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Japan To Do Payroll On Linux

Posted by timothy on from the upstart-operating-system dept.

strannik writes "Yahoo/Reuters is reporting that the The Japanese Government will use Linux for it's payroll system. Fujitsu LTD, IBM Japan LTD and OKI Electronic Industry Co. will develop the system by March of 2004. The new system is expected to halve operating costs (to about 350 Billion Yen a year)."

9 of 343 comments (clear)

  1. In keeping with new Linux system... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Japanese civil servants will be expected to work for free.

  2. What does this mean? by locarecords.com · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I think clearly there is some serious thinking going on in Government circles about Open Source and technology projects. Has anybody looked at the EU guidelines? They've even set up a special body to promote open and interoperable stuff across the EU... More stuff

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    ---- The Open Source Record Label : : LOCARECORDS.COM
  3. Re:Darl's trip by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Funny
    Honorable Darl McBride, Emperor of Evil Empire SCO,
    We regret to inform you that your crass and stupid public remarks regarding the honored and revered Rinux operating system have deeply offended our nation and further disgraced yourself. Here is your tanto. Your retainer Chris Sontag will be standing by with katana to further help you complete your ritual suicide.

    Sincerery,
    Japan

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    IAALS.
  4. Watch out japan! by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it possible for SCO to sue a country?

  5. Truly a blow to Microsoft and a great Linux coup? by Knife_Edge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From the article it seems like the Japanese government was running their payroll software on a big proprietary unix system anyway, and was looking to upgrade the underlying system. It is not surprising that they picked Linux to do this - they say one of the reasons for the selection is because the hardware it runs on is cheaper. Maybe they ditched some Sun hardware? Some other vendor?

    I'm sure Microsoft wanted them to use their software, but Linux is more likely to win when the competition is another *nix. Microsoft probably couldn't meet the requirements of 'runs old payroll software' or something, no matter how low they could price their software to compete.

    This is a win for Linux, but not that big of a win, considering the details of the situation. This hardly indicates an expanding mindshare for the platform, just ability to cannibalize another *nix with its freeness.

  6. Re:Operating Costs != Cost of Ownership? by mjmalone · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It doesn't say in the article that they have been running windows in the past. Just that Microsoft wanted them to use it. Maybe they are already running some *nix variation and already have a knowledgable staff, mass layoffs and new hires would probably cost as much the added expense of nix admins... at least for the short term.

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    Visualize the world of wine
  7. Someone had to do it by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Funny
    The lights come up deep within SCO's main control room...

    SCO worker:Captain! We get signal!

    Chris Sontag:Main screen turn on!

    Japanese dignitary appears, holding Darl McBride captive

    Sontag:It's you!

    Dignitary:Good evening, gentleman... all your CEOs are belong to us...

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    IAALS.
  8. The *REAL* reason Japan chose open source... by TheConfusedOne · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're hoping that this Mozilla creature can do something about their bi-annual Godzilla invasions.

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  9. Re:Excahnge rate/Weak Yen by Drathos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah.. But wouldn't you rather carry around 4,190,703,826,736,921.50 Turkish Lira? :D

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