– Perhaps this could be the great news for the FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) project lovers,

In a big revolutionary move towards ‘Open source Computing’ was set forth by the Simputer project. Alchemy – the user interface used on the Amida Simputer – has been open sourced, and the code has been released under the General Public License. By “open sourcing” the code, it would mean that the software would be made available to the general public with either relaxed or non-existent intellectual property restrictions.

The Simputer is a self-contained, sharable and handheld computer, designed for situations where personal computers were inapt. Due to the low cost, and the attempt to make it sharable, it was also seen as useful to bring computing power to the “developing” countries.

Born in Bangalore, the Simputer project evoked a large interest across the globe in recent years, though the project failed to make the impact it was expected to earlier. Efforts are still underway though to build on the project, this move may prove it to be the right one, accordingly!!

Open sourcing of software projects is seen as beneficial as it enables users to build or improve user-generated software through incremental individual effort, or collaboration.

Way to go, Simputer!!