Intel Warns Asia Over Linux Plan

rimbaldi writes "Intel's CEO, Craig Barrett recently warned the Chinese government that their attempt to create regional standards for computers and communications, including standards using Linux-based software, may be doomed to failure, since 'such a strategy might protect local companies and markets in the short term, [but] it would make it more difficult for Asian companies to participate in world markets.' This is in reaction to earlier Slashdot-covered stories about an Asian software consortium and China disallowing foreign software."

Comments

Article: -1 troll

[jbellis]

He's talking about chinese plans to try to grow their own (non x86) chip market through protectionist policies, not about "don't try linux it will never work!!!111"

The high costs of such a two-pronged approach would make it difficult to compete. "You have to ask yourself this: is there an advantage to having a proprietary standard in your country?" he added. To adopt unique regional technologies would mean "not participating in the rest of the world because you have a proprietary standard, and not being able to inter-operate with the rest of the world. I fail to see the benefit".

Even if you didn't read the rest of the article, it's clear he's talking about "proprietary standards," which linux clearly is not.

Furthermore,

In spite of warning about some methods used to promote homegrown technology champions in Asia, the Intel boss applauded efforts to stimulate a local software industry. He said this would be an important step in the region's fight against software pirates.

Does this have anything do with Linux?

[Otter]

As many times as the FT article mentions Linux, it's not clear that Barrett's concern had anything to do with it. Conspiracy theories aside, what would he care? It's the possibility of an Asian standard based around some non-x86 CPU that has him worried.

Anyway, that's my two cents. You can go back to running around in circles while waving your arms and shrieking about Microsoft now...;-)

Hardware versus Software

[richard_willey]

It's interesting to notice the difference in focus between Craig Barrett's statements and the Slashdot's focus.

Barrett is an executive at Intel. His primary concern is whether the Chinese or the Indians will succeed with localizing microprocessor design. Needless to say, he is predisposed to believe that these efforts should not be undertaken.

Here on Slashdot, the primary focus is the various attempts taking place in Asia to standardize around Linux. From my own perspective, I don't think that this effort is logically equivalent to the Barrett's hardware example. I don't see the effort at promoting Linux as an attempt to fork the code base, but rather an effort to unify the development community around a single standard. With luck, this effort will result in better contributions to the core Linux code base.

Re:Huh

[Stargoat]

Jack Comics, You are a liar. It was Nixon, a Republican, who began trading with China. Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush have all renewed China's Most Favored Nations status.

Who's got less of a clue? Submitter or FT?

[glrotate]

From the FT artice:

Mr Barrett's comments come two weeks after officials from China, Japan and South Korea agreed to co-operate on the development of software applications based on the free Linux computer operating system

Barrett's point wasn't about Linux. The FT just threw that angle in to get the suckers riled up, and it worked.

The FT could have said that Barrett warned against "proprietary" standards based on binary arithmatic. Note it's not the technical details of the implementation he's concerned about, its their proprietary nature.

Andy Grove delivered a very simmilar speech to European bigwigs about a decade ago and he was right.

That warning makes no sense.

[Jammet]

Many solutions compete over how perfectly they blend into foreign environments, save and load most common commercial file formats.

The masses that use Linux aren't locked out of MS file formats anymore since years, and Microsoft file format users aren't tied to their lock-in files as much anymore either.

The open sourced alternative ways of loading and saving foreign format files bypass problems of the past with elegancy that is unmatched in the commercial world (where is dead project won't rise from the ashes without money involved).

The "scratch your own itch" way works out neatly. Whoever feels the desire to do so canl pick whatever _they_ think is best for them. Craig's warning is unnecessary and feels a little out of place.