Could Microsoft be on the way out?

[foxy lady]

The governments and private sectors of Japan, China and South Korea are set to jointly develop an operating system to replace Microsoft Corp.'s Windows.

 

The Japanese Government is said to be upset by continuing issues with Windows and is looking to develop an alternative. The plan was advocated by Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma at a meeting of economic ministers from the three countries held in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

 

I can't help thinking that with such powerful backing it wouldn't take long to knock Windows off its perch and a new standard software to become the norm.

[Number Six]

I wonder if those governments have ever heard of Linux?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux

[foxy lady]

Agreed - it seems ridiculous that companies and governments spend millions when there are free alternatives out there, and free alternatives that they themselves can alter the source code for.

 

From what I have gathered Linux are involved.

 

http://www.infoworld.com/t/platforms/report-japan-korea-china-break-windows-ties-179

 

Plans for the governments and private sector companies of Japan, South Korea, and China to jointly work together on the development of a new operating system to rival Microsoft Corp.'s Windows will be unveiled later this week, according to two Japanese newspaper reports.

 

Takeo Hiranuma, the Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, will outline the plan at a regional meeting of economic ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Wednesday, reported the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in its Sunday edition and the Asahi Shimbun on its Web site on Monday.

 

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry declined to confirm the report.

 

The Wednesday announcement will be the first time that the plans will be made public. The final agreement on the project is due in the middle of September, the reports said.

 

The focus of the work was unclear from the newspaper reports.

 

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, quoting "sources close to the matter," said a new operating system was being considered after the recent spate of viruses that has targeted the Windows operating system. Work to be undertaken will include development of new applications such as word processor and spreadsheet software.

 

In its report, the Asahi Shimbun said the plan is aimed at "smart devices" such as cellular telephones, digital cameras and car navigation systems and computer servers. The idea is being driven by a fear that Microsoft could corner the market for such devices as it has done on the desktop, said the Asahi.

 

Both newspapers agreed that the project would take the open-source Linux operating system as its base and build on top of it.

 

Japanese companies including NTT Data Corp., Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., NEC Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and Fujitsu Ltd. are expected to take part, said the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

 

 

I can't believe the system censors Matsu****a!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hard2miss]

We should throw a few quid at this as well.

[Bulgarian]

I can't help thinking that with such powerful backing it wouldn't take long to knock Windows off its perch and a new standard software to become the norm.

 

In Japan, China and Korea perhaps, but what will make the average person (or bussiness) choose it over Windows (or Linux), and I don't see how a bunch of East Asians controling your computer is prefferable to a bunch of Americans. Swapping one monopoly for another isn't exactly progress.

[barpen]

In Japan, China and Korea perhaps, but what will make the average person (or bussiness) choose it over Windows (or Linux), and I don't see how a bunch of East Asians controling your computer is prefferable to a bunch of Americans. Swapping one monopoly for another isn't exactly progress.

 

Where do you think the computers come from? Most people stick to the operating system that is supplied with a PC.

[Redyam]

Whereas here in the UK the NHS spends £millions on a multi-year deal to equip every computer with Micro$oft software. And years later with £millions spent, they have got nothing to show for it!