Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft-Novell Takes Open-Source to China

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the because-it-wasn't-already-there dept.

Bibek Paudel writes "In a move to tap the growing market of free and open source-softwares in developing economies, Microsoft and Novell have announced they were expanding their alliance into the Chinese market. Microsoft and Novell believe big enterprises in China are willing to pay to have the US firms keep hybrid systems updated and running and for assurances that there is permission to use patented software involved. The companies are marketing 'supported Linux' in which they take a fee to maintain software systems blending the open-source programs with Microsoft products such as Vista, Office, Excel and Outlook.The longtime US computer software rivals unveiled their alliance in late 2006, saying their engineers were 'building a bridge' between Microsoft's proprietary software and Novell programs based on the Linux operating system. Sunday was the first time the firms publicly targeted a specific country with their effort."

3 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Is this equivalent to MS giving up on China? by damn_registrars · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Considering how rampant software piracy has been reported to be in China, is this perhaps a sign that Microsoft is looking for a way to make a buck on that market, even if they can't sell much software per capita?

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  2. Why China? by stox · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Because they figure that they will get the least resistance from true open source users there. Microsoft is going to try everything it can to dilute the effects of open source on their business strategies. China is the perfect place to build some momentum, and then trumpet their success on the rest of the market.

    --
    "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
  3. MS and China's special Linux by LM741N · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is MS going to support "Red Linux" or whatever its called. They don't seem to trust any software made somewhere other than China, and I don't blame them. I think MS is doomed on this initiative. Hey, maybe the Chinese will eventually buy MS? They have so much of our money now.