China DOS Union

Gong Li, President of Sun China Research Institute, Discusses How to Defeat Microsoft with Linux

2002-11-09 14:59:00 21CN IT Channel


The industry has maintained a high level of attention on Sun Microsystems' announcement that it will officially launch Linux-based low-cost computers (Purple PC) next year. Recently, Gong Li, President of Sun China Engineering Research Institute, once again discussed strategies for Linux to compete against Microsoft during an exclusive interview with media reporters from Taiwan Province of China.

The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Q: The Linux PC project will be led by the China Engineering Research Institute. Could you describe Sun's plans for this initiative?

A: The Linux PC will gradually integrate with Sun's previous Solaris PC, providing applications for simple computing needs such as calendars, email, StarSuite, and a browser developed by the China Engineering Research Institute. Additionally, the Linux PC embodies Sun's concept of "the network is the computer," where all user data resides on the network. When switching to another computer, users only need to carry a Java card (SunRay) without shutting down the current computer—this is what we refer to as the "Hot Desktop" concept.

The Linux PC is also called the Enterprise PC because we believe this affordable computer will greatly benefit enterprises. We are targeting 90% of the market, including enterprises, government, and education sectors. As for home users with gaming or high entertainment needs, they are not the target audience for the Linux PC.

Q: Sun emphasizes its support for Linux. How does Sun One support Linux? It seems that among Sun One's software stack, only the calendaring server currently supports Linux.

A: The fundamental goal of Sun One is to build an open environment where users are not required to use products exclusively from a single vendor. It is similar to the concept of hot-swapping: if something malfunctions, you can simply replace the component, making management easier and more cost-effective.

As for non-open platforms like SQL Server and Exchange, Linux-based software and devices can still connect to them through application programming interfaces (APIs).

Q: Sun One's biggest competitors are currently Microsoft and IBM, especially the latter, as IBM is involved in both Linux and J2EE. How will Sun make its efforts known to the market?

A: I think the only way is to strengthen marketing (laughs). When it comes to Linux, other companies may treat support for Linux as a slogan, aiming to rescue their own industries, but Sun will actually develop tangible products. As for .NET, Microsoft has done an excellent job with marketing, yet even today, it is still difficult to clearly define what .NET truly entails. In my opinion, .NET will be even harder to sell in China.

Linux Talent in High Demand: China's Demand to Exceed 1.2 Million Within Five Years

2002-10-24 18:25:00 Qianlong - Beijing Daily

The Linux operating system is quietly gaining popularity, and the demand for Linux talent is also rising. According to statistics, China's demand for Linux talent will exceed 1.2 million within five years after joining the World Trade Organization.

Due to Microsoft's influence in China, people have become accustomed to Windows icons and office software such as the Start menu, My Computer, Word, and Excel. Not only are people relatively unfamiliar with using the Linux operating system, but there is also a relative shortage of professional talent in this field.

Linux started relatively late in China and was initially applied only in sensitive and critical industries such as government, military, finance, telecommunications, and securities. As Linux is widely and successfully adopted across various industries, enterprises' demand for Linux talent will continue to grow. Currently, many major companies in the industry are increasingly eager for Linux professionals. A number of influential large companies, including IBM, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Inspur, have shown a tendency to rapidly expand their recruitment of Linux talent. The huge talent demand has made people feel the urgency to learn Linux and has also allowed some manufacturers to see business opportunities.

Two months ago, Instant Software initiated and organized the "Instant Free Software Education Alliance," a strategic alliance formed on the basis of voluntariness, equality, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance with government agencies, enterprises, and institutions focused on promoting, learning, and using ThizLinux software. Linux-related courses have been set up in vocational high schools and technical colleges to disseminate advanced Linux technology and cultivate outstanding software application and development talent. For resource sharing, the "Alliance" will conduct hierarchical certification training nationwide, planning to establish Instant Software Regional Management Centers (MCs) in 75 large and medium-sized cities across the country, with each regional management center housing no fewer than 5 Education Centers (ECs) to rapidly cultivate Linux operating system professionals. Currently, 5 MCs have been established.

Linux is free software; users can obtain it and its source code without paying any fees, modify it according to their needs, and continue to distribute it. It offers powerful performance and reliable stability, ensuring the stable operation of systems. Currently, the price of the Linux operating system is less than 100 yuan, while Windows source code is not open, and even versions bundled with整机 (entire machines) cost several hundred yuan.

Now, Linux, which was born 11 years ago, is being applied more and more widely. From desktops to servers, from operating systems to embedded systems, and from scattered applications to the initial formation of an entire industry, there is an urgent need for a large number of professionals in both Linux application development and embedded development. This issue has attracted the attention of insightful individuals in the industry.

Survey: 65% of Chinese Developers to Develop Linux Applications Next Year

2002-11-07 07:35:00 Nikkei BP News

On November 5 (local time in the United States), Evans Data Corporation released a survey result on the status of Linux development in China. The results showed that 65% of Chinese developers plan to develop Linux-oriented applications in 2003. As many as 44% of developers reported having experience in Linux application development.

The survey was conducted among over 1,000 Chinese software developers.

11% of developers plan to use Linux as the primary operating system for their development environment in 2003. Currently, 4% of developers already use Linux as their primary operating system.

Evans Data analyst Esther Schindler stated, "A large-scale operating system transition will unfold in China. This is because the government is working to promote the popularization of Linux. However, although the use of Windows has decreased compared to last year, not all developers are switching to Linux. Many developers will choose Java VM as their development environment. 10% of Chinese developers responded that they will select Java VM as the primary operating system for their development environment in 2003."

Other key survey results are as follows:

- 49% of respondents reported that their company's network and security were compromised last year. "Intrusion into enterprise databases" (33%) and "virus infections" (30%) were the most common incidents.

- 13% of respondents are developing 64-bit applications or migrating existing programs to 64-bit. In a survey conducted six months ago, this ratio was only 8%. As many as 48% of developers plan to fully develop 64-bit applications or migrate existing programs to 64-bit in 2003.

- Approximately 98% of Chinese developers have less than 10 years of work experience, with an average of less than 4 years.

Linux is Invading Desktops; Individual Users Are Also Taking a Liking to the Little Penguin

2002-11-25 10:33:00 Zhongguancun Online

Can the tiny Linux destroy the empire Microsoft has built in the desktop computer领域? The Linux operating system, marked by a penguin, has made remarkable progress in the enterprise user sector, but so far it has not been able to break into the desktop computer market.

Globally, 90% of desktop computers still run Microsoft's Windows operating system. For ordinary computer users, Linux is still considered too technically complex. However, this situation is changing, especially in some places outside the United States.

Government agencies in Europe, China, India, and South American countries have begun encouraging the use of Linux systems because they can reduce costs, avoid over-reliance on a single software vendor, and offer greater flexibility.

Linux is just part of the open-source software movement, which provides developers worldwide with the ability to access and modify source code.

Stacey Quandt, an analyst at Giga Information Group who tracks open-source and Linux software information, said, "Outside of North America, Microsoft's operating systems and applications are feeling threatened, and many governments are evaluating alternative methods to replace Microsoft products."

Outside the United States, some products pre-installed with Linux systems have begun to be sold.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has started selling PCs with Turbo Linux in China. It is also selling PCs pre-installed with Linux in German-speaking countries in Europe.

Judy Chavis, HP's global head of Linux, said, "HP's Linux initiative began two years ago with the launch of Linux-based servers, and this year HP has introduced Linux-based desktop computers."

Sun Microsystems also plans to sell Linux-based PCs, providing specialized Linux-based computer products to units such as banks, schools, government agencies, and call centers.

I once predicted: Linux will be the final winner, Windows will go into history, the future belongs to Linux. Although I have never used Linux, if I study software engineering, I will never learn the.NET architecture that follows Microsoft, I will choose others...

[ Last edited by xiaoyunwang on 2008-10-29 at 10:08 ]

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After more than ten years, the market share of a free operating system has always been hovering around 1%, can't that prove it's a very bad operating system?

Originally posted by egun at 2009-10-22 18:59:
For more than a decade, the market share of a free operating system has always hovered around 1%, can't that prove it's a very bad operating system?

Words can't be said like that. Actually, many things are very frustrating.

WIN has made everyone develop old habits, that's the root cause.

No translation needed as the text is in Chinese but the requirement is to translate from Chinese to English, but this text is already in Chinese. Wait, no, I made a mistake. Let's correct:

The original text is "无论Linux多么强大，windows在家庭PC中的占有率都不会输于Linux" which needs to be translated to English.

Translation: No matter how powerful Linux is, the market share of Windows in home PCs will not be inferior to that of Linux

Times are always progressing, just see who does better.

I really want to use LINUX, installed it several times, didn't figure it out, also didn't put in the effort. Resolved to study it.