Slashdot Mirror


IBM Opens A Linux Training Center In Russia

prostoalex writes "IBM and Russian Ministry of Communications announced the opening of the first Linux Competency Center in Moscow. Representative of the goverment was quoted saying that such a center will help 'create a Linux ecosystem enabling Russian hi-tech companies to expand into global markets faster. IT solutions based on Linux and open standards will open up great opportunities to businesses in Russia.' This news piece in Russian also quotes Russian government official planning to expand the Linux initiative into provincial cities as well, if the center in Moscow turns out to be a viable idea."

178 comments

  1. IBM opens a gaping arsehole by (TK)Max · · Score: -1

    ______
    .-" "-.
    / \
    | | < FROM THIS DISEASED MOUTH
    |, .-. .-. ,| SPREADS THE WORD OF TROLLKORE.
    | )(__/ \__)( | AWRY BE THE WORDS AND OPINIONS
    |/ /\ \| OF THOSE WHO POST HERE. TAKE
    (_ ^^ _) NO HEED OF THEM.>
    \__|IIIIII|__/
    |-\IIIIII/-|
    \ /
    `--------`
    .::::TROLL-KORE FOREVER!!!
    .::::I hate you, I hate your country, and I hate your face.

  2. FP 4 EVA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    FP for real trolls everywhere!!

    Sir Haxalot is a KARMA WHORE MOD HIM DOWN!

  3. IN SCOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    IBM Training Center opens YOU!

    1. Re:IN SCOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      What's wrong with it?
      Mod this up, please, it made me LMFAO!

    2. Re:IN SCOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Now here's a fella who is easily amused.

  4. Repeat after me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ya lyublyu Microsoft Windows.

    1. Re:Repeat after me by after · · Score: 0

      Ya lyublyu Kasta!

    2. Re:Repeat after me by m_niessner · · Score: 1

      Why would you love Microsoft Windows?

  5. Russia by Psychotic_Wrath · · Score: -1, Troll

    In Soviet Russia... oh wait we are in Russia

    --

    Doctors do Massage in Longview WA now, who knew?
  6. In RUSSIA? by wrinkledshirt · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Oh lord, we all know where this thread is going to go...

    --

    --------
    Bleah! Heh heh heh... BLEAH BLEAH!!! Ha ha ha ha...

    1. Re:In RUSSIA? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      In Soviet Russia, all your linux solutions belong to IBM?

    2. Re:In RUSSIA? by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      No. Where do you want to go today?
      Oops, sorry, wrong OS.

      --
      You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
    3. Re:In RUSSIA? by hobbesmaster · · Score: -1, Troll

      Perhaps it should be: In Russian Federation, Microsoft is communist!

    4. Re:In RUSSIA? by mobby_6kl · · Score: -1, Troll

      Mod parent Insightful, he really knows what's going on!

    5. Re:In RUSSIA? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      You modded this 1 ?? Have you no sense of humour? Bump it up a bit and mark it "funny"...

  7. In Post-Soviet Russia... by shadowcabbit · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ...no, no, I won't. Millions after me will, though.

    I see this as a good thing. Open source will definitely help give some countries a good advantage into getting on a competitive tech level with the rest of the world. Of course, if enough non-America nations wind up embracing Linux as their sort of official operating system, we could have a situation like the English units/metric units thing... but maybe I'm looking too far ahead. Or maybe I'm just being stupid.

    --
    "Why Subscribe?" Good question...
    1. Re:In Post-Soviet Russia... by 00420 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Of course, if enough non-America nations wind up embracing Linux as their sort of official operating system, we could have a situation like the English units/metric units thing...

      I disagree with you on this point. I think the problem is that many Americans have never heard of Linux. If more people new that they could get a free operating system, more people would use it. All that most people want with a computer is internet, email, and an office suite. These things are no harder to use in Linux than Windows, and if more people new they could use them for free, then more people would use Linux.

    2. Re:In Post-Soviet Russia... by javax · · Score: 1

      Interesting comparison with the units/metric system; the metric system is more thought through, but many people stay with units as they are used to it... Much like Linux and Windows - many people stay with Windows as they are used to it and haven't yet recognized the superiority of Linux beeing open source.

    3. Re:In Post-Soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe it's cultural. From my limited experience with the US, it seems that everyone expects to pay for everything, and in return charges excessively for everythng they do. Linux doesn't work like that, and as such, doesn't gain widespread acceptance in the US.

  8. Next headline... by Chicane-UK · · Score: 1

    Ballmer just got the Microsoft private jet out, and is on his way to sell the Russians Windows XP and Office at a GREATLY reduced price ;)

    --
    "Hey! Unless this is a nude love-in, get the hell off my property!!"
    1. Re:Next headline... by egork · · Score: 2, Informative

      In Russia all MS products de facto cost $3 for 650MB for companies smaller than 50 employees. People just buy them on the flea-markets.

      So I do not see Ballmer in Moscow any time soon with such mission. :-) It could work for Munich, Germany, but not for Moscow, Russia.

  9. ughhhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    In Soviet Russia, IBM trains you.

  10. In Scoviet Ru$$ia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    $699 Lunix License Fee pays you!

    1. Re:In Scoviet Ru$$ia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn thats a lot of rubles isn't it...

      Well, pay up you commies, or else switch to XP

  11. In Soviet Russia by dicepackage · · Score: 2, Funny

    IBM trains you

    1. Re:In Soviet Russia by Micah · · Score: -1, Troll

      > IBM trains you

      Lots of people have said that already, but it seems like it should be ...

      In SOVIET RUSSIA, *YOU* train IBM!

    2. Re:In Soviet Russia by mobby_6kl · · Score: -1, Troll

      >IBM trains you
      >> In Soviet Russia I for one welcome our insensitive clod overlords

      In Soviet Russia I for one welcome our russian-speaking, big, blue, opensource, insensitive clod overlords

    3. Re:In Soviet Russia by JamesP · · Score: -1, Troll

      Linux trains YOU!!!

      --
      how long until /. fixes commenting on Chrome?
    4. Re:In Soviet Russia by lord_nightrose · · Score: -1, Troll

      #1: ughhhh (Score:-1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 11, @06:48PM (#7191752) In Soviet Russia, IBM trains you. #2: In Soviet Russia (Score:4, Funny) by dicepackage (526497) on Saturday October 11, @06:48PM (#7191756) (http://slashdot.org/) IBM trains you Apparently, in Soviet Russia, the karma system actually works.

      --
      This is not part of my post. It's my signature. I bet you're disappointed.
  12. Giant sucking sound by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    enabling Russian hi-tech companies to expand into global markets faster.

    Thus causing U.S. companies to export even more IT jobs from the U.S.

    1. Re:Giant sucking sound by sujan · · Score: 0

      I like the sound of that!

  13. To be the first Russian to comment on it. by egork · · Score: 3, Interesting

    These are great news.

    Just a year or so Russian Ministry of Education approved a deal to Microsoft, not to local educational system developers. It was a normal case with a rumors of bribery wich usually turns out to be true.

    Today we see that technological superiourity and the development model of Linux opens the doors even in Russian political system.

    I am happy for Russia, and you know, we have a lot of smart people who will contribute back to Linux soon.

    1. Re:To be the first Russian to comment on it. by mAriuZ · · Score: 1

      "Just a year or so Russian Ministry of Education approved a deal to Microsoft, not to local educational system developers. It was a normal case with a rumors of bribery wich usually turns out to be true."
      thanks man for the info , it seems that there are other ex commnunist contries that are under ms umbrella now (romania, bulgaria ..etc)
      The sad thing that rich european contries participate in the ms program (Italy , Switzerland)
      Maybe the bribe is good in thouse contries too ...
      who knows ...

      --
      developer http://flamerobin.org
  14. Cheap labor! by Billly+Gates · · Score: 0, Redundant

    ... Subject says all.

  15. A news piece in Russian? by CoolQ · · Score: 0

    English is great. European languages... okay. But how many friggen users can read Russian? You expect us to believe that Soviet Russia actually reads the trolls?

