Taiwanese bodies in major Linux push

TAIWANESE GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS, as well as its industrial and academic organisations, have recently started a plan, which will help the island's industries using Linux software to turn out up to an NT$110 billion revenue in three years. The goal includes getting software companies using Linux to generate an NT$10 billion revenue, and the hardware industry to gain an NT$100 billion revenue.

Additionally, the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan and the Institute for Information Industry have both got involved in R&D for Linux programs. The III, according to the Taiwan Economic News reckons the Linux market will grow to $4 billion USD worldwide in 2008, and will have an annual growth rate of 58% over the next five years.

The Taipei Computer Association, which is apparently the coordinator of the Linux project, has pointed out that the project will be focusing on "talent cultivation" this year, and is hoping to "nurture 5,000 talents throughout this year," reports the Taiwan Economic News.

A lot of support has been rallied for the project from Taiwan's software and hardware suppliers. The Taipei Computer Association has suggested to Taiwan's government organisations that they adopt Linux. µ