| Chinese Linux spreading fast from its Finnish roots |
|
| Wednesday,May 28,2008 Posted: 19:23 BJT(23 GMT) |
| From:digitoday.com Article type:Reproduced |
Finnish open source code will become a compulsory subject in 1000 universities.
Linux, the open source code first developed by Finnish software engineer Linus Torvalds, is playing a major role in the development of China’s IT sector – and in the country’s rapid industrial development as a whole. Researcher, investor and open source code promoter Mikko Puhakka believes that Linux has established a good foundation for Finnish-Chinese cooperation.
The roots of the Chinese open source code are in Finland. Professor Gong Min started using and developing Linux when he was doing his Ph.D research at the Helsinki University of Technology in the early 1990s. Returning to China in 1996, Professor Gong Min took Linux with him on 20 floppy disks. This is seen as the birth of Chinese open source code development and Professor Gong Min is now among the 20 most influential people in China.
The first Linux server was started in May 1997 in Chang Zhou. Its domain name was cLinux.ml.org. Today Linux is a compulsory subject in 300 universities, which will increase to 1000 universities by the end of this year. According to Puhakka, the Chinese view open source code as a critical factor in the country’s development. He has been travelling regularly to China in the past few years to organize conferences and intensive training.
“China sees open software as a solution to the problems created by piracy. The country is getting more and more involved in international projects and is a member of WTO. Its tolerance for software piracy is slowing down its international development,” says Puhakka.
Source: digitoday.com
|
Bilateral Visits