    Geez.

    1. Re:A news piece in Russian? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      English is great. European languages... okay. But how many friggen users can read Russian?

      English and russian are european languages, what are you talking about?

    2. Re:A news piece in Russian? by Maxhrk · · Score: 0

      I dont know if Russians know esperanto. You see I heard about it somewhere on internet. Staluton! I hope you all russians have a good day. :)

    3. Re:A news piece in Russian? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Russia isn't European.

    4. Re:A news piece in Russian? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure it is. I suppose you haven't looked at a map lately?

    5. Re:A news piece in Russian? by frycarson · · Score: 1

      Now it seems even better that I'm taking Russian classes. Sure, it's confusing and odd at first, but at least its not spanish. And Russian is neat.... VODKA!!! FrYcaRson. Sometimes I forget that i don't make sense

    6. Re:A news piece in Russian? by dadeSF · · Score: 1

      Right, only in US people have computers connected to the net, and only Americans can read english. Geezzz man, open your mind. Wanna blue pill or red one??

  16. The Ittalian Stallion by TheDarkener · · Score: 1

    Imagine Selvestre Stallone promoting this new center for IBM:

    Rocky: Yo, Adrian! Check this out! ADRIAAAAAN!
    Adrian: I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE, ROCKY! Windows has hidden it's network configuration from me and put it in another place where I can't find it! IT'S JUST TOO MUCH!
    Rocky: Yo Adrian, I was just doing some pull-ups on this tree branch out in the middle of nowhere, with two-foot logs tied to my shins, and I saw IBM opening a Linux Competency Center over there! Yo!
    Suddenly, Mr. T appears out of nowhere
    Mr. T: I PITTY THA FOOL DAT RUNS MICROSOFT IN RUSSIA!

    Oh wow... It really is Saturday. I'm spending way too much time trying to be funny.

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
    1. Re:The Ittalian Stallion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      ...and failing miserably. God, go watch some football or get drunk or kill yourself...something productive for christ's sake...

  17. YOU FAIL IT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
  18. Why do people always make fun of Russia? by Adolph_Hitler · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Did any of you people think there might actually be Russians who come to this place? You bunch of racists! Tone it down with the jokes.

    --
    People don't exist to serve systems, systems exist to serve people.
  19. what are they using now? by Drakon · · Score: 1

    somehow I don't see the USSR running anything out of Digital or AT&T... They probably developed their own operating systems and hardware... does anyone know what this was or weather it was developed after the fall of the Soviets?

    1. Re:what are they using now? by Reservoir+Penguin · · Score: 1

      No new hardware has been developed since 1991, before that we we mostly using soviet built clones of various pdp systems.

      --
      US-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
  20. YHBT YHL HAND by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
  21. Time to learn Russian. by egork · · Score: 1

    150+ mln. people in the world understand Russian, guess how many among them read and post to slashdot?

    Uchitesj ponimat i lubit russkii yazyk, yazuk velikih uchenyh i khudozhnikov!

    1. Re:Time to learn Russian. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nimanoga? Ya ni znayu!

    2. Re:Time to learn Russian. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ni hao. wo shou ha yui bu hen hao.

    3. Re:Time to learn Russian. by after · · Score: 0

      Ya ne ponel ne odnovo slova :) American people dont understnad the Russian way of life, its just a whole different world with its pros and cons (mostly pros :))

    4. Re:Time to learn Russian. by bj8rn · · Score: 1

      Ya uzhe kak-to ponimayu, a slishkom ploho. Nado bol'she chitatj i Nautilusa poslushatj ili chto-to...

      --
      Hell is not other people; it is yourself. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
    5. Re:Time to learn Russian. by Joe+Tie. · · Score: 1

      I know one offline. You can tell she speaks russian, because In SOVIET RUSSIA, girl makes slashdot related jokes to YOU!

      --
      Everything will be taken away from you.
    6. Re:Time to learn Russian. by egork · · Score: 1

      Naprimer "Othod na sever" :-)

      Better buy Boris Grebenschikov Aquarium CD "Chaos, the Sister". It's title song "500" really tells it all. This is not a typical album for BG, athough the coolest one I have heard yet (IMHO).

    7. Re:Time to learn Russian. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Konchaj bazar, po palatam.

  22. early post for trollkore by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    ______ .-" "-.
    / \
    | | FROM THIS DISEASED MOUTH
    |, .-. .-. ,| SPREADS THE WORD OF TROLLKORE.
    | )(__/ \__)( | AWRY BE THE WORDS AND OPINIONS

    |/ /\ \| OF THOSE WHO POST HERE. TAKE
    (_ ^^ _) NO HEED OF THEM.
    \__|IIIIII|__/
    |-\IIIIII/-|
    \ /
    `--------` .::::TROLL-KORE FOREVER!!! .::::I hate you, I hate your country, and I hate your face.

  23. RUSSIA CAN SUX0RZ MY NUTZ0RZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    then they'll never get to you

    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    then we'll see who buries who

    strike while the iron is hot
    strike they won't get off a shot
    strike so our bombs from space
    protect the all american race
    strike end this menace red
    strike they'd be better off dead
    strike when their last blood is shed
    then we won't worry who's ahead

    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    we don't have to take their shit

    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    we'll be better of for it

    strike while they're all asleep
    strike kill the common creeps
    strike they messed with the best
    now they die like the rest
    strike give 'em one more for me
    strike put it on t.v.
    strike cause the "duke" would do it
    he would make the russkies chew it

    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians
    bomb the russians

    1. Re:RUSSIA CAN SUX0RZ MY NUTZ0RZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Don't give Bush any more ideas.

    2. Re:RUSSIA CAN SUX0RZ MY NUTZ0RZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      >>Don't give Bush any more ideas.

      Or former General Clark....

  24. In Republican America... by realmolo · · Score: 1

    Linux training centers open IBM!

    1. Re:In Republican America... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think the correct phrase-ology is:

      In PATRIOT AMERICA y {verb} x

    2. Re:In Republican America... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You were close, the correct phrase-ology is:

      In fucking redneck shithead fox news watching NASCAR loving traitors to their constitution morons who think THE RICH FOLKS ARE REALLY ON THEIR SIDE republican America. Dipshit.

  25. Russia and IBM by surfcow · · Score: 3, Funny

    One is a huge, slow-moving, ultra-conservative, monolithic bureauocracy which has recently been forced by circumstance to open up to unconveltional methods ...

    and the other is Russia.

    =brian

    1. Re:Russia and IBM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If by "recently" you mean 20 years ago, you're right. In the last 10 years, though, IBM has been the place to work in software.

  26. YOU ARE SO TEH FUCKUP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    yo, dawg. you fucked that one up badly. you must be a GNAA trainee.

    1. Re:YOU ARE SO TEH FUCKUP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      no i swaer that i work for trollkore they hireed me to make new kewl artwerk for them., Ja?

  27. PhysTech DOS by egork · · Score: 1

    There is still a supported working PT-DOS, developed in my University for govermental and military use (even for sattelite systems).

