Russian Linux plans are foiled
RUSSIA'S PLANS to run the open sauce operating system Linux have been thwarted by incompetence and the slippery actions of Microsoft.
The former communist state apparently had a cunning plan to use the free operating system in schools to save a ruble or two.
However according to the Russian press the chap in charge of the programme, Alexei Kuzovkin, believes that the program that supplies Linux to schools is in jeopardy.
He said that part of the problem is that the schools are not getting the cash to upgrade. From the beginning of the year funding for the project was pared down three times.
Disks that were sent out to schools were faulty and producers of the software appear to have difficulty supplying the schools with simple software that meets their needs. Resources to train teachers on Linux, after they were used to Windows, also appear to be lacking.
The feeling in government is that while the software is a lot cheaper, it is still costing them too much in training.
Meanwhile Microsoft has been lobbying hard by offering cut-price versions of its software. One school was offered $30 per machine.
Systems integrator 'Compulink' supplied 60,000 Russian schools with a package that includes as an operating system Windows XP, plus Microsoft Office, the dictionary Abbyy Lingvo 12, anti-virus software Kaspersky Work Space Security, Adobe Photoshop CS3 and more.
What appears to be the problem is that the Linux project has been doomed by government agency incompetence and a software supplier that has been unable to get it out and get people trained.
Meanwhile the Vole just pours itself into the vacuum with a slickness that is lacking from the home grown Russian agencies. µ
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Even commies and socialists can't figure out how to make "everyman's" software work for them.
is MS certified ....
Always amazes me that some people can set up Linux networks using an install CD (for free) and yet contractors,politicians and other trained monkeys cant.
"Always amazes me that some people can set up Linux networks using an install CD (for free) and yet contractors,politicians and other trained monkeys cant."
= You mean folks like Bobster? There's lots of those around!
Linux isn't for everyone...And I'm glad it isn't! Let Microsoft and Apple deal with the "Bobsters of the world". Because they should be thoroughly profited from!...Let industries like the computer security folks exploit the lack of knowledge of those groups with endless subscription fees and