Microsoft’s move to open its source code to governments worldwide is under the software vendor’s Government Security Program (GSP) launched in January, that provides governments the ability to review Windows source code and develop systems with higher level of security required for national security—for free.
But governments are not allowed to alter the codes or compile them into Windows programs themselves. GSP covers current versions, service packs, and beta releases of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows CE.
The Chinese government is one of the first to sign such an agreement with Microsoft, which is now in talks with over 30 countries, territories, and organisations about the program.
Taiwan has also signed up as part of a settlement deal inked with Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission, which had investigated whether Microsoft had abused its dominant position in the OS market to mark up prices for its software.
Though Windows remains the most widely used OS around the globe, it is increasingly threatened by open source software such as those built based on Linux.
Linux usage for the server-operating environment will grow by 24% year-on-year in 2003, while server-based Windows usage will go up by only 6%.
IDC’s research manager for infrastructure software, Andrew Chew, expects a shift in Microsoft’s pricing and product positioning in response.
Although the GSP could help rid Beijing of its worries over the security of Windows, that does not mean the company has cleared all the roadblocks in the Chinese market.
The high cost of Microsoft software is still an issue, said Gartner’s Shanghai-based analyst Louisa Liu. Worsening the problem is Microsoft’s frequent releases of new versions of its software, which means customers have to spend more, she added.
Lately, Microsoft has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Beijing Municipal Commission for Science & Technology and the Informatization Office of the Beijing Municipal Government.
The MoU covers future investment in Beijing, collaboration in areas such as e-government, software outsourcing, and training of software professionals.
Quelle: Asian Computer Weekly
