Are Linux supporters seditionists?
Posted on 09/23/2003 10:28:24 AM PDT by Golden Eagle
IBM to launch Linux technology center in South China ( 2003-09-23 19:27) (Xinhua)
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) Tuesday signed a memorandum with Guangdong Province for joint efforts to launch its second Linux technology support center in China, following the setting up of the first one in Beijing in June.
The center will provide software testing, project and technology management services, and professional training courses, according to IBM.
Linux, a server and personal computer operating system now in popular use worldwide, is of great use for the development of China's software industry due to its openness, security and lower cost.
China's governmental organizations and units have increased the use of Linux since its introduction in 2001.
The launch of the center will help promote the use of Linux in local government's projects based on information technology, said Xu Zhibiao, director of the Guangdong Provincial Information Industry Department.
Are Linux supporters seditionists?
NOT
Microsoft has nothing to fear from these clueless bozos.
BUMP
Nice contribution to the thread. Looks like you must be one of the Linux crowd.
The US workforce (soon to become 'workfarce') just needs to learn to feel good without an income.
http://www.forbes.com/2003/02/28/cx_da_0228topnews.html
The deal is part of an attempt by Gates' Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) to assuage Chinese concerns about the integrity of its computer operating systems. It is the fourth such deal Microsoft has reached in recent weeks--the others were with NATO, Russia and Britain--by which the company offers access to the programming code underlying several versions of its Windows operating system to allay security concerns.
Gates is in Beijing where he met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and announced what might be called a modified open-kimono policy personally. Chinese press reports note that Gates is a guest of the Chinese State Development Planning Commission.
"This is such an important agreement for us, and such a milestone in our relationship with China that we chose to do it at a time when I was here in China," Gates said at a news conference, reported by The Associated Press.
There was a time when U.S. companies expressed fears that China might spy on them. Now it seems that the shoe is at least partly on the other foot, with China fearing spying by the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant.
China, like other governments and private sectors, worries that overreliance on Windows software could make it vulnerable to high maintenance costs and safety loopholes. In China, there are apparently additional concerns that relying on Microsoft could subject the government--either by Microsoft or the U.S. government--to spying through electronic "back doors."
In China, as elsewhere, some officials and technical advisers have suggested using open-source software such as Linux, which can be used and modified for free. By offering governments a peek at its source code, Microsoft would seem to allay such concerns.
Gates said access to the code will let governments evaluate for themselves the security of the Windows platform. It also will give them the technical data they need to develop their own secure applications to work atop Windows.
"It's part of the commitment to make sure that governments and industries are working together in the best possible way," the AP quoted Gates as saying. Microsoft says it is in talks with 30 other governments to sign similar agreements.
Microsoft has invested heavily in China, despite concerns that its software is widely pirated there. So far, it has earned no profits, but the allure of China's giant and fast-growing market remains strong.
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/asia/07/09/hk.microsoftchina/
By CNN's Kristie Lu Stout
HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Software giant Microsoft has entrusted a state-owned software firm to create a security program for its Windows software.
The China National Computer Software & Technology Service Corporation (CS&S) will tailor an encryption program for Microsoft's Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional products to be sold in the Chinese market.
Analysts say the move is aimed at pacifying large government or state-run clients at a time when the rival Linux operating system is making major inroads into the China market.
"They are willing to play on Chinese government rules," said Ion Global analyst Frank Yu. "It's a positive for both China and Microsoft."
More encryption control for China According to Microsoft, the CS&S security product is expected to augment existing security applications as a safeguard for secure data transactions for e-government and financial projects.
CS&S will develop and own the intellectual property rights of the encryption code.
Microsoft will support CS&S in the development process, by providing access to its Windows source code, hardware test tool kits and technical support.
After the product receives final approval from the State Encryption Administration of China, it will be bundled with Windows software for sale in China by late 2001-early 2002.
Microsoft says the move is motivated by its mission to bolster the Chinese software industry.
"Microsoft is committed to partner with local industry and to meet local customer needs," Microsoft Greater China regional director Alexander Huang said in a statement.
"CS&S and Microsoft cooperation shows Microsoft's leadership in providing support for local customer and industry needs."
But industry observers say by supporting a local security solution, Microsoft is finally answering a long-standing complaint that poor encryption makes Microsoft clients vulnerable to hack attacks.
"The Chinese have always felt that Microsoft has all these security holes," said Yu. "That's why China for the longest time needed Microsoft, but didn't want to be too reliant on Microsoft since there are trap doors that hackers and the U.S. government can enter."
"By allowing a Chinese company to come in, they have more control over the encryption."
The Linux threat
Microsoft's security alliance with CS&S arrives as Linux steadily gains popularity in China.
Linux is an open source operating system developed by a community of programmers who openly share the source code in an effort to continually improve the language and is a free alternative to Microsoft's Windows.
"If China had its own way it would be Linux," said Yu.
Analysts say Linux is an operating system that, unlike Windows or other commercial platforms, can be modified by China for its own needs and even eventually exported back to the U.S. and other markets.
Chinese Linux programmers have been accused by the U.S.-based Linux firm Red Hat of not sharing their modified source code.
Red Hat is said to be struggling in the China market. It charges Linux coders for Linux documentation and technical support, and faces aggressive domestic players like Red Flag.
Red Flag has a key advantage over multinational software firms like Red Hat and Microsoft -- the blessing of the Chinese government. It has close ties to Beijing University's software affiliate Founder and the Software Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"When you're backed by the government, it's much easier to get into Linux training and technical support for larger customers," said Alex Banh, deputy chief executive of Sun Wah Linux, a shareholder and distributor of Red Flag products.
Software sales in China are expected to grow by 31.7 percent year on year in 2001 to reach $3.66 billion, according to the Chinese government think tank China Center of Information Industry (CCID).
According to CCID, a large portion of sales will go to foreign software firms. It could take another five to 10 years before Chinese software companies generate significant domestic demand.
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