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Japan Takes A Look At Open Source Software
irish_spic writes " Accorting to this AP story (in yahoo news), the public management ministry is setting up a panel of scholars and computer experts, including Microsoft officials in order to study the use of Open Source software in the government. The article cites concerns about costs and security as the reason for the study. Me wonders if they are serious or just trying to get discounts from MS."
RMS, me love you long time!
Japan finds linux zealots, looks at slashdot. Japan gets scared.
Japan calls Microsoft instead.
The end.
The panel on Open Source is to include Microsoft representatives.
Simply its an oxymoron.
Now, if the article was about *China* or North Korea that would have made sense.
But Japan the most closed society? I mean, come on! Isn't the national mascot an Italian Plumber?
52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
Shhh!
I get all my karma by reposting all the (Score:5) comments on repeat stories.
.sig last updated Jan. 14, 2000
Put that on the box, they'll buy anything.
[...] the public management ministry is setting up a panel of scholars and computer experts, including Microsoft officials..."
In other news, the farmer has invited a group of forest critters, including some foxes, to guard his hen-house.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Please repost
Engineering is the art of compromise.
This same person?
Does anyone remember the Peter Sellers flick "The Mouse That Roared"?
I think a few nations have been watching that recently.
Somebody set us up the penguin.
Bring on the Japanese GIRLS!!!
Of course Japan like OSS software. With names like "Mozilla" who can blame them?
Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
It really doesn't matter who they get for an OSS rep. The fact of the matter is any reasonably OSS experienced IT professional can make a strong argument for OSS. It takes a marketing pro to make a good argument for MS.
And there goes that lack of bias I was trying to have on this subject.
I wish there was some there was some way that I could be outside playing basketball, in the rain, and not get wet.
shhh!
I get my karma by posting recursive paradoxing posts about repostings.
Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!
Committee Meeting, Day 1 6:00pm
OS: If you look to page 3, you'll now see the pie chart showing server breakin percentages. It shows you that running an OS server will mean you have only 10% of the risk of being broken into versus running a MS server product.
MS: You know, it's getting kinda late. It's a tough question which one is better, why don't we discuss it further over dinner and drinks
Committee Meeting, Day 2 9:00am
OS: On page 5 we show a breakdown of virus propagation by operating system. Note how almost all viruses known to man are propagated by MS products.
MS: Excuse me, after that hard night of booze and broads, I thought everyone might be hungry so I arranged to have some breakfast catered to our session. Why don't we pick up again after we eat?
Committee Meeting, Day 3 9:00am
OS: Now on page 9 we can compare the cost savings of using free and open source products over proprietary ones.
MS: Can I interrupt just a second, I've got an announcement to make. It's come to our attention that Japan is routinely devastated by attacks from Godzilla. Because he's a concerned philanthropist, Bill Gates has decided to donate $100million dollars to Japan towards rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of these tragedies.
Committee Meeting, Day 4 9:00am
OS: On pages 18-26, you'll find a list of technical features that were created by open source products. On pages 27-39 you'll see how Microsoft included those features into their own products and then claimed how innovative their products are.
MS: Japan, I see that times are kind of tough right now so I've gone out on a limb and asked Bill if we can get you a deal on our software. We're going to be able to sell you Windows at $100 a license, that's below our cost to make it, but you can have it if you sign a 5 year maintenance agreement. I'd hate for you to miss out on this offer, because otherwise you'll have to pay the higher prices later. By the way, what's the address of your political committee? I want to make sure to contribute to your reelection campaign.
MS: We're happy to report that the Japanese government found our products to be more innovative, secure and cheaper than open source software. This head to head competition was brutal, but we think the better software won out in the end.
Yeah, I'm happy someone's doing it right too.
My only hope is that the committee will be savvy enough to know when M$ (or is it M¥?) is being disingenuous.
Of course here in the US we can easily discern whether this is the case: Just check to see if their lips are moving.
-- thinkyhead software and media
We'll get Linus to Send the Beowulf Pengiun to wipe out Tokyo.
public management ministry(PMM):
"We think open source."
Microsoft officials(M$):
"We offer you x% discount"
PMM:
"We still think open source"
M$:
"Bill will travel to Japan, and is willing to have his photo taken with a 2m condom"
PMM:
"We are still open source"
M$:
"We will deliver to you the body of Elvis"
PMM:
"Microsoft, you make offer we Japanesse can not refuse"