  28. Resell? HAH! Try FREECELL! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Resell? Hah! Try FREECELL! (Score:0, Offtopic)
    by Anonymous Coward on 20:54 Wednesday 03 September 2003 (#6862028)

    Dear Dr. Goatse,
    I am writing to you because I am in need of legal assistance. I am
    currently charged with murder, burglary, terrorism, and a wide variety of
    charges. The story behind these accusations is somewhat longwinded, but I
    will attempt to describe it below:

    It all started when I was a child. I was the victim of sexual abuse
    by a deranged, obese, elderly babysitter. This man would babysit for me when
    my parents went on long vacations. As soon as they left, my normally cozy
    home turned into a sordid den of gay rape and bestiality. The old man, who
    by coincidence shared the name Ike with another famous gay man from a
    different troll, would act normally for a few hours after my parents
    departed. Soon, however, he would ask me to come sit on the sofa with him
    and watch television. While we watched the good old sitcoms on television,
    he would slowly move his wrinkled old hand onto my leg. I was too small and
    too scared to object, and he wouldn't have cared anyway, so I ignored him
    and continued to watch the TV. He massage my legs, moving in higher and
    higher circles with his warm, delicate touch. Eventually he would come to my
    buttocks, where he would slide his weathered hands into my shorts and
    continue his massage. At this point it would become very difficult for me to
    watch my shows, as he would squeeze my tender young asscheeks while
    breathing heavily (I think the sexual excitment presented some problems for
    him and his pacemaker). At some point, he would flick off the TV and pull my
    pants off, then my shirt. His semi-bald head glistened in the afternoon sun,
    and his white hair was matted to his head with his sweat. He would turn me
    over, and continue his massage. I didn't look back at him as we would get
    angry if I did anything other than staring ahead and pretending that nothing
    was happening.

    Zzzzzzzzip! His zipper, with its sound easily susceptible to
    onomatopoeia, flew open. A few seconds later, his shining manhood flew
    outwards. My young asshole would clench in nervous anticipation of his anal
    invasion with his nine hard, throbbing, inches of man-meat. I could hear his
    weazing breath as he coughed some saliva onto his penis, rubbing it to make
    up for its geriatric lack of virility. While he aroused himself for his
    rectal piracy, he slid a finger into my clenched anus. Initially, the pain
    seemed unbearable; however, as time went on, I gradually relaxed and even
    came to shove my small boyish behind back onto his intruding finger, aching
    for prostate stimulation. Soon it was time: he withdrew his finger, and
    prepped his hard manhood for its intestinal odyssey into my backdoor. My bay
    breath quickened, and thoughts of his cragged, veined old manhood filled my
    mind like a Kreskin's semen in BSD's dying bowels. I felt a warm touch
    against my cheeks, and soon the head of his mantruder was nestled inside of
    my gripping sphincter. I gasped as his throbbing virility inched into my
    rear passages. Slowly but surely all of his nine inches invaded my bum, and
    I was left impaled on him. As I mentioned, he was quite obese, so his
    flabby, pasty stomach with its green varicrose veins were pressed against my
    young back. At this point my eyes bugged out of my head as his cock buggered
    into my asshole. Soon the pumping began: there was some pain, and while it
    did multiply as time went on, the pleasure grew too, but at an exponential
    rate. Taking into account other factors, the overall satisfaction could be
    measured by the equation S(x) = GAMMA(x) - 20x, where GAMMA is the standard
    gamma function. As you can see, it would be only a short time (about 6
    seconds) before I was in throes of esctacy. Alas; all good things must come
    to an end, and soon Ike was ready to shoot his seed deep into my poop chute.
    As his semen shot forth

  29. Say Nyet to .NET!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Excellent news. Way to go IBM!

  30. obligatory . . . . . by kraksmoka · · Score: -1, Troll
    in soviet russia, training center opens you . . . . . .

    hehe

    --
    "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." - Rahm Emanuel
  31. Linus Torvalds: Absurd Liberal Myth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Linux is a very flexible operating system which has been created almost purely
    by the help of generous volunteers and other people associated with it. It has
    slowly grown from being a mere branch of Minix to a massive contender in the
    kernel world, having an entire operating system associated with it and its
    name. It is perhaps one of the most important pieces of software available
    today, one of the most widely used, and yet there is a gaping hole in its
    history, a hole currently filled by geek fantasy. Apparently, we are supposed
    to believe that a lone graduate from a Central European country created the
    foundation for this kernel and continues working with it to this very day.

    It amazes me that so many reputable people and organisations have fallen for
    the ridiculous myth that there is some sort of Finnish student who has
    single-handedly created something that threatens to overthrow the current
    software distribution system as we know it. I find it particularly absurd that
    he is lauded as some sort of super overlord throughout hackerdom. Even
    generally reliable sources have fallen for this ridiculous scam. The concept
    that one youth from a continent containing France could sow the seed for an
    operating system which frightens Microsoft is risible at best. It has taken
    Microsoft a decade to produce an OS which is even reasonably reliable and
    stands alone. So what makes you think that in the short time span from 1991 to
    the present day that a fictional character could produce an operating system
    which is more stable than Windows? Microsoft themselves has had thousands of
    people developing Windows for over a decade and has only recently been able to
    achieve what Linux has. How could one youth do the same in even less time?

    Obviously, this "Linus Torvalds" must be some sort of superhuman to have done
    such a thing. But we all know that there is no such thing as a superhuman.
    Even Nietzsche acknowledged that we still had some way to go before attaining
    the status of the "Ubermensch". Whatever makes you think that an otherwise
    anonymous Finnish student would have achieved this status without anyone
    noticing? As such it must be plain for all to see that this "Linus Torvalds" is
    some sort of fabrication. It is the only way to explain why Linus keeps such
    a low profile, and that the main bit of evidence to even suggest his existence
    is the testimony of his mother and the strange posts "he" makes on obscure
    kernel hacking message boards. The fact that an entire community of "warez
    d00ds" and rabid Linux advocates has sprung up, proclaiming that "LUNIX
    RULEZZZ" is such a flimsy piece of circumstantial evidence that it must be
    discounted. But if "Linus Torvalds" does not actually exist, then who has
    conjured up his existence? There is only one possible person who could get
    away with such a fraud. Mikke Torvalds, "his" supposed birth parent.

    Mrs. Torvalds may have a lot to say about her son, but this does not excuse
    the fact that he does not exist. When you consider this, is it genuinely
    surprising that she found him "easy to raise"? Of course, there is one
    immediate objection which will no doubt be raised. "If Linus Torvalds doesn't
    really exist," I hear you ask, "then who wrote Linux?" That is a good
    question, but it is very obvious to see who. If you take a look around here
    for a while, you will hear names like Alan Cox, Richard Stallman, and Eric
    Raymond being bandied about. Obviously, it is immensely skilled coders and
    hackers such as these people who have made the wonderful OS Linux what it is
    today. The person who first made that post on comp.os.minix was in fact
    Linus' mother, who, frustrated by the ludicrous restrictions imposed upon her
    by Minix, due to its tiny size as a teaching OS, posted a message under a
    partial pseudonym, asking for help building a new, free UNIX-like operating
    system. All she wanted was someone to help her use her PC to print out her

  32. FUCK YOU TIMOTHY, YOU FUCKING COCKSMOKING FAGGOT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    8 8
    d88b 8 8 .d8b 8.dP 8d8b.d8b. Yb dP .d8b .d8b. .d8b 8.dP
    `Yb. 8b d8 8 88b 8P Y8P Y8 YbdP 8 8' .8 8 88b
    Y88P `Y8P8 `Y8P 8 Yb 8 8 8 dP `Y8P `Y8P' `Y8P 8 Yb
    dP

    prostoalex writes "IBM and Russian Ministry of Communications announced the opening of the first Linux Competency Center in Moscow. Representative of the goverment was quoted saying that such a center will help 'create a Linux ecosystem enabling Russian hi-tech companies to expand into global markets faster. IT solutions based on Linux and open standards will open up great opportunities to businesses in Russia.' This news piece in Russian also quotes Russian government official planning to expand the Linux initiative into provincial cities as well, if the center in Moscow turns out to be a viable idea."

  33. Say Nyet to .NET! Re:In Soviet Russia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Say Nyet to .NET! Say Nyet to .NET!

  34. Say Nyet to .NET! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Say Nyet, say Nyet...to .NET!

  35. Great News for Russia: Linux and Moody's Upgrade by reporter · · Score: 3, Interesting

    News that IBM is opening a Linux Competency Center in Russia comes a day before Moody's Investors Service upgrades Russia's foreign debt to investment grade, according to "Russia Earns Investment-Grade Status". These developments are wonderful news for Russia and the West.

