Harare — The Information, Communication Technology Exhibition, ICT Africa 2009 opened at the Harare International Conference Centre on a high note on Tuesday with over 80 local and foreign exhibitors ranging from service providers, software developers and hardware retailers showcasing their products.

Running under the theme "ICTs and Innovations Strategic Opportunities and Challenges," the exhibition is set to end today.

The Ubuntu stand proved popular with its Freedom Toaster which visitors were using to download software free of charge.

Ubuntu, the organisation, derives its name from a community developed Linux based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers named Ubuntu.

Whether one uses it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications one will ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

"Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. One does not pay any licencing fees.

"One can download, use and share Ubuntu with friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing," said Mr Arthur Garande who is part of Ubuntu's Locoteam.

The organisation has local teams of volunteers around the world who push for the use of Ubuntu and interest has been growing since the day its sponsor Mark Shuttleworth began to round up a small but immensely talented and dedicated group of open source developers to create a revolutionary new Linux desktop.

"We believe in the spirit of sharing and making software available to everyone who wants it.

"This product has been growing from strength to strength and it will continue growing not only because it's free but you are also free from virus infections which are a trend with other operating systems," said Mr Neill Coetzer, also with Ubuntu.

Mr Joseph Bunga, who runs an ICT company, said using Ubuntu had cut down his costs substantially as he did not have to pay for a licence to use Ubuntu.

"My server which supports 20 computers has been running on Ubuntu for the past four years and I have had no problems with it, it has helped me cut costs as all I did was get clone PCs with no software and then load my Ubuntu," said Mr Bunga.

Just like the French Parliament, the Parliament of Zimbabwe has from February been using Ubuntu and their server has since then been more stable.

Mr Ganyani Khosa, the Parliament's ICT Director, said they will not be switching to any operating system because of the convenience Ubuntu has given them.

"Now Parliamentarians can access their emails at parliament building as we have a small internet café for them.

"We cannot be seen pirating software so why look for operating systems we can't afford yet there's Ubuntu, which is free," said Mr Khosa.