Linux 'needs to be backed, not dumped'
By Li Weitao (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-08 10:46

The Chinese Government should stick to its policy of strongly supporting open-source software to build a robust domestic industry, an industry veteran has said.

"Open-source software provides a big opportunity for China to develop its fledgling software industry," said Lu Shouqun, president of the China Open Source Software Promotion Union.

Lu, also a former senior government official, was responding to a report released by the China Software Industry Association (CSIA) late last month which called for the government to review its preference for open-source software.

The government's "excessive preference" for the open-source Linux platform is harming the domestic software industry and Linux's business model is flawed as the low, or no, charge is thwarting the profitability of Linux developers, the CSIA said in the report.

In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Lu said the government should continue to help develop a "high-quality and low-cost" operating system to offer users a choice besides Windows to reduce reliance on Microsoft.

Many governments and enterprises including many organizations in the United States are showing increasing interest in the Linux platform and China should not miss the boat, said Lu.

Citing an executive at Microsoft headquarters, Lu said Linux and Windows should co-exist.

Microsoft in recent years has been struggling with an increasing number of security flaws on its Windows platforms while Linux is generally regarded as more secure.

"For users, openness increases the trustworthiness," said Lu.

Open-source software, because it is either free or costs little, would find favour with small- and medium-sized enterprises which could help break the monopoly of commercial software.

"The free, or low-charge, Linux scheme should be continued with and even expanded to spur its uptake," Lu said.

Linux developers can profit from value-added services provided to users and the business model is mature, he added.

Open-source software adopts the General Public Licence (GPL) scheme, under which developers only charge users for the costs and services of the software, instead of licensing fees.

CSIA said the GPL scheme is thwarting the profitability of Linux developers but "GPL is not the only rule in the Linux market. Many people have misunderstandings about Linux's business models," said Lu.

"Linux developers can generate revenues from many ways."

Lu acknowledged that China's Linux industry is highly fragmented and most companies are small and unprofitable.

"An industry alliance needs to be formed to boost the industry and profitability," he said.

"An international collaboration is also essential to the success of Linux. Besides, Linux developers need to seek support from major domestic users."

The CSIA has also warned that Linux developers are facing increasing risks of patent lawsuits, which could potentially snuff out Linux.

Lu said the Linux community has launched some initiatives to prevent such risks.

"Compared to open-source software, commercial software faces many more patent-related risks," he said.

The biggest bottleneck for the development of Linux in China is the lack of a Linux community, Lu noted.

Globally, Linux fans and engineers work in communities to develop, modify and test Linux-based products and come up with innovative solutions.

In China, only enterprises are working on Linux development "in a relatively closed environment."

If China manages to set up a Linux community, it could take advantage of the talents and resources of the global community to better develop and promote Linux and foster top-notch software developers, Lu said.

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