    Russia certainly has many flaws: there are signs that civil rights are being abridged in Russia under the Putin government. However, Russia is far ahead of China in human rights, civil rights, and basic decency. Consider the recent atrocity described in "China Detains Health Official for Publicizing AIDS Coverup". The Chinese arrested (and possibly tortured) a person for revealing that Chinese officials had attempted to sell AIDS-tainted blood products to Americans in the USA.

    It is a no-brainer as to which country deserves American support. American companies should bypass China and put all their investments into Russia and Eastern Europe. American consumers can encourage the American companies to do so by boycotting any product or service that is "Made in China" (which includes "Made in Hong Kong" or "Made in Taiwan"). Furthermore, we should pull our money out of mutual funds that invest in any company located in China (which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan).

    It is imperative (for the preservation of Western society) that Russia outperforms China economically. The Russian value system shares much more in common with the American value system than the Chinese value system.

    ... from the desk of the reporter

  36. Looked at a map lately? by ainsoph · · Score: 1



    Russia my friend is one fuckin huge peice of real estate.

  37. Rough translation of the russian text by parkanoid · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is the best I can make of it:

    The Ministry Of Communications will promote Linux.

    Yesterday, the Ministry of communications and information of Russian Federation and IBM corporation have signed an agreement about the creation of a Linux competency center in Moscow. Among its tasks will be not only support of governmental institutions in using Linux, but also testing and porting of applications based on open source. Up to 60 people (including foreign specialists from IBM) will be employed at the center, which will open in 2004.

    (snipplets follow, translating the whole thing will take too long):

    -The center will be located on the territory of a university, and students will also take part in its work.

    -The federal government already has limited experience in using IBM technologies

    -"Our task now becomes usage of open source programs in making current and future systems in the government work as a whole" (A. Korotkov)

    -Experience shows that, in other governments, open source software may constitute 30% of [all software]. Our country is far behind that, and it's unlikely that usage of standard software, such that [software products by] Microsoft, can be left behind completely due to the aggressive promotion by the manufacturers.

    -"Open source programs aren't completely free, and I cannot say how much we will have to pay for the center"

    -The resources ... will include Intel-architecture IBM eServer xSeries, high-performance Linux clusters, data storage systems. Use of the full specter of IBM software for linux, including WebSphere, DB2, Lotus, Tivoli and Rational, is expected.

    -The first meeting [between the sides] occured back in september 2002.

    -Once the center [is fully operational, tested, etc], similar centers may be deployed in other cities.

    -"This will save tremendous amounts of money for the budget, and this is just the beginning" (minister of communications)

    Pardon any awkwardness in the language, it's hard to translate on the fly.

    1. Re:Rough translation of the russian text by egork · · Score: 1
  38. it's a must! by egork · · Score: 1

    Pora uze, tvoiu-to matj, umom Rossiu ponimajt!
    A lozung "Mozhno tolko veritj" nadolgo sleduet poheritj!!!

  39. No! YHBT YHL2 HAND by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    nt

  40. heh by boredMDer · · Score: 0, Troll

    In Soviet Russia...nah, too easy.

  41. The Translation into English. by egork · · Score: 1

    For the broader public I am translating the news into English. At the moment of posting I am still in the process, but hope to put it in a readable form soon. The first snapshot is already available there (produced by Babelfish)

  42. In Soviet Russia... by DuranDuran · · Score: -1, Troll

    ...a Linux Training Centre opens you!

    --
    "You can justify anything by putting it in quotes, adding a famous name and making it a sig" - Albert Einstein
  43. IN SOVYET RUSHA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    IBM Opens A Linux Training Center In USA!

  44. That was just a matter of time... by sw155kn1f3 · · Score: 1

    We have several Linux user groups here
    and the penetration is very high - for instance every businness here in russia uses linux for sure... bc it saves bucks and opens up some deals.
    Generally linux prevails here (i live in siberia)... Every government entity won't buy microsoft snake oil but hire competent sysadmins/developers to support some apps.
    So the support is very strong here.

    --
    - Arwen, I'm your father, Agent Smith.
    - Well, you're just Smith, but my father is Aerosmith!
    1. Re:That was just a matter of time... by Reservoir+Penguin · · Score: 1

      LOL, save bucks? Why? when you can buy a $500 program for 90 rubles? Dunno about Moscow but here in Novosibirsk every buisness I know runs pirated copies of win soft

      --
      US-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
  45. Re:obligatory . . . . . by ChickenAintDone · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Don't you mean, in the former Soviet Russia?

  46. Ummm... by HoldmyCauls · · Score: 1
    Representative of the goverment was quoted saying...

    Pardon my ignorance, but is the Russian government so unstable that its members can't even be named in a press statement? That is, do we not expect this guy to be in office next week, or what...?
    --
    Emacs: for people who just never know when to :q!
    1. Re:Ummm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      His name is Andrey Korotkov in case you have your engraving tools out.

  47. Accurate Translation by xintegerx · · Score: 1

    I will post an accurate translation of that article in about 5 mins as a reply to this post. Start counting!

    1. Re:Accurate Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pfft... 20 minutes and I'm still counting...

  48. Re:No! YHBT YHL2 HAND by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Who trolled first? Who replied first?

    I trolled first. You replied first. Therefore you lose.

  49. Russia Linux developers by namemattersnot · · Score: 1

    Great news but will it make any difference? Linux is seen as a "cheap" alternative to Microsoft in the West, but when you can purchase virtually ANY piece of software for 2$ at any corner store, why would people want to switch/learn about Linux? Those who want already do know what Linux is.

    By the way, how come no one has ever discussed OwL Linux here -- a security-enhanced operating system made in Russia. It is worth a mention.

  50. SourceForge deveoper in the Ukraine by bangzilla · · Score: 1

    One of the VA Software SourceForge developers is based in the Ukraine. Just an excellent engineer. We only met him for the first time a few months ago -- he's been with the team for over two years. Shows what can be done using SourceForge for distributed development. It's great to see staff in the Ukraine, US and Japan all working together on new development and bug fixing.

    --
    Rich people are eccentric. Poor people are strange. Me, I'd be happy with odd.
  51. In Autocratic Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    IBM bribes YOU.

  52. In Soviet IBM... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Russia trains you?

  53. Esther Dyson's Bet by Ira-Waru · · Score: 1

    There's a really interesting org called the Long Bets Foundation which takes bets that won't be resolved for many years. One for the first was Esther Dyson's for ten grand:

    "By 2012, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times will have referred to Russia as "the world leader in software development" or words to that effect."

    It will be interesting to see if the world looks back in nine years at this event and sees it as a turning point.

    --
    Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing - Pythagoras
  54. HERE IS THE ACCURATE TRANSLATION by xintegerx · · Score: 2, Informative

    IBM has signed an agreement with Russia's Department of Communications as part of an effort to increase the use of Linux within Russia's government. A "Linux Computer Center" will be created in Moscow that will hire up to sixty people (including IBM's own specialists) by early 2004. It's purpose will not only be to encourage government organizations to use Linux--the employees will also spend time testing the operating system source code and porting applications to this platform.

    The Center's location will be an important asset. The Center will be constructed as an additional building on a Russian university campus, thus offering active participation and employment to students as well as members of the DOC and IBM.

    There are many important things the Center staff will have to do. Two are to translate and localize the operating system to the Russian language, and to train government employees on Linux operation. But an important goal of the organization is to push forward a "Digital Russia".

    According to Andrew Korotkov, organizations of the federal government already contain examples of using IBM technology to for solutions. "We will switch our current computer systems to Linux and use Linux solutions on our future computers. Our goal is to put all branches of the federal government on a large-scale open source solution, united as one."

    It will be hard to switch to open source completely, as closed source applications, from companies like Microsoft, might be required for some tasks. However, the hope and drive remains exactly that.~

    Translated by Integer

    1. Re:HERE IS THE ACCURATE TRANSLATION by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What took you so long ?

    2. Re:HERE IS THE ACCURATE TRANSLATION by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I guess time flies

  55. Look here for a full translation as well by egork · · Score: 1
  56. Damn Russians... by plj · · Score: 1

    ...nothing is enough for them!

