Red Hat Supports UNDP's Sustainable Development Networking Program Efforts to Build ICT Capacity in Developing Countries

Business Wire, Dec 15, 1998

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1998--Red Hat Software is proud to announce that it has been working with, and will continue to work with, the United Nations Development Program's catalytic initiative, the Sustainable Development Networking Program (SDNP).

The non-profit campaign provides a wide variety of Red Hat software and support materials to 40 developing countries world-wide where SDNP has operations.

SDNP helps people in developing countries access and share knowledge to better their lives, specifically through the tool of cutting edge information and communication technologies (ICT). Sustainable development means development that generates economic growth and distributes benefits equitably. The SDNP seeks out technologies and technology leaders that regenerate rather than destroy the environment, empower people rather than marginalizing them, enable people's participation in decision making processes and expand peoples opportunities and choices.

ICT is now a fundamental component to dealing with all development issues. SDNP currently offers assistance in establishing connectivity to national networks and the Internet, content provision and aggregation, and user training. In a nutshell, SDNP is helping to facilitate the 'leap-frogging' of developing countries into 21st century technology thereby moving nations closer to their sustainable development goals.

"We have been a proponent and user of the Linux open source operating system since we began in 1992," said SDNP Technical Advisor Raul Zambrano. "And the recent support from Red Hat to all of our operations overseas has been of significant help."

The Red Hat/SDNP initiative is already seeing great success in installing Red Hat Linux in 140,000 elementary and middle-school computer labs in the Mexican school system. The Mexican government was first turned onto Red Hat and open-source technology for financial reasons.

Red Hat President, Bob Young said, "Making a difference where it is needed most was the driving force behind making this kind of contribution."

Young went on to say, "Organizations like the Mexican Government have a vested interest in providing the highest level of education for their students and making them competitive on a global scale. However, they lack the financial resources to even consider proprietary technologies. The beauty of Red Hat Linux and other open-source technologies is that they provide cutting edge technology and world-wide support at a minimal cost. We are very proud to have a hand in a movement that is providing equal opportunities to people and communities that would otherwise be denied because of money."

"We are very excited about the support from Red Hat Software," adds Zambrano. "It demonstrates the kind of corporate leadership needed in leveling the playing field among developing and developed nations. The end result is good for all of us."

Young added, "Where else could you assist so many countries and people at once? I'm proud we have helped a little in SDNP getting results ranging from stimulating the provision of Internet access across Africa to saving lives in Pakistan by locating supplies of rare blood types needed for transfusions!"

Although Linux is accessible free of charge, the complimentary Red Hat software makes it easier for people to use Linux. The approach is to bundle all the necessary bits and pieces into a cohesive distribution. Since the release of version 4.0, Red Hat Linux runs on three leading computing platforms: Intel compatible PCs, Digital Alpha computers, and Sun SPARC equipment. Additionally, Red Hat Linux is shipped with the exact source code used to make the operating system. By shipping the source code, the end user has control and flexibility with their operating system.

About Linux

Linux is the cooperatively developed POSIX-oriented, multi-user, multi-tasking operating system used world wide. Linux is used as an exceptional value, fully functional UNIX workstation for Internet servers and other applications.

Red Hat Linux is maintained as "freely distributable" software available from many sites on the Internet.

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Founded in 1994, Red Hat Software is based in Research Triangle Park, NC, where it builds and maintains the award-winning Red Hat Linux operating system. Working in cooperation with a huge development team of research, academic, and commercial software developers over the Internet, Red Hat's goal is to build the most accessible and advanced operating system available anywhere.

Red Hat Linux for Intel(R), Alpha(TM), and Sun SPARC(R) platforms continues to gain recognition in the computer industry: From 1996 to the present, Red Hat Linux was twice named InfoWorld's Product of the Year, was given a Productivity accolade in Software Development's "Jolt" Awards, was named an Environment/Desktop finalist in the Ziff-Davis European Excellence Awards, won the reader's choice awards from both the Linux Journal and Australian Personal Computing Magazines, and won the "Just Plain Cool" award