Cuba develops own free Linux called 'Nova'

Cuba launched its own variant of the Linux computer operating system
this week in the latest front of the communist island's battle against
what it views as U.S. hegemony.

The Cuban variant, called Nova, was introduced at a Havana computer
conference on "technological sovereignty" and is central to the Cuban
government's desire to replace the Microsoft software running most of
the island's computers.

The government views the use of Microsoft systems, developed by
U.S.-based Microsoft Corp, as a potential threat because it says U.S.
security agencies have access to Microsoft codes.

Also, the long-standing U.S. trade embargo against the island makes it
difficult for Cubans to get Microsoft software legally and to update
it.

"Getting greater control over the informatic process is an important
issue," said Communications Minister Ramiro Valdes, who heads a
commission pushing Cuba's migration to free software.

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