Linux Big Among Chinese Developers

krygny writes: "InfoWorld has an article about a survey of Chinese developers to be released today by Evans Data. Although Windows is dominant in China (as everywhere), the survey portends a shift toward Linux. Maybe they figure, if they can't pirate the stuff, it's not worth paying for. Contemplate on the heels of this /. article."

Comments

economics of linux

[DopeThrone]

the chinese seem to be more on the up and up about what they spend their money on, unless its some cheap pokemon thing, so naturally open source would be the better idea, us americans just blow our money on the latest and greatest revised windows that usually sucks anyways

But They Can, In Effect, Pirate GPL-ed Software

[Bravo_Two_Zero]

While I'd be inclined to agree that Microsoft products are not necessary worth the cost ("if they can't pirate the software...), what makes anyone think for a moment that the same people would adhere to the GPL?

The Chinese marketplace is rife with copyright infringements, ranging from the innocuous to the obscene. I'd think that statement applies to many, many marketplaces, to be fair. But is it really advantageous for GPL-ed software to be treated the same way?

I'm not contending that Chinese coders will not comply with the GPL. After all, in comparison to Microsoft, it's virtually free to comply with the GPL. But, it doesn't benefit GPL-ish licenses if the code is modified or improved but not re-released.

I am suggesting that, someone who would, on a widescale basis, subvert commercial software licensing won't necessarily treat GPL software in the proper manner just because there is no monetary license cost associated.

It's great for China to go open-source, but it just doesn't seem likely for a closed-door society (which is, admittedly and thankfully, changing bit by bit) to contribute happily to the open source ideal.

Heck, the GPL is in many ways an ideal of a free market economy. Good projects flourish. Not as good projects don't. If a market is a conversation, GPL-ed software is a prime example. It's better than the BSD-style licenses because participants have to continue the conversation. It's not a matter of law, but of polite agreement.

I guess I just don't think it's much cause for celebration when a non-free market entity weighs in on a free market discussion. I could be wrong, and I certainly hope I am. I hope legions of Chinese coders contribute heavily to quality, internationalized software.

verifying a rumor

[Saeger]

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