CZ: Open Source training draws 600 students

The attendees, coming from all over the country, had little or no IT knowledge. They were brought up to speed on the use of GNU/Linux, an Open Source operating system, learned to work with Open Office, a suite of Open Source office applications and acquired basic Internet skills using Open Source web browser Firefox and Open Source email client Thunderbird.

Vendula Lodlova, one of the trainees who attended all three courses, said she found them very usefull. "I liked the course a lot and find the books and LiveDVD that were handed out very handy." Lodlova had no previous experience with computers but after finishing the courses, bought a new laptop computer. "It came without operating system, and I asked a friend to install GNU/Linux."

The courses where organised between September and December last year. As part of the project, three course books and basic manuals were published by the ministry.

The registration fee for the courses was 100 CZk, about 4 euro. The training itself was paid for by the ministry. In total 1800 students registered, most of them taking all three of the courses.

With basic courses like these, the Czech government aims to increase public IT skills. Last year it was the first time the topic included Open Source software. "This software can be downloaded and used at home for free and we're showing the students how easy it is to use it", explained one of the Open Source teachers.

© European Communities 2007
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
The views expressed are not an official position of the European Commission.
Disclaimer