Russian Schools Figure Linux Is Less Likely To Send Them To Siberia; Look To Ditch Windows
from the oops dept
Earlier this week, we wrote about how Mikhail Gorbachev was publicly asking Microsoft to drop charges against a school head teacher who was arrested and faces Siberian imprisonment for purchasing computers for his school that apparently had pirated copies of Windows. Microsoft responded saying that they wouldn't do anything, and it was all up to the police. We pointed out how short-sighted this was, especially considering that schools are where many students first get hooked on software like Windows -- which they'll later buy. However, the decision is looking even worse now. Yehuda Berlinger writes in to point out that Russian schools are now looking to drop Windows and switch to Linux simply to avoid facing the same Siberian imprisonment -- since they don't know if the computers they buy have legitimate copies of Windows or counterfeit ones. It's difficult to see how this is anything but harmful to Microsoft.
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Is the news reliable?
http://english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/07-02-2007/87167-alien_monster-0
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Re: Is the news reliable?
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http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=32715
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From what I know of Russia, it would be difficult and expensive to purchase a legitimate version of Windows. While it's true that Microsoft could stand to lose Windows-users through their actions, unless the situation changes those users would not have bought legitimate copies anyways. On the other hand, it doesn't look like suing a teacher is winning them any customers either.
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Re: Re: Re: Is the news reliable?
Yes. Not much different to the NY Times. Except the Times weighs 18 kilograms.
How do we know that the article about schools not buying windows is not just another piece of tabloid trash?
Because they didn´t eat it after they caught it.
Does anyone seriously get "sent to Siberia" for buying pirated copies of windows?
Yes. They are all little bit screwy in the head, ask ze Germans, also have you seen their newspapers?!
Are any legitimate copies of Windows available in russia?
No.
Okay, now my turn:
Why do you think they ate the alien sea slug? Were they hungry?
Tired of eating toiletpaper maybe?
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Re: Is the news reliable?
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Re: Re: Is the news reliable?
You have got to be kidding me! Try receiving a file from Russia without a virus, a trojan or some other freshly cooked monstrosity come with it. In the 10 years that I've seen people work with Russia from US, the amount of infected files has not decreased a single iota. Part of the problem is the pirated software that often does not support updates and just as often comes preloaded with its own lovely bouquet of malware.
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Of course this is good for Microsoft...
The more Microsoft damages its desirability, the more desirable alternative products will be. Then these alternatives will be used more, there will then be better competition, and everyone will benefit. INCLUDING MICROSOFT. Especially since they could theoreticaly break their own monopoly, and shrug off those pesky monopoly sanctions and restrictions.
Granted, the stock price will tank considerably, but people everywhere will actually appreciate their newfound ability to innovate. After drastic restructuring that is.
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Now millions of Russian kids will learn Linux in s
Competition good - monopoly bad.
Go get 'em, comrades.
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Seriously, this is nothing more than a sensational, tabloid-destined article. I don't expect Russian officials would make public pleas unless they are doing it for publicity. And I applaud Microsoft for not giving in to publicity stunts. What would come next, free Windows for Russians? If consumers in Russia are truly getting screwed with illegitimate copies of software on retail shelves, then there is a larger problem of consumer protection that needs to be addressed IN RUSSIA.
"Sending teachers to Siberia" is a sensationalist concept.
For the record, I am a supporter of open source and applaud the strides that are being made in versions of consumer-friendly Linux-based operating systems.
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MS vista
Microsoft doesn't have to worry about the Russian police or open source puting it out of business - it will do that all on it's own.
My next desktop will be an Apple
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Re: MS vista
*posted from a mac
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Back on topic, does nayone have a report from a reliable source on this. THe BBC has not picked up on it, and they have done a fairly through coverage of this whole business. OTOH, if you can get jailed for running (not intalling) pirated windows, then Linux does look like a good idea. Even if it is harder for you to use, if it keeps you out of jail it is not a bad chice.
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Done some research
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what I want
Compatibility: I know that not all programs will run like they're supposed to, but....Theres usually only ONE mainstream windows distro kicking around in public. Until Vista catches on, it's XP. Linux on the other hand has major problems in this regard as sometimes what will work on one distro won't work in another. Proof of this: I recently upgraded from FC 5 to FC 6. FC 5 had the IFUP terminal command. This function no longer works in FC 6. I'm not even sure what the IP commands are in FC 6. Further, Gnome & KDE, which IMHO are both decent but nothing to write home about, both have different Dev Suites and a lot of things found in one are not in the other. Then you get into things like RPM's, DEB's, and so on and so forth. I know you can get the source in a tarbell, but still sometimes it just isn't available.
Also, I want only what I want (Yes that makes sense) when I install windows. Hell Linux allows you to install nothing more than a command line for the OS Interface. (Granted the gui's provide MUCH more Eye candy...(beryl)). Hell, I'd like a *nix style terminal.
Customization. I've seen a linux box that had circular "windows" running for the gui. I like that. I learned how to do it. Windows won't allow that.
Security. One word. Selinux.
Things I want in linux:
Compatibility, I want one maybe two Mainstream distros. I want the software that I write on one linux box to work on ALL linux boxes.
Gaming: Real Honest to god gaming. I want WoW, I want C&C and I don't want to have to run Wine.
Better Office Suites: I gave up on using my *nix box as an office box. I hated every office suite I came across. M$ Office is better, albeit not perfect, but it is better.
Just a little more user-friendliness. I lost power and my linux box died. Just died. I can't even boot to it anymore because the FS is now stuck in Write Protect mode with no way for me to get it out.
And things I want from Techdirt:
Are there now TWO dorpusi running around? (I think that's how you would pluralize dorpus)
All in all, And this sorta ties it all together and brings it back on track, I think that IF Russia is in fact going to start using Linux on the school computers it will do a few things.
1) Force Microsoft to compete for a change rather than ruling the roost as it were.
2) Bring User Friendliness to *Nix, failing that, it will bring the average skill of computer users up as these kids will learn *nix and then teach their kids etc etc etc.
3) Bring more things to development on *Nix. Better Drivers, better Games, better Gui's etc etc etc.
4) Level the playing field. As noted above. Linux will strive to beat windows, and vice versa.
That's my 2-4 cents.
Rstr
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