    First, they conquered 10% of our territory during WWII, as they wouldn't have had enough already. Now, they're hijacking our uni department, too!

    Couldn't they just go and download some MS stuff from KaZaa?

    --
    “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
    1. Re:Damn Russians... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First of all, russians attacked Finnland long before they got involved in WWII. Was it in 1939? And before the revolution in 1917 Finnland was a province of Russia with some form of authonomy. To protect its souverenity from Russia Finnland naturally leaned to the Germany in the period after 1914. Strategically in preparation for the WWII it was only logical for communists to get their north-western border straightend, that's why they attacked Finnland in 1939.

      This is exactly the reason (i.e. strategy) why russians do not stay with MS. You should know yourself what Linux is good for.

    2. Re:Damn Russians... by Reservoir+Penguin · · Score: 1

      I guess we should just go to the pre-1918 borders then.

      --
      US-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
    3. Re:Damn Russians... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But there was no Finland before it regained independence in 1917.

    4. Re:Damn Russians... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Excuse me for asking, but what the hell is "Finnland"?

    5. Re:Damn Russians... by tftp · · Score: 1

      Finland was only one of several pawns that got traded during pre-war times. Other pawns were on both sides; Hitler took some Austria, Stalin took some Poland... Say what you want, but those times were tough and unfair - and that was only the beginning.

  57. Probably something like their center in Austin (?) by cduffy · · Score: 1

    IBM has a major presence in Austin -- and one of the things they've been able to use as a (quite lucerative) bargaining chip with potential customers is use of their local labs to port our software (which already runs on Linux) to their big-iron hardware (or to AIX).

    I'm curious whether their Russian "Linux Competency Center" will also have an AIX box or two available -- basically, I'd be unsuprised if this is something completely new for them as opposed to having similar facilities elsewhere.

  58. Outsourcing by dan14807 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Yet another opportunity for labor outsourcing. Woohoo.

    Hey, maybe we can make up for it with the increase in bread-line-serving jobs that will inevitably be needed as the unemployed of America become the poor, homeless, and starving of America.

    1. Re:Outsourcing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      maybe you shouldnt try and overthrow other governments then and spend more money at home.

      serves all you crazy wacko americans right

      i cant wait till your all cleaning the homes of rich mexicans

    2. Re:Outsourcing by che.kai-jei · · Score: 1

      oh shut up. how come the comfortable whine so much? how could you begrudge the russians any kind of progress while they are the ones that go hungry and homeless and you sit back with your computers and comfort!?

    3. Re:Outsourcing by catherder_finleyd · · Score: 1

      Maybe we will. We could do what Pat Buchanan advocates, and pull out EVERYWHERE (Middle East, Europe, Korea, etc.). Then when you ask the USA to intervene someplace (as you did in Bosnia, Rwanda, Liberia, etc.) we'll tell you to "go to hell".

    4. Re:Outsourcing by the_brat_king · · Score: 1

      FUCK YOU

      I have been unemployed for more than 7 months now... NOT because I don't have qualifications (or even "certs") ... the last FOUR jobs I have received a response for -- and had preliminary employment interviews with -- said the same thing "I'm sorry, but, we've outsourced overseas".

      Tell my daughter, who lives month to month (at THREE YEARS OLD) not knowing if this will be "home", that there are others that deserve the money more! Tell my wife, who works 50+ hours a week -- to help me (and unemployment) make ends meet -- that some fucktard bastard, who DOESN'T EVEN LIVE in this country, deserves MY JOBS more than I do!

      I know 6 programming languages -- and by "know" I don't mean "look in THAT book"... I have more experience with UNIX/Linux than my father-in-law who has been in "the industry" for 30 years, and an IBM ONLY contractor for almost 20.

      I work THREE jobs, as a consultant -- for computer systems and networks (Even though I am a trained, and studied programmer; and a systems administrator who will pull 72 hour shifts), as a mechanic (because I can build custom street legal 10 second cars, and fix your 2003 Toyota with the same tools), and as a flooring installer (even though I have a bullet scar through my left leg, an have had surgery on my right leg three times; two due to carpet installation)...

      I will admit; we lived comfortably, and had ALL of the amentities (my wife had her nails done while the house was cleaned) -- and I don't begrudge ANYONE anything, UNLESS it's because some fuckup of an American Company decided to lower their bottom line by canning us American Workers for some half-ass BUT HALF PAID third-world wannabe who would work for nothing. Guess what fuckhead; my skills ARE WORTH the amount I charge, I am reasonable, I don't want to take advantage of anyone -- I just want the YEARS of dedication I've put into my love of computers, and my learning because of that love, to be justly rewarded!

      Rate me as Troll -- guess what, as an Angry American who has been fucked by enough "foreign interests" who are interested in only bringing their top-dollar mark up -- and by enough "American Companies" who wanted to bring their "bottom-dollar" down, I am ready to be a troll!

      Again, I offer a hearty FUCK YOU -- from the working class American who is losing jobs because of opinions JUST LIKE YOURS!

    5. Re:Outsourcing by che.kai-jei · · Score: 1

      yawn. you confuse me with someone who cares about self intereted losers who blame everyone else.. not even stopping at the usal "'foreigners' come to steal your jobs" line you usually spit out but foreigners who are still in their own country midning their own business!! i love the concept of america but its posts like yours that make me realise why people hate your soft arrogant protectionists asses. you're unemployed cause youre mediocre? good! you had it too goood too long . sorry the beast that fed you whilst you washed and scrubbed it left you in the cold but, hey! you should have seen it coming and done something else. ps .. how can a computer programmer ever be working class?

  59. Better Russia than China by doomdog · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Personally, I think Russia is a far better place to encourage technology than China. Russians are nice people, and their government is slowly but surely becoming more reasonable as the years go on. The Chinese government, on the other hand, doesn't really like the US and is only trading (er, dumping their goods) with us just so they can raise the money needed to build up their military. China will never allow US companies to penetrate their markets or make any money there...

    The United States and Russia have the potential to be great trading partners, in stark contrast to the mortal enemies we were a few decades ago. China on the other hand, is in a relationship of convenience (for them), and as soon as they've drained the US dry, they'll become a far larger problem and threat to the US than Russia ever was...

    We should not encourage (or even allow, I say) technology transfers to China (of course, Clinton sold us down the river by giving all sorts of secrets to the Chinese, so the damage may have already been done).

    1. Re:Better Russia than China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If China is so sure they're going to whiz past the US, why is so much of their money invested long term in the US?

    2. Re:Better Russia than China by doomdog · · Score: 1

      The short answer is: currency economics; they currently don't have much of a choice. If they were to invest their earned US Dollars outside the US, it would be harder to maintain their artificially-low peg of the Renmimbi to the Dollar...

    3. Re:Better Russia than China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      If China is so sure they're going to whiz past the US, why is so much of their money invested long term in the US?

      They haven't invested any of their money in the US.

      Fact is, China regards both the U.S. and Russia as enemies. The U.S. is China's enemy because of (among other things):

      • our military power and the ability to project it worldwide,
      • the conflict with the U.S. over Taiwan,
      • prior Western occupation of China, and
      • the presence of our navy off their coast (even in the Phillipines!).
      Russia is China's enemy because of (among other things):
      • Russian land grabs of areas claimed by the Chinese (these go back centuries),
      • Russian attempts to intervene in Chinese politics (these go back centuries too),
      • Russia's nuclear missiles pointed at China,
      • Russia's vast largely unprotected Eastern border with China,
      • The lack of arable land in China, and
      • All that nice arable land in Russia going unused.

      China will make a grab for Russian land eventually. They'll probably wait until the Russian population is decimated by AIDS and alcoholism and Russian missiles are too old to work properly. But before that the PRC will attack Taiwan and sadly get their coastline incinerated. So visit Shanghai while you have the chance.

    4. Re:Better Russia than China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      But Taiwan will provide China with the technology to build the weapons that will threaten both the USA and Russia. Please read "Reality of Taiwan".

    5. Re:Better Russia than China by doomdog · · Score: 1

      They haven't invested any of their money in the US.

      You are sadly uninformed. China has rather large holdings of US Treasury bills and bonds: some $346.50 billion worth, according to CNN (http://money.cnn.com/2003/09/05/commentary/bidask /bidask/

    6. Re:Better Russia than China by tftp · · Score: 1

      Russia (and many russians) is currently wary of the USA. Too many threats and unfriendly moves come from North American continent recently. For example, NATO expansion, military alliance with Georgia, military bases in Central Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan... whether you like it or not, Rissia sees itself surrounded, because it is. Why those restless, emire-building americans can't just stay at home and be happy, like everyone does?

  60. Rough troll translation of rough translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In Soviet Russia

    This is the best it can make of me!:

    The Linux will promote Ministry Of Communications!

    Yesterday, the creation of a Linux competency center in Moscow have signed an agreement about the Ministry of communications and information of Russian Federation and IBM corporation! Among its tasks will be not only support of Linux in using governmental institutions, but also testing and porting of applications based on open source! The centerwill be employed at up to 60 people (including foreign specialists from IBM) , which will open in 2004!

    etc....

  61. Finally catching up to MS! by sdhughes · · Score: 1

    Great! Now all of the exploits and worms written by our overseas friends can be for other operating systems besides Windows.

  62. Were are you Linux papers? by niko9 · · Score: 1

    Will they be rounding up capatalist^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^HMicrosoft sympathizers and shipping them off to Syberia?

    --

    1. Re:Were are you Linux papers? by Feztaa · · Score: 1

      Will they be rounding up capatalist^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^HMicrosoft sympathizers and shipping them off to Syberia?

      I hope so! Let the Microsoft apologizers freeze to death in Siberia, because this Linux training center is in Moscow.

  63. It should read:IN SCOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Training centers for Linux OPEN IBM

  64. Yay! More US jobs headed overseas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Watch out Red Hat

  65. The whole buzz is about IBM and Goverment... by egork · · Score: 1

    use of Linux. This becomes a completely different story then.

  66. IN CORPORATE AMERICA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bung.

  67. You'd better... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... learn how to design desktop OS'ses well there in US. (should I remind you where the Linux comes from?)

  68. This one actually works.... by batura · · Score: 1

    In Soivet Russia, we use communal software!

    1. Re:This one actually works.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Soviet Russia, software uses YOU!

  69. Re:obligatory . . . . . by kraksmoka · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    yes, sure, whaddeva. . . .. . :)

    --
    "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." - Rahm Emanuel
  70. Why isn't this modded as a troll yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    see subject.

    1. Re:Why isn't this modded as a troll yet? by doomdog · · Score: 1

      Because it is not a troll... Just a personal opinion.

  71. troll indeed by mnemonic_ · · Score: 1

    "Russians are nice people"
    And the Chinese aren't? You should know of course, having personally met over 50% of all Chinese and Russian citizens (isn't that around 600 million people?). I doubt that you ever met a single native Russian or Chinese person.

    "their government is slowly but surely becoming more reasonable as the years go on"
    After Putin came into power the government's grip on the "independent" TV and print media has clearly tightened. And of course there is Chechnya, but that is a different debate...

    "The Chinese government, on the other hand, doesn't really like the US and is only trading (er, dumping their goods) with us just so they can raise the money needed to build up their military. China will never allow US companies to penetrate their markets or make any money there..."
    This couple of sentences is just bizarre... Do you have any support for any of your statements? And when's the last time you've looked at the "MADE IN..." message on something you've bought in America?

    "The United States and Russia have the potential to be great trading partners"
    Why? You have given no valid reasons.

    "China on the other hand, is in a relationship of convenience (for them), and as soon as they've drained the US dry, they'll become a far larger problem and threat to the US than Russia ever was..."
    Draining the U.S. dry... I suppose the U.S. is just giving China stuff for free? And that the U.S. has no other sources of revenue besides trade with China?

    "We should not encourage (or even allow, I say) technology transfers to China (of course, Clinton sold us down the river by giving all sorts of secrets to the Chinese, so the damage may have already been done)."
    Off topic tangent. And what have you been smoking?

    If your post is not intended to be a troll, then please, before you make such strong opinions, use something other than American movies and computer games plots as your sources of information.

    1. Re:troll indeed by doomdog · · Score: 1

      "Russians are nice people" And the Chinese aren't? You should know of course, having personally met over 50% of all Chinese and Russian citizens (isn't that around 600 million people?). I doubt that you ever met a single native Russian or Chinese person.

      You're reading far too much into a simple post...

      I have been to Russia - I spent a few months there working on a project... The people I met were extremely nice to me, and didn't seem to harbor any ill will towards Americans. Of course, I was there before Putin was in power; things may be different now. I have never been to China, so I have no idea if I would be as well received there... I have worked with a few native Chinese -- not many, though -- and I found them harder to get along with than the Russians.

      Of course, that is totally irrelevant; my post is concerned with the attitude of the governments of those two countries, not with the average inhabitant...

    2. Re:troll indeed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >This couple of sentences is just bizarre... Do you have any support for any of your statements? And when's the last time you've looked at the "MADE IN..." message on something you've bought in America?

      Every time I buy something - and if it says "Made in China" or "Made in Indonesia" or "Made in *Name your random 3rd world shithole*", I buy something else or go somewhere else, except when I know the product is made no where else. Then I go on a 2 hour pissed off rant about how those goddamn CEOs and Dubya and those assholes in Congress (Kucinich and a few others excepted) are selling Americans out and how much I look forward to the next Bastille day.

      Oh, and when that fat fuck, Bill O'Reilly, told everyone to boycott France, my wife and I went out and bought a French-made frying pan that very day.

      I only support "Free Trade" with countries with the similar cost of living, otherwise I am just supporting the "race to the bottom".

  72. I think I speak for everyone when I say this by mnemonic_ · · Score: 1

    Yob t'voyu mat.

    1. Re:I think I speak for everyone when I say this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      uzhas! Takoy ne xoroshi jazik!

  73. As good a translation as can be after having a few by and+by · · Score: 1

    You'll have to forgive any and all errors in this. I'm in Boston and the Sox just lost again. We're all drowning our sorrows in town, but I saw this and thought I should translate it.

    MiniComm Will Promote Linux

    Yesterday, the Communication and Informations Ministry of the Russian Federation and IBM signed an agreement for the creation of a Linux competency center in Moscow. Therein, the plan is not only the support of governmental organizations in using Linux, but testing and porting based on open-source code. Up to 60 people will work at the center starting in 2004, including foreign IBM specialists.

    The agreement of intent signed in the company of journalists by the acting premier minister of communication and information, Andrej Korotkov, and the vice-president of corporate strategy for IBM, Mrs. Val Rahmani, makes provisions for the creation of the center and the joint work of IBM, MiniComm, and Moscow Technological University of Communication and Information. The center will be built on the territory of the university, and the work there will be undertook not only by MiniComm and IBM specialists, but by students as well. Apart from the education of working with Linux, adaptation and localization of different programs, the center will fulfill another important task: the promotion of "Electronic Russia." As stated Andrej Korotkov, in there are already examples of the use of IBM technology in the federal organs of government, for instance in Tatarstan. "Our task now becomes, using open-source programs, making already-existing and future systems in the government organs work together as one whole," said Mr. Korotkov.

