Three companies in Brazil—BitWay Computadores, EnabledPeople, and Imtech—have begun deploying Linux-powered desktop PCs for the Brazilian federal governments “Computers for All” program, EnabledPeople announced today. The ready-to-use PCs, sourced by Bitway, include the “Linux XP Desktop” operating system, developed by EnabledPeople and supported by Imtech.
Estimated monthly deployment is about 10,000 desktops, with 50,000 desktops already delivered, EnabledPeople, a Linux development company, said. The company did not indicate the total number of desktops that are to be deployed in the course of the project.
The Computers for All project is part of the Brazilian federal governments “Program of Digital Inclusion,” initiated in 2003. The projects objective is to provide low-cost computers to the population and to boost technological development, EnabledPeople said.
Linux XP Desktop is described as a user-friendly desktop operating system for home and office users. With a preinstalled version, a user gets an application set that includes the OpenOffice.org office suite, the Evolution e-mail client, the Firefox Web browser, and the GAIM multi-protocol instant messenger, among other software. According to EnabledPeople, Linux XP Desktop is a Red Hat-compatible operating system, and is compatible with Red Hats application set.
EnabledPeople and Imtech have partnered to work on Latin America Linux solutions, according to EnabledPeople. Imtech will represent EnabledPeoples interests, sell its products, and provide technical support by phone and by Web help desk for the products, company officials said.