A Global Reply: Building Better Alternatives to Big Tech—From Europe to India and Southeast Asia

Introduction: Why This Matters

Bert Hubert’s manifest is a crucial wake-up call for the European open-source community. His points—user experience, service-first delivery, privacy, and avoiding “America-light” solutions—are spot on. However, the conversation must not stop at Europe. India and Southeast Asia, with their rapidly growing digital economies, unique challenges, and vibrant open-source ecosystems, offer both inspiration and lessons for building truly global alternatives to big tech.

This piece builds on Hubert’s manifesto, emphasizing actionable solutions and regional context, and argues that the path forward requires collaboration, localization, and a relentless focus on user needs.

1. User Experience: No Excuses, Anywhere

Hubert’s Point: Open-source alternatives must be easier and more intuitive than big tech, or users will leave at the first hiccup.

Global Context:

  • India: Apps like DigiLocker and UMANG prove that government-backed open platforms can achieve mass adoption—if they prioritize simplicity, multilingual support, and mobile-first design.
  • Southeast Asia: Platforms like Gojek and Grab dominate because they solve real-world problems (payments, transport, food) with seamless UX. Open-source projects must match this bar.

Solution:

  • Invest in UX/UI teams from day one. Partner with local design schools (e.g., NID India, ITB Indonesia) to ensure cultural relevance.
  • Mobile-first is non-negotiable. In India and SE Asia, mobile is the primary (often only) internet access point. Test rigorously on low-cost devices and slow networks.
  • Localization: Support regional languages (Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai) and dialects. Use open tools like Weblate for community-driven translations.

2. Service-First, But Make It Local

Hubert’s Point: “Nobody runs their own software anymore.” Offering “as a service” is essential.

Global Context:

  • India: NIRA (open-core accounting) and ERPNext show how open-source SaaS can thrive by partnering with local providers for support, training, and customization.
  • SE Asia: OpenSID (Indonesia’s village management system) succeeds because it’s deployed as a service by local governments and NGOs, with on-the-ground training.

Solution:

  • Franchise model: Train local entrepreneurs to offer hosting, support, and customization. Example: Frappe School trains ERPNext partners across Asia.
  • Government partnerships: Work with digital governance initiatives (e.g., India’s DPI, Thailand’s GDCC) to embed open-source tools in public services.

3. Privacy and Data Sovereignty: A Competitive Edge

Hubert’s Point: Avoid cookies, trackers, and hyperscalers. Build trust through transparency.

Global Context:

  • India: The Data Protection Act 2023 mandates local data storage for sensitive sectors. Open-source projects can leverage this by offering sovereign cloud solutions (e.g., Sovereign Tech Fund model).
  • SE Asia: Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia are tightening data localization laws. Open-source projects can position themselves as compliant-by-design alternatives.

Solution:

  • Default to privacy: Use frameworks like Solid or Matrix for decentralized data control.
  • Local hosting: Partner with regional cloud providers (e.g., Alibaba Cloud, VNG Cloud) to offer compliant, low-latency services.

4. Know the Existing Ecosystem—Then Improve It

Hubert’s Point: Understand what users actually use (e.g., MS Office for mail merge) before proposing alternatives.

Global Context:

  • India: Small businesses rely on WhatsApp for commerce. Instead of replacing it, build interoperable tools (e.g., WhatsApp Business API + open-source CRM).
  • SE Asia: LINE and WeChat dominate messaging. Open-source alternatives must integrate with these platforms or offer clear migration paths.

Solution:

  • User research: Collaborate with local universities and NGOs to map workflows. Example: OpenFn helps NGOs integrate open-source tools with legacy systems.
  • Hybrid approaches: Build bridges between open and closed systems (e.g., Nextcloud + MS 365 connectors).

5. Cloud Alternatives: Think Regional, Act Global

Hubert’s Point: Europe lacks credible hyperscaler alternatives.

Global Context:

Solution:

  • Federated cloud: Advocate for open standards (e.g., Gaia-X in Asia) and partner with regional providers to offer multi-cloud portability.
  • Edge computing: Deploy lightweight, offline-first tools for rural areas (e.g., KubeEdge).

