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Vladimir Putin Is Replacing Microsoft Programs With Domestic Software (bloomberg.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the state-sponsored-software dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Moscow city will replace Microsoft Corp. programs with domestic software on thousands of computers in answer to President Vladimir Putin's call for Russia's authorities to reduce dependence on foreign technology amid tensions with the U.S. and Europe. The city will initially replace Microsoft's Exchange Server and Outlook on 6,000 computers with an e-mail system installed by state-run carrier Rostelecom PJSC, Artem Yermolaev, head of information technology for Moscow, told reporters Tuesday. Moscow may expand deployment of the new software, developed by Russia's New Cloud Technologies, to as many as 600,000 computers and servers, and may also consider replacing Windows and Office, Yermolaev said. Putin is urging state entities and local companies to go domestic amid concerns over security and reliability after U.S. firms shut down paid services in Crimea following Russia's 2014 annexation. The plan poses a challenge to the likes of Microsoft, SAP SE and Oracle Corp. in the country's $3 billion software market. Adding to pressure, Putin's internet czar German Klimenko wants to raise taxes on U.S. technology companies to help Russian competitors such as Yandex NV and Mail.ru Group Ltd.

10 of 277 comments (clear)

  1. So in Soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...domestic software replaces YOU, mr. Nadella ?!?

  2. This will cost Microsoft a fortune by spywhere · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're going to lose the revenue from both of the Office licenses used by the Russian government...

    1. Re:This will cost Microsoft a fortune by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, due to a mishap in bureaucracy, accidentally two different offices ordered a license. The responsible official has been relocated to Sibiria for extended education.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  3. They'll come crawling back by Guyle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Once the average Russian gets tired of their homegrown software crapping out on them they'll be begging for their Windows 98 workstations back.

    1. Re:They'll come crawling back by courteaudotbiz · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, the gulag IS Windows 10.

    2. Re:They'll come crawling back by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

      Only in the Russian Reversal. In the free world, Windows 10 IS the gulag.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  4. Come on baby by LichtSpektren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let it be called KremLinux and all is forgiven!

    1. Re:Come on baby by Pseudonymous+Powers · · Score: 5, Funny

      Let it be called KremLinux and all is forgiven!

      KremLinux is for losers. I'm going with KGBSD.

  5. Re:Trans-Pacific Partnership will hurt them then a by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

    So the end of the communism did not end the shortage of toilet paper?

    For our non-Soviet friends: TP was in notorious short supply during the final days of the communist rule, which led to a lot of amusing anecdotes and jokes like:

    Party Speaker: Comrades! In 5 years, everyone will have a car!
    Listener: And when are we going to get toilet paper?
    PS: And comrades! In 10 years, everyone will have his own little house!
    L: But ... the toilet paper?
    PS (outraged): KISS MY ASS! (literally: lick me in the asshole)
    L: As usual. For themselves, the party has a solution, but for us...

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  6. Re:Suggested name: Putinux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Each process will have standard putin and standard putout. You can redirect the latter to /dev/siberia if you do not want to see it (ever again).