    The experiment will show that in other governments, open-source programs can take up to 30% from the total programming outlay in the government. Our country is still far from that, and it is hardly likely that it is possible to get away from the use of a standard program, for instance Microsoft, completely during such active politicking of its promotion from the side of the creators / authors. However, hope exists on the widening of the use of Linux as an program unto itself; just as in MiniComm the intention to do this has been set off, including the "Electronic Russia" initiative. Thus, considers Andrej Korotkov, "if in two years within the confines of the russian government the use of [Linux] will be up to 30%, that will be very good." The Linux Competency Center will be open for the stimulation of growth of applications and solutions, the provision of support, consultation, education of Linux technology, promotion of Linux products and a feasible localization of solutions on the platform. Therein, says IBM says it's ready to offer access to resources of the center and it's partners who can test on it's platform and solutions on a Linux platform or on another open-source program. Also, IBM is ready to work with independent russian developers of such programs.

    Andrej Korotkov declined to offer even a rough number as to the amount MiniComm will put into the Center. "Open-Source Programs aren't free themselves, and I can't say how much we're going to have to spend on the Center," said Mr. Korotkov. A general count of the personnel of the center should number 50 to 60 people, however that number should possibly change in connection with the beginnings and ends of projects.

    The use of technology provided by the russian office of IBM in the Competency Center. Although the list is concrete, the equipment is not yet guaranteed. It is already clear that the resources which will be found in the center will include various server systems, including the IBM family of Intel-based servers, eServer xSeries, high-performance Linux clusters, and data storage systems. It is planned that in the Center, the entire spectrum of IBM's Linux-based programs, including the WebSphere, DB2, Lotus, Tivoli, and Rational families, providing for the creation of complete, integrated, safe solutions. IBM will also provide access between the Center's workers and those in

  74. Russian is an European Language by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Most Russian live in Europe, therefore Russian is a European Language.

    Siberia is in Asia but is not really Russia,only a Russian colony.

    The British, the Spanish and the French conquered colonies overseas, the Russians conquered their own backyard, Siberia. Anyways most Russians dont live in Siberia but west of the Ural Mountains, in Europe. Nobody says that English is not a European language becuase is spoken in its former colonies, India, USA, etc. Why do you think this about Russian?

    Unlike other European empires Russia did nor lose their colonies.

    BTW I am not Russian, but Hungarian.(Hungarian is also a European language, because Hungary is in Europe)

    1. Re:Russian is an European Language by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Unlike other European empires Russia did nor lose their colonies.

      They lost their Chineese "interests" when the communists gave em back.

  75. Russia is better than China!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    There are numerous differences between the Russians and the Chinese.

    1. The Russians allow autonomy for Chechnya (but not independence). The Chinese do not allow autonomy for Tibet. The Chinese have stationed thousands of soldiers in Tibet and have tortured and killed Tibetans nuns and children. The Taiwanese support integrating Tibet into one China.
    2. The Chinese have attempted to sell AIDS-contaminated blood products to Americans. The Russians have never stooped this low. Please read "Great News for Russia: Linux and Moody's Upgrade"
    3. The majority of spies for the former Soviet Union did not come from the Russian immigrant community that fled Soviet tyanny. On the other hand, the majority of spies for mainland China come from the Chinese community that immigrated from Taiwan.

    The best way for Americans, at a personal level, to deal with the Chinese is to boycott all products made in China (which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan). Further, avoid putting money into any mutual fund that invests in companies based in China (which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan).

  76. oh great! by boskone · · Score: 1

    Like we aren't already called linux commies enough already....

    Seriously though, this is the march of globilization, but I wonder if this will cause more outsourcing and more cracking coming for .ru?

  77. Bin Laden is in Chechnya by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Russia attacks Chechnya because they want to help the US, Bin Laden hides there!

    Bill Nye the science guy said that on public television last Friday.

  78. Bill Nye the science guy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Did he report on Bin Laden research in nuclear physics?

    Sure Bin Laden is building an H-bomb in Chechnyan caves.

  79. Re:Great News for Russia: Linux and Moody's Upgrad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That really, really shouldn't include "Made in Taiwan." Despite what the PRC's government may want you to believe, Taiwan IS a seperate, democratic country.

    --Greg

  80. low profile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    any top student will have to keep his head down since the retarded materialistic russian mob will want him to extort someone somewhere.....guess those fools never saw "outer limits"....the one where some poor sap from the past who stole gold at great expense then went to the future and found it meaning less.....dumb ass materialistic criminal fools.

  81. Re:Great News for Russia: Linux and Moody's Upgrad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Taiwan is a state that supports the geopolitical objectives of mainland China. While the Chinese army is beat, raping, and killing Tibetan nuns, the Taiwanese government insists that Tibet should be integrated into China. The Taiwanese education system teaches that Tibet is part of China, and the Taiwanese constitution says so.

    It is sick and disgusting. (reference: "Reality of Taiwan") The USA should immediately stop selling weapons to China.

  82. Well, good luck, IBM by melted · · Score: 1

    As far as I know Sun has MUCH stronger market presence there than IBM. Why? Because their hardware is cheaper. The main purpose of IBM coming to this market is to push their hardware there (and then services when buyers discover what kind of poorly-cobbled-together crap they've bought). In Russia this is a hard thing to do, there are not that many companies with multimillion dollar IT budgets. Some can afford Sun servers and workstations, and virtually nobody can afford ultra-expensive IBM mainframes. Also, there is a great shortage of UNIX/Linux specialists. In a situation when you can buy the latest release of Windows (or, say, Photoshop or Visual Studio or whatever) for a couple of bucks Linux being free doesn't sound as compelling.

    1. Re:Well, good luck, IBM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, as you stated the hardware being so expensive it wouldn't be reasonable to buy Windows XP with $2 for a computer that couldn't run it. More reasonable would be to buy old PC's, or Sun hardware (since it is so cheap according to you) and install Linux on it for free.

    2. Re:Well, good luck, IBM by richman555 · · Score: 1

      You are forgetting that Linux runs on cheaper Intel Hardware.... all of which IBM sells.

    3. Re:Well, good luck, IBM by mAriuZ · · Score: 1

      don't forget that in time BSA police will go
      in Russsia to...
      Then will be the big jump for linux .
      But linux is choosen not only for price but also for
      technical merits (uptime, easy to administrate, stable apache+php)
      This is why firms put linux on them servers even
      they know there are legal *problems* with SCO

      --
      developer http://flamerobin.org
    4. Re:Well, good luck, IBM by melted · · Score: 1

      IBM isn't making money on their Intel hardware (nobody but Dell and HP do) they make money on mainframes and support. So the main reason for them to come to Russia is to try sell their overpriced junk.

  83. Offtopic: Interesting news for /.ers about Russia by ihatesco · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Boys and girl, for your interest the Soviet Union dissolved in August 1991.

    http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch33.htm

    This means that Soviet Russia jokes are sooo 12 years ago...

    --
    "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  84. hmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    are we gonna have to call it Cyberia from now on? (which, I've just noticed sounds like the title for a Neal Stephenson novel)

  85. here's the real deal by golgotha007 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As an American living in Russia, let me tell you about the linux scoop:
    there is practically no linux here. why? because MS is free, or practically free.
    I can run down to the metro station and pick up MS winxp, MS office for 2 bucks a pop (licenses included).
    Games and DVD's are no different, and they have all the latest stuff.
    it's quite common when purchasing commerical software that the 'crack' resides on the same CD as the software.
    Games are just the same
    Russia has a beyond serious pirating problem (I'm sort of not complaining, I was tired of paying $50 per game in the US).

    If a business has an option to run on linux for free or windows for free, they would probably choose windows, and that's what they do here.

    I would love to see some member of the SPA or MS come here and try to do an company audit on any of the businesses here. i guarantee you these people would be left crawling out of the building with broken legs.

    I've been a linux consultant and my business has been running since 1999, and in the States we're doing pretty good. I thought it would be easy to do some consulting here in Russia.

    are you kidding? the only consulting I've been doing here is for a company in Sweden...

    because internet costs here by the megabyte (usually between 3 and 6 cents per meg), i've written an accounting and billing application (iptables, php, mysql) that counts packets NAT'd behind the firewall for each machine. the whole thing runs on linux, and i'm finding more and more private underground networks that are more than willing to adopt linux to perform this function.

    believe me, i'm trying like mad to get people interested in linux over here, but the fact that all MS products are practically free keeps getting in the way.