6. Security and Trust: No Shortcuts

Hubert’s Point: Open-source security must match or exceed big tech.

Global Context:

  • India: CERT-In mandates strict incident reporting. Open-source projects can build trust by adopting these standards early.
  • SE Asia: Cybersecurity is a growing priority. Projects like OpenSSF can help local teams adopt best practices.

Solution:

  • Bug bounty programs: Partner with platforms like Bugcrowd to incentivize security research in Asia.
  • Certifications: Pursue ISO 27001 and local equivalents (e.g., Singapore’s MTCS).

7. Education and Certification: Build the Pipeline

Hubert’s Point: Certifications matter for enterprise adoption.

Global Context:

Solution:

  • Micro-credentials: Offer badges for contributions (e.g., Badgr) and partner with universities for credit-bearing courses.
  • Corporate training: Work with local IT firms to embed open-source tools in their workflows.

8. Business Models: Sustainability First

Hubert’s Point: “Free” isn’t enough. Projects need revenue to scale.

Global Context:

Solution:

9. Collaboration Over Competition

Hubert’s Point: Open-source projects often reinvent the wheel.

Global Context:

Solution:

  • Shared infrastructure: Pool resources for CDN, DoS protection, and compliance (e.g., NLnet Foundation grants).
  • Cross-border communities: Host regional summits (e.g., FOSSASIA) to align priorities.

10. Look the Part—But Stay True to Values

Hubert’s Point: “Apple-level branding” isn’t required, but professionalism is.

Global Context:

Solution:

  • Modular branding: Tailor messaging for different audiences (e.g., NGOs vs. governments).
  • Storytelling: Highlight local success stories (e.g., Bhashini for Indian language AI).

OS-SCi: Answering Hubert’s Call for Open-Source Education and Community

Why Education is the Missing Link in Hubert’s Manifesto

Bert Hubert’s manifesto rightly emphasizes that open-source alternatives must match big tech in usability, reliability, and user trust. But he also highlights a critical gap: “We need people who know how to build, maintain, and advocate for these alternatives.” His points on certifications, training, and avoiding reinventing the wheel underscore a truth: without a skilled, global workforce, open-source alternatives will always lag behind.

At OS-SCi, we’re addressing this head-on. Our modular education programs, hackathons, and masterclasses are designed to train the next generation of open-source leaders—not just in Europe, but in India, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Here’s how we’re turning Hubert’s insights into action.

1. “Certifications, Opleidingen”: Building Credibility Through Structured Learning

Hubert argues that “the Microsofts and Oracles of this world grew big by training people” and that open-source projects often dismiss the value of certifications at their peril. OS-SCi flips this script by offering industry-recognized, modular open-source education that aligns with real-world needs.

How we do it:

  • Partnerships with global leaders: We collaborate with LPI, GitHub, and the Rust Foundation to ensure our curriculum is relevant, rigorous, and respected.
  • Micro-credentials and badges: Students earn verifiable certifications for contributions to projects like Lomiri and Nextcloud, proving their skills to employers.
  • Localized training: In India and Southeast Asia, we adapt our programs to regional tech stacks and languages, ensuring graduates can immediately contribute to local open-source ecosystems.

Result: Graduates don’t just “know open source”—they build, document, and scale it, addressing Hubert’s call for “people who can actually deliver”.

2. “Ken de Bestaande Software Heel Goed”: Learning by Contributing

Hubert warns against “claiming to be better without understanding what users actually need.” OS-SCi’s approach is simple: learn by fixing, improving, and extending real open-source projects.

Our method:

  • Hackathons with purpose: Students don’t just code—they solve real problems for open-source projects, from improving Ubuntu Touch apps to optimizing Nextcloud integrations.
  • Mentorship from maintainers: Experienced open-source developers guide students through user research, testing, and iterative design—skills Hubert identifies as critical for avoiding “America-light” solutions.
  • Paid bounties: Contributions to projects like Lomiri are financially rewarded, turning education into tangible impact (and addressing Hubert’s point about sustainable funding).

Example: A recent hackathon focused on replacing proprietary tools in Indian government workflows, resulting in open-source alternatives that are now used by local municipalities.

3. “Ja Ook de Saaie Stukjes”: Teaching the Unsexy (But Essential) Skills

Hubert laments that open-source projects often neglect “boring but necessary” work like documentation, accessibility, and compliance. OS-SCi makes these core parts of the curriculum:

  • Security and compliance: Students learn to audit code, implement ISO 27001 controls, and navigate licensing—directly responding to Hubert’s call for “solid, well-backed software.”
  • User experience (UX): Courses on open-source UX design ensure graduates can build interfaces that outperform big tech, not just technically but in usability.
  • Community management: We teach students how to onboard users, write docs, and triage issues—the “unseen work” that makes or breaks adoption.

Outcome: Graduates enter the workforce ready to tackle the “saaie stukjes” that Hubert says are too often ignored.

4. “Werk Samen”: Fostering Global Open-Source Communities

Hubert stresses that “open-source projects must collaborate beyond code”. OS-SCi’s global network of partners (universities, NGOs, and tech companies) creates a pipeline for collaboration:

  • Cross-border projects: Students in the Netherlands, India, and Vietnam co-develop solutions, mirroring the federated, inclusive ethos Hubert advocates.
  • Local hubs: In Southeast Asia, we partner with universities to embed open-source training in computer science degrees, ensuring the next generation defaults to open.
  • Alumni networks: Graduates join a global community of open-source contributors, sharing knowledge and resources—exactly the kind of “solid tent” Hubert says is needed to compete with big tech.

Case study: Our partnership with a Vietnamese university led to an open-source e-governance tool now used by three municipal governments, proving that local training yields global impact.

5. “Bring the Demo, Not the Memo”: Hands-On, Demo-Driven Learning

Hubert’s frustration with “initiatives that require 90 days just to schedule a call” is familiar. OS-SCi’s programs are demo-first:

  • Live projects: Students don’t just study theory—they ship features for real users, from Lomiri apps to open-source social media tools.
  • Public portfolios: Every graduate leaves with a Git repository showcasing their contributions—proof of skill for employers and open-source projects.
  • Open-source internships: Partners like UBports and Nextcloud offer paid roles to top students, ensuring talent stays in the ecosystem.

Hubert’s challenge: “Make it so easy to try that users become ambassadors.” Our response: Students build one-click demos and tutorials as part of their coursework, lowering the barrier to adoption.

6. Addressing Hubert’s “Wake-Up Call” for Asia

Hubert’s manifesto focuses on Europe, but India and Southeast Asia face unique challenges:

  • Proprietary lock-in: Governments and businesses default to closed platforms due to lack of local open-source expertise.
  • Language barriers: Most open-source docs and tools are English-first, alienating non-native speakers.
  • Fragmented ecosystems: Without coordination, open-source efforts duplicate work instead of scaling.

OS-SCi’s regional strategy:

  • Localized curricula: Courses in Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia, and Vietnamese, with examples tailored to regional use cases (e.g., open-source fintech for India’s UPI system).
  • Government partnerships: We work with digital public infrastructure (DPI) initiatives in India and Indonesia to train civil servants in open-source tools, directly reducing reliance on big tech.
  • Scholarships for underrepresented groups: Ensuring diverse voices shape open-source alternatives, not just use them.

Result: A growing cadre of developers who can build open-source solutions for their communities, not just consume them.

7. The OS-SCi Difference: Education as a Force Multiplier

Hubert’s manifesto is a call to action—but action requires people. OS-SCi is training those people:

  • For students: A pathway from classroom to open-source career.
  • For universities: A turnkey open-source curriculum that integrates with existing degrees.
  • For industry: A talent pipeline of developers who understand both the tech and the ethics of open source.

Key takeaway: Hubert asks, “Who will build the alternatives?” Our answer: We’re training them.

Conclusion: From Manifesto to Movement

Bert Hubert’s manifesto diagnoses the problems; OS-SCi provides the cure. By combining structured education, real-world contribution, and global collaboration, we’re creating the skilled, motivated workforce that open-source alternatives need to thrive.

For institutions and governments: Partner with us to scale open-source education in your region. For students and professionals: Join us to build the future Hubert envisions—one where open source isn’t just an ideal, but the default.



Breaking the Algorithmic Echo Chamber
How Open-Source Education Can Set Us Free