I read a piece of news yesterday in my local newspaper about Linux-based ATMs which might soon become a reality in rural India (I am unable to find any online source for this news). With Linux-based ATMs being much cheaper than traditional ATMs using proprietary software, I can see how this can help banks gain a competitive advantage by being able to serve a larger number of customers at a lower cost. The cost-benefit advantage is *huge* when you consider the scales of population involved and equally, the benefits for the people are enormous. It also shows that there is still a large, untapped market in rural areas for such technological amenities. I do wish there would be more coverage of such news in the mainstream media - it might help convince those who continue to believe that Linux is merely a competitor to Microsoft on the destkop and doesn't have any utility beyond that. I think the West particularly isn't able to appreciate that the real action for Linux is in the so-called third-world countries looking to modernize technology as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible.

The real power of Linux is seen not by elite desktop or power users sitting in their air-conditioned homes or offices, but by organizations looking for cost advantage and competitiveness for commercial and community projects like this. And this is how Linux helps in truly empowering people - by providing freely available technology that is truly inexpensive and accessible by all.