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Wednesday, August 09, 2006
95% of cyber cafes still use MS Office
Most Internet café operators in Cebu still use the Microsoft (MS) Office instead of cheaper open office software, because their customers prefer using the MS.
In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Felix Cogal Jr., president of the Internet Café Association of Cebu (Icac), said 90 to 95 percent of Internet café operators use the MS Office software while only five to 10 percent utilize open office, such as Star Office and 6502 Office.
“A lot of café operators try alternative software but failed because customers prefer using MS Office since they are used to it,” Cogal said.
He said that while Internet café operators are able to save about 50 percent when purchasing open office software compared to licensed MS Office, they give more consideration to the preferences of their customers.
Icac reported that the price of a licensed MS Office range from P25,000 to P30,000.
Cogal proposed that “small” Internet cafes use open office software, which is affordable. He said for less cost, Internet café operators would still be able to comply with the law.
Pirated
Icac aims to help members use licensed software and avoid legal penalties that apply to companies and Internet cafés that use pirated MS Office software.
Cogal said many Internet cafes use pirated MS Office software.
“Before Cebu becomes an Information Technology (IT) hub, we must protect it from piracy,” Cogal said.
He assured, though, that through Icac’s licensing program, members that cannot afford to purchase licensed software can avail of one through installment payment system.
Icac has close to 400 members. (MMM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 9, 2006 issue)
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