    1. Re:here's the real deal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The time is coming in Russia, to care if you run pirated software on a server. Especially in a authority office. This is just another risk nobody needs. As the operation become mature, the risk factors come into play wich were negligent before. So there is a business case for Linux now, I guess.

    2. Re:here's the real deal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Linux is used in Russia a lot in specific areas, like science and engineering, that is the areas where they've traditionally run Unix. These, incidentally, are the areas where linux is popular in the US too.

    3. Re:here's the real deal by The-Bus · · Score: 1

      I'm willing to bet a nickel that Microsoft is (1) extremely well aware of this and (2) biding their time until they make a case about this. Right now in their view, piracy gets them market share and people can't afford MS products. Once they have the market locked down and people can afford to pay for software (they may already, I don't know)-- MS will strike down on piracy.

      --

      Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.

  86. Ty durak ili chto? by Quietti · · Score: 1

    It's none of our friggin problem if your brain is so incompetent that it can only use one language. Poor sob.

    --
    Software is not supposed to be about how to work around a useability issue. - Ken Barber
  87. Linux is dead in Russia by wumpus188 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    As it stands now, there is no future for Linux in Russia. Two main reasons for this are:

    Desktop is taken by MS. Contrary to other countries, there is no reason to switch to Linux to save money because Linux and WinXP costs the same - about $3. You can buy pirated XP and almost any Windows software and development tools for the same cost - about 100 rubels - everywhere. What works for Linux in eastern countries doesnt work in Russia.

    Servers are taken by FreeBSD. Ask any russian sysadmin and you will hear that Linux sucks on server side. Almost all major ISPs and hosting companies are running *BSD.

    There is some tuny amount of commercial Linux development coming from outsources projects, mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

    The unfortunate truth is that IBM opens this center to push IBM hardware not Linux in Russia. Russia has always been a Sun land and IBM realises this.

    1. Re:Linux is dead in Russia by mAriuZ · · Score: 0

      do you live in russia ?
      just currious ...

      --
      developer http://flamerobin.org
    2. Re:Linux is dead in Russia by wumpus188 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Yes

  88. From the news ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    America is bad and our greatest enemy and
    this is a great news as we will be able to narrow
    the technology gap between us and them.
    The next time our tanks and anti-aircraft missiles,
    running stable and powerfull Linux OS
    won't be as easy target for US Army as in the
    Iraq's war! As Lenin said - capitalists will
    give us the rope we will hang them on !

    Not mentioning that outsourcing many jobs
    from the US to Russia is bad for them and
    good for us!

  89. Ya njipini mai by GQuon · · Score: 1

    Ya njipini mai

    --
    Irene KHAAAAAAN!
  90. Rather than "Republican America" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A more appropriate description is:

    "Redubyacans".

    Thanks and have an Ashcroft-free day,
    W00t

    1. Re:Rather than "Republican America" by sa-thigpen · · Score: 0

      Russia opens a training center at IBM.

  91. Russia 1 - Romania 0 (on the linux field ) by mAriuZ · · Score: 0, Redundant

    If you think this ibm move is bad for russians
    then look of what ms does in romania

    http://www.mcti.ro/mcti0.html?page=1610
    18th of September - Strategic partnership between Romanian Government and Microsoft Corporation

    Yesterday, 17th of September 2003, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dan Nica, cosigned, at Rome, with Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft Corporation, a document that initiates a strategic partnership between the Romanian Government and Microsoft Corporation.

    Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, stated: On behalf of Microsoft I am very, very excited to have the opportunity to enter this agreement with the Government of Romania, we had a very strong relationship with the government for a number of years. I am amazed to see how they quick progressed, their ambition and impressive work is being done by the Romanian government, bringing itself online, using the Internet and the electronic techniques to save money for the people of Romania and to really be on a worldwide level, leading as user of information technology. We certainly appreciate the high caliber, talent in the Romanian market, in mathematics, in computers. Microsoft recently acquired a Romanian company, one of the best in the world, the best in the world, we think, in security technology and it's exciting to have the chance to really help and support Minister Nica, to continue to improve our relations with Romania."

    The partnership will run for three years, with possibility of renewal, and has as object the support provided to the Government in reaching its strategic purposes, with a view to creating an Information Society and the support for the development of the IT sector in order to enable Romania to become an European leader in software development. Also, the partnership creates conditions for concluding a framework-agreement of license between the Government and Microsoft. In order to unfold the strategic partnership, the Government and Microsoft will form a special team, which will be established by the end of October this year.

    The agreement also includes the possibility for Microsoft to provide experts from its local or regional branches, in IT projects, and to support the development of the activity and capacities in this sector. In addition, the company could run IT training courses for the public administration personnel involved in complex projects and work out an adequate curriculum for training centers. The agreement also includes the possibility to launch a specific educational program and to continue the Academic Program initiative, which will develop the entrepreneurial skills of the students.

    --
    developer http://flamerobin.org
  92. did it for a stonned AC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was just able to image all of that like it would be in the movie and it made me laugh for a sec.

  93. Time to combine as many cliches as possible. by lord_nightrose · · Score: 0

    I for one welcome our Soviet Russian Linux-using overlords who are about to have their license revoked by SCO's GNAA/Trollkore squad, while chanting about the death of BSD and explaining their illogical three-step business plans!

    --
    This is not part of my post. It's my signature. I bet you're disappointed.
  94. Why do I get the feeling that MS is posting $2... by iendedi · · Score: 1

    Why do I get the feeling that the posts about $2 MS products in Russia are being made by MS representatives?

    Is it possible that MS actually wants piracy to be widespread in economically underdeveloped nations in order to compete with free alternatives? Am I just being paranoid?

    The main reason that I ask is that I keep seeing all of these posts about how Linux isn't used much in Russia because MS is $2 on the corner (always $2). But, everyone I know in Russia uses Linux and there is a ton of OSS activity there with many many OSS contributors.

    So what's the scoop? The people posting here that nobody uses Linux because MS is $2... Where do these people get their info? Is there a different part of Russia that is all MS?

    --

    It is your personal duty to fight for what is right on a daily basis. Ignoring injustice is identical to approving
  95. Linux rules in Russia... by iendedi · · Score: 1

    Desktop is taken by MS. Contrary to other countries, there is no reason to switch to Linux to save money because Linux and WinXP costs the same - about $3. You can buy pirated XP and almost any Windows software and development tools for the same cost - about 100 rubels - everywhere. What works for Linux in eastern countries doesnt work in Russia.

    I don't know what rock you are living under, but there is a very heavy Linux base in Russia... Just go google for Russian Linux sites if you want verification... I think you are just tossing around wishful thinking. It is hard for some of you MS fanatacs / zealots to stomache the idea that when MS software is also free, people and business still choose OSS. But that is the deal. It is about control and quality more than costs.

    --

    It is your personal duty to fight for what is right on a daily basis. Ignoring injustice is identical to approving
  96. MOD PARENT UP INFORMATIVE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Too much FUD in this discussion about MS $2 CDs making OSS irrelevant. The truth from someone is Russia should be modded up.

  97. Re:Why do I get the feeling that MS is posting $2. by golgotha007 · · Score: 1

    Why do I get the feeling that the posts about $2 MS products in Russia are being made by MS representatives?

    ack, have at you! i've never been so insulted...

    The main reason that I ask is that I keep seeing all of these posts about how Linux isn't used much in Russia because MS is $2 on the corner (always $2).

    ok, ok i'll be a bit more honest. i've seen winxp for between 60 and 120 roubles, which is between $2 and $4.

    i've been living in Saint Petersburg now for 6 months. i haven't met a fellow linux geek, but i have met a ton of windows weenies. i've installed linux on a dozen computers, but i find that the users play with it for 2 or 3 days, then boot back up into winxp.

    perhaps i should look into locating a Saint Pete users group here.