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China, Japan To Utilize Linux More Often

Posted by Zonk on from the stepping-out-and-meeting-people dept.

DIY News writes "Japan aims to switch some government computers to the free Linux operating system and reduce its dependence on Microsoft Windows. Japan is drawing up guidelines for its ministries recommending open source software such as Linux as an "important option" in government procurement, said an official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications." Relatedly, an anonymous reader writes "China will install a total of 141,624 new Linux desktops as school computers this year, according to an article at DesktopLinux.com. The PCs are ticketed for the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, for an educational program called the School-to-School Project. They will run Sun Wah Linux's Debian-based RAYS LX. The installation is claimed to be the largest procurement project in China's education history. Go Tux!"

3 of 19 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Too Bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    If it's left configured to the default Debian repositories they can apt-get install anarchism ;) (very good read, by the way).

  2. Effect upon US Economy by Distinguished+Hero · · Score: 3, Informative

    Coincidentally, the US' trade deficit continues to rise. Not surprising considering the only things still made in the US that other people want are shitty movies and software. With most of the software being replaced by open source software, and shitty American movies (and software) being openly pirated, you guys will have no source of revenue. You'll be stuck giving each other massages, suing each other, and selling houses to each other, all the while, allowing foreign nationals to amass large reserves of your currency. The idea of a service only economy (no manufacturing) combined with disdain for intellectual property rights, really doesn't leave you guys with anything to export.
    As the saying goes, you've made your bed; I hope you enjoy sleeping in it.

    --
    Uttering logically derived and empirically supported truths to the disciples of the orthodox establishment.
  3. Use, not utilize. by stienman · · Score: 2, Informative

    China, Japan To Utilize Linux More Often

    Utilize means to use something for a purpose which it was not intended or designed for.

    You would use a hammer to hit a nail into an object. But you might instead utilize your shoe to hit the nail into the object.

    Utilize - to create utility where there is none.

    The upshot is - I'm surprisingly curious to know in what way they are going to utilize Linux. As far as I can tell, not only can linux do everything, it was explicity designed to do everything, and therefore, by definition, cannot possibly be utilized, only used.

    </tongue in cheek>

    -Adam