Russian deputes: Windows is a drug

Quoting: February 12, 2007, Mon 11:01 AM Moscow

Russian authorities talk much recently about alternative software to Microsoft products. As one St. Petersburg MP said, although Windows complies with all legal aspects, it is like a drug for education facilities and government organizations. In view of this special attention is given to Linux operating system. “Naturally education facilities must observe copyright legislation”, said Andrey Lovyagin, Chairman of the St Petersburg Legislative Assembly’s Education Committee. “This contributes to their fair and open activity. However they do not think much about the origin of software installed on the computer. This may lead to dramatic consequences, the case in the Perm region for example, and hamper uptake of IT-systems in Russian education facilities”.

Mr. Lovyagin said the Legislative Assembly had worked out a decree according to which the city education committee should buy computers with preinstalled Windows OS. “On the one hand we ensure legal software in computer classes, and on the other, we fully depend on Bill Gates’ corporation. I don’t think that is the best way to develop the country’s IT-sphere. Like a drug addict the education system gets used to Microsoft products and services. I find it more logical to independently develop out IT-sector using open operating systems”.

Linux Director Pavel Frolov thinks proprietary software used in government organizations cannot provide guarantee. “This software is produced abroad, so when we buy the product with a range of services and solutions, we support foreign producers. Besides, we do not know what the initial codes contain”, he said.

“Sooner or later we will come to realize that we need our own software”, said Oleg Sadov, Linux’s Technical Director. “And when we come to realize that we will face a choice: either to start at zero or continue developing it on the basis of the existing software, even if it is not so popular at the moment. I am very glad that the Economy Ministry and the Communications Ministry took interest in Linux systems. Now all we should do is make other people start using free software.

Novell’s Commercial Director Cyril Stepanov said he didn’t observe any anti-Russian sentiments in the American IT-sphere, despite the long-term cooperation in the field. However he mentioned the recent growing interest to open software. “There has been a growing interest to open OS in the last 3-4 years, under more of the Central Bank”, said Mr. Stepanov. He added that although open software is quite attractive it is not likely to be widely used.

“Many understand how important it is to use open software”, Sun Microsystems’ staff member Philip Torchinsky said. “For example Russia’s leading search engines, Yandex and Rambler do not use Windows. But I think each has its advantages. That is why Windows is good for multimedia companies and Linux for government organizations and education facilities. Open OS license is far easier to regulate”. Mr. Torchinsky said the main disadvantage of open OS is the lack of specialists in the field.

However, the problem will be solved soon. Galina Kozhanina, teacher of St Petersburg Technical College of Management and Commerce said virtual lessons will be given on the basis of open software. The first lesson took place not long ago with the participation of a teacher from St Petersburg, and three students, from Alma-Ata, Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk.