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| Friday, 16 July 2004 |
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Asian governments turn to Linux Open source software Asian governments are adopting the freely available Linux operating system in a bid to cut costs and address security concerns, helping the region drive global growth in demand for the software, according to vendors and analysts. Unlike proprietary software such as Microsoft's Windows and Sun Microsystems" Solaris version of the Unix operating system, which have carefully guarded codes, Linux is known as "open source" software because the basic programming code can be copied and modified freely by developers, allowing wide collaboration. Linux competes mainly against Windows and Unix in the market for networked servers, the large computers that crunch data and connect to the Web. "The relatively higher cost of licence fees for Windows is a key factor driving regional governments to consider Linux, Sun's Asian sales director, Terence Ng, said. "The amount of money paid for proprietary software licences can help governments in some developing markets like Malaysia and Vietnam build a bridge or even buy a plane," he said. Red Hat, a Linux distributor, says the savings can be as much as 80 per cent, but such figures are hotly disputed, and some studies say the total cost of deploying Linux can exceed that for Windows. Governments are also worried about security flaws in Microsoft software and possible threats to national security from using software codes tightly held by one company, analysts said. In March, Thailand agreed with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to develop Linux software in Asia to reduce imports of Microsoft software. The following month, officials from China, South Korea and Japan met to explore ways to promote Linux as a viable alternative to Windows. "In open source software, the data is mine, and I can always access it," said Gus Robertson, vice president of South Asian operations for Red Hat. That, he said, is "unlike documents created in proprietary software, which cannot be opened once I no longer have access, even if the information is my own intellectual property." Linux accounted for 10 per cent of server shipments in Asia excluding Japan in 2003, up from 7 per cent in 2001, and the figure is forecast to jump to 25 per cent by 2008, according to International Data Corp. That would be equivalent to an annual growth rate of more than 38 per cent, making Linux the fastest-growing server platform in the region. The growth rate worldwide in the same period is forecast to be about 27 per cent. |
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