Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Linux Gaining Ground In India

Posted by simoniker on from the more-bang-for-your-buck dept.

GillBates0 writes "Yahoo/Reuters is reporting that Linux seems to be gaining over Microsoft in India. According to Red Hat, about 10 percent of India's personal computers will be sold with Linux rather than Microsoft operating systems by March, 2004, up from nothing in January. Linux already drives India's National Stock Exchange, and the Government of India has been promoting open source lately."

8 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. Bye Bye, domestic workforce by TrippTDF · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is interesting, especially with all the IT outsourcing to India that we have seen lately. Could mean for yet cheaper outsourcing costs here in the US- if people start using Red Hat at home, maybe they will want to use it at work.

    1. Re:Bye Bye, domestic workforce by IFF123 · · Score: 5, Insightful
      It's the current craze of cutting costs (whether they are human-based or not) that's the driving force behind all of the latest market strategies.

      That people are switching to Linux doesn't make them automatically good. The software will become cheaper and cheaper, and so will we.
      (IAAP)

      --
      Who took my tinfoil hat?
    2. Re:Bye Bye, domestic workforce by devphaeton · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As much as i do have issues with outsourcing labour to other countries (at the cost of jobs in the U.S.)...

      We've got to remember that OpenSource Operating Systems (and other software) such as GNU/Linux, the *BSDs, and whathaveyou....

      Are in the public domain. By the entire world, for the entire world.

      We can't get mad at other countries if they and thier governments embrace it. We can only get mad at the U.S. gov't and those who refuse to even take a look.

      --


      do() || do_not(); // try();
  2. New developers! by te+amo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    With so many Indians in the software industry already, maybe we will start seeing some more great open source software come from India.

  3. Re:From the article: by thebatlab · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Actually it was just a comment from Microsoft and not Reuters so I don't think Reuters should be chastized for this. A quote is a quote, whether it's truthful or not. This wasn't even a direct quote either, just noting what Microsoft has previously said. I don't think it's a bad thing that Reuters included it.

  4. Piracy? by tunabomber · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "According to Red Hat, about 10 percent of India's personal computers will be sold with Linux rather than Microsoft operating systems by March, 2004"

    And what percentage of the buyers of these computers will be just buying them to only to escape the Microsoft tax and then install a Windows bootleg?

    I swear, piracy has to be the biggest threat to Linux in the developing world. Ironically, It's better for Microsoft if you steal their software than it is for you to install Linux.

    --

    pi = 3.141592653589793helpimtrappedinauniversefactory71 ...
  5. Re:Sorry by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Sorry, but I am not going to suddenly have a love-fest with all those bastards who STOLE MY JOB just because they are running linux. Petty? Yes... Immature? yes... I'm Bitter?.. YEP!... But -- fuck 'em, the bastards.

    +0, Meh. Welcome to the flip side of the globalization that brings you cheap and plentiful consumer goods.

    In any case, I think you're confusing the concept of " bastard Indians stole my job" with "motherfscking greedy employers decided to screw working Americans in order to add a few pennies to the bottom line". Why attack the pawns when the king is in plain view?

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  6. Re:Uh-uh by iworm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Here we have the typical, well-meaning but actually very ignorant, stereotype of Indians living in abject poverty, with no food...

    Get informed: India is a huge country with a vast population. They cover the spectrum: sure, there are PLENTY of very poor Indians, but there are also loads of well-educated, well-paid, (by local standards) dare-one-say "happy" Indians.

    Please don't make generalisations, particularly when they are wrong...!