PUNE: A few months after a disagreement with Microsoft CEO Bill Gates on the issue of software security, President A P J Abdul Kalam on Wednesday called on Indian IT professionals to specialise in open source software rather than relying on proprietary solutions.
Many governments and companies have been increasingly attracted to open source software like Linux. Proprietary software like Microsoft Windows are not free for the user — some governments also feel more secure with an open source system.
Kalam made this clarion call after a tour of the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), at the Software Technology Park, Pune, which was dedicated to the nation on Wednesday.
On the extensive use of MS Windows at the institute, Kalam said, "The most unfortunate thing is that India still seems to believe in proprietary solutions. Further spread of IT, which is influencing the daily life of individuals, will have a devastating effect on the lives of society due to any small shift in the business practice involving these proprietary solutions. It is precisely for these reasons open source software needs to be built which will be cost effective for the entire society," said Kalam.
On his differences with Gates, Kalam said, "Our discussions became difficult since our views were different."
He also said there is a need for a "national citizen card" for multiple uses such as voter ID card, bank operations card and ration card. India should emerge not only as a software industry, but as an "ICT (Information and communication technology) industry".
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