Asian alliance to develop open source software

FAR EASTERN NEWS SOURCES are reporting the emergence of an anti-Microsoft alliance to develop open source alternatives to the monopolist's offerings.

Organisations in Japan, Korea and China have begun collaboration on the project NE Asia Online reports. It says the Japan Information Technology Services Industry Association (JISA) and the Chinese Software Industry Association (CSIA) are pooling resources under the instigation of the Federation of Korean Information Industries (FKII).

The alliance will cooperate to develop open-source software and seek to promote Linux to government agencies and private businesses. The Korean and Chinese governments have pledged financial support for the project, the website reports.

Officials from the three organizations have thrashed out the structure in a number of meetings over recent months and plan to hold an international symposium on open source software in Phuket, Thailand this month. Developers from a number of Asian countries are expected to attend.

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is contributing funding for the symposium. µ