Home » Economy, Europe » Putin orders Microsoft off of all Russian government computers

Putin orders Microsoft off of all Russian government computers

Posted by EU Times on Dec 29th, 2010 // No Comment

kremlin wc

Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, has issued a decree calling for Microsoft to be taken off all government computers and replaced by Linux.

While weirdie beardie open saucers will be cheering, it is worthwhile to point out that Putin is jolly cross with Microsoft at the moment.

For a while he had a cracking good method of dealing with people who didn’t like him much.

Coppers would appear on the doorstep of foreign NGOs or dissident organisations and say that they believed that computers in the organisation were using pirated Microsoft software. To make sure everything was pirated, the coppers would take all the computer gear out of an organisation and make it unable to function.

Microsoft was not aware of the crackdown and when it found out it was furious. What it did was give such groups free licences which meant that Putin’s coppers were powerless to nick the computer gear.

No one is arguing that given the extreme budget problems in Russia, Linux would be the best way forward. However the timing of Putin’s announcement sends a message to foreign companies that unless they toe the line, they will lose government contracts in what is a huge market.

The introduction of Linux in government should begin in the second quarter of 2012. It will mean that every government post in the Russian Federation will be forbidden to hire staff or allocate cash unless they use free software.

There have been many moves within Russia to attempt to get Open Sauce software accepted. But they have generally fallen flat on their face. With Putin’s backing it seems to now be a certainty, unless of course he changes his mind. All it would take is Steve Ballmer on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness and promising never to make Putin cross again.

Source

Please wait...

Read More Stories About: Computers, Linux, Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Moscow, Russia, Russian Government, Vladimir Putin

Did you like this information? Then please consider making a donation or subscribing to our Newsletter.

« Previous

If Obama could put America's own real interests first

U.N. Group Using Obama’s Family to Make Claims About Anti-Hunger Algae

Conversation Guidelines

Starting a conversation on our website is very easy, all you need to do is to write your name, email and the comment itself. No account is required to leave a comment. Your email won't be used for any purpose whatsoever, if you want, you can even write a fictitious email. Please keep it civil, try to refrain from slurs and insults. We offer Free Speech rights to our comment section but please take note that the comment section is moderated so certain comments may be held for moderation in case they triggered our automatic filters. If your comment is on hold for moderation and you can't see it anywhere there is no need to repost it. Don't worry, it doesn't mean it won't get approved. Please patiently wait and check back later.