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Posted: Mon, October 13, 2003
Welsh PC available by 2004, says Delta one SolutionsBy Basheera KhanA North Wales company has joined forces with KGyfieithu, the project to create a Welsh computing environment for Welsh speakers and learners running on GNU/Linux open source operating systems. Delta one Solutions, a start-up company based in Conwy, is working with KGyfieithu to create a possible first for the Welsh ICT market - a fully-functional Welsh PC targeted at the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector, and set to ship at the beginning of next year.  Andrew Hutchings, founder of Delta one Solutions, says the idea was born out of his desire to see more
Linux-based installations on office computers. Hutchings is also the head of the North Wales Linux User Group (LUG), and it was at a LUG meeting that he first met Kevin Donnelly, the Anglesey-based programmer behind KGyfieithu, and head of the Menai LUG. Between them, a strategy for improving the profile and awareness of Linux in Wales emerged, underpinned by the need to make the operating system available to users in the two sectors which Hutchings and Donnelly have identified as their primary targets; business and education. These are the markets which they believe stand to benefit most from the advantages of open source software, namely cost, stability, security, and independence. With a background in firmware programming and technical services, Hutchings established Delta one Solutions as a provider of low-cost computers to the SME sector. A key aspect to the company's business model is that of recycling older computers or components, and it's through this strategy, says Hutchings, that customers will be able to fully appreciate the cost-effectiveness of the open source software on which the Welsh PC will be based. "Although we will be supplying high-end machines if they're specifically requested, for most office requirements, a low-end machine will suffice - and of course, installing a Linux operating system and open source applications on these machines will be a lot cheaper than using Windows 2000 or XP." The Welsh Linux-based PCs will make use of most of the applications which have already been translated, including AbiWord for word processing and Mozilla or Konqueror for web browsing. More applications will be added as the various translation projects underway progress. In keeping with the open source ethic, Hutchings says Delta one Solutions will not charge customers for the Linux installation, whether in English or Welsh, and the company will offer two hours of tuition free of charge, in order to assist customers migrating to Linux. All told, businesses which make the move to using recycled computers running an open source operating system, can expect to pay up to £100 less per machine than if they were using a Windows alternative. With funding from the Welsh Development Agency and the Prince's Trust, Hutchings says the company will initially focus on meeting the needs of Welsh speakers in North Wales, although there are plans to extend the services to other regions as well. Related articlesWelsh Linux on the cardsOpen source software for business ContactsDelta one SolutionsTel: 07732 527 893 E-mail: sales@deltaonesolutions.co.uk Web: http://www.deltaonesolutions.co.uk KGyfieithu Web: http://www.kyfieithu.co.uk/ |
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