I do show my support for US companies - by selling US technology overseas whenever and whereever possible. And that is exactly what IBM is doing here.
They are NOT releasing DB2 code. They are simply including a crippleware version of their DB2 database - to develope future sales. They are NOT giving anything away here. They are distributing free samples to get Chinese programers and companies "hooked" on their software. They are in effect making the bet that down the road there will be more people who will want to use their DB2 software rather than convert their database.
I'm not promoting any forgien alternative - It does not bother me that they want to make a Chinese language Linux because a Chinese version of Linux is of ZERO use to me or any of the customers and people that I work with.
Here is a news flash - programing and software development is a skill and a skill that has no geographic constraints. Anyone with a computer, some time, and access to the Internet can become a good programer. With experience, even a great programer. There is no tool of government, no restriction, no law that can change that fact. The cat is out of the bag. And China, India, Russia, any country that desires to can develop the skills to become excellent software producers.
Quality programing is becoming a commodity - the US needs to realize this and adapt and overcome. You do that by getting there "firstest with the mostest".
And that is exactly what IBM is doing.
They are simply including a crippleware version of their DB2 database - to develope future sales. They are NOT giving anything away here. Sure they are. The right to charge China for AIX instead. Among other things like our dominant edge in operating system software.
They are in effect making the bet that down the road there will be more people who will want to use their DB2 software rather than convert their database.
Which is a joke. Do you know why the Chinese chose Linux? Because it wasn't American. They used to run Windows remember. DB2 will suffer a similar fate, as soon as they are humanly capable of ditching it. IBM is selling out for the here and now.
It does not bother me that they want to make a Chinese language Linux because a Chinese version of Linux is of ZERO use to me or any of the customers and people that I work with.
That's about to change... http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/09/08/HNenglishredflag_1.html
Quality programing is becoming a commodity...
Let's hope not, some of us make a living on it. And you'll never outproduce the slave camps in China, better to keep them building trinkets instead.