You dont have to pay for software, there is Open Source

Over the period of technological advancement in the developing countries, big tech companies have taken this chance to harvest profits from the markets. It is eveident that Big technlogy companies usually make bigger profits in developing countries.This is attributed to the large market and  less risk of their products being compromised.
In kenya for instance, over 98% of the computers run on proprietary software. This ranges from personal computers at homes to the business premises. This has greatly impacted the sale of software in the region as most people opt to buy the proprietary software.
I sought to understand why this is figure is so large and the responses indicated the need for the tech gurus and enthusiasts of Kenya to go out and teach the common people alternatives.
Some of common reasons for reliance to proprietary software are;

• "I dont know if there are alternative to what i use now"
• "What is Linux?"
• "I dont know how to use linux"
• "I think Microsoft is more secure"
• "Everyone is running on Microsoft how will i not use it?"
• "I frequently use Microsoft Office"
• "MAC has its class"
•  "Microsoft is cheaper!"
• "Linux is complicated"

These where the actual responses from the people i talked to. Most of them a laughable and others can not be mentioned in a serious tech talk though i saw it right to mention out here to bring out the point.
In the current "connected" generation very people understand that they can still get the functionality of their computers with totally free software without purchasing a single part or addition of the software. Most people tend to think that its only Microsoft that can make their computer usable, they fail to understand that there are other operatign systems out there which make the systems work better and equally the same.
The reason why people think that Microsoft is cheaper is because it becomes preloaded in the machines they buy, little do they know that they indirectly pay for it and once a new version of the Operating System is available they will have to buy it.
All the normal computer users out there should understand that whatever your computer does on proprietary software, there is a open source free alternative for the same. People need to research and increase their knowledge on the alternatives as this will only be the way to save costs incurred in purchasing software. Tell your IT guy to dual boot your current Microsoft computer with an alternative open source, practice how to use and  with time you will find that their is no beast in knowing how to use Open source software.