
• For private ICT industry.
• Development of Expertise and business with
  government and private sector.
• For Universities.
• Developing expertise and providing the
  professional the country will need.
• For all.
• Saving in software and training costs.

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Stage 1

• PRODUCTION

• Localization of Multi-platform Applications
• Documents and Training Materials
• Defining Research and Support Center
• Developing Khmer Script Support on Linux

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Stage 2

• Distribution and Installation of FOSS
  applications directly and through partners (on MS
  Windows platform).
• Training of Trainers to Khmer FOSS Applications.
  Development of a final-user FOSS certification
  program. Training of Government Official.
• Integration in Education System.
• Creation of Research and Support Center
• Development of Open Standards for Government
• Development of Complete Linux Distribution in
  Khmer

DISTRIBUTION TRAINING RESEARCH CENTER OPEN
STANDARDS KHMER DISTRO
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Stage 3

• MIGRATION
• DISTRIBUTION
• TRAINING
• IMPROVEMENT OF SOFTWARE

• Government starts migration to Linux.
• Installation campaign all over the country.
• Retraining of Trainers to Linux Desktop.
• Upgrade of certification system to include Linux
  Khmer desktop. Training for universities and
  private industry.
• Development of two more versions of Khmer Distro.

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Stage 4

• Government completes migration to Linux.
• Open standards consolidated.
• Evaluation and improvement of Training
  Certification program.
• Sustainability procedures for Research Support
  Center established. New versions of the Distro
  produced.
• Local companies develop applications for
  Government based on OSS.
• Universities produce graduates prepared to work
  on FOSS.

• CONSOLIDATION

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Strategy
OpenSource Applications in Khmer running on
Windows
MS Applications In English Running on Windows
Weak barriers User demand
Strong barriers (fear)
OpenSource Applications in Khmer Running on
Linux
Training
Installation
Elimination of barriers
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State of the Plan

• Standardization accomplished. Unicode fonts and
  keyboards available.
• Support of Khmer on Windows and Linux ready.
• Basic applications already localized Firefox,
  Thunderbird (modified in Cambodia for developing
  countries) and OpenOffice 2.0.
• Documentation and training materials for Internet
  applications developed.
• Working on training materials for OpenOffice 2.0
• Open Source Department of NiDA created.
• Contacts with computer vendors, who have agreed
  to install in all new computers.
• Training of Government Officials and ICT
  Education for all to use of Open Source has
  already started.
• Waiting for release of OpenOffice 2.0 to launch
  Stage 2.

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Conclusions

• Cambodia is ripe for the use of Open Source
  software. Localization turns users and potential
  users into demanders of Open Source. The
  possibilities of change are very real.
• Change needs to take place now. There is a
  two-year window of opportunity.
• Cambodia has the expertise, the energy and the
  Plan to make it work.
• The only barrier is the lack of funding to start
  the first three years of the project.

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Thank you for your attention

• Noy Shoung
• Deputy Secretary General
• Email noy_shoung_at_nida.gov.kh
• Website www.nida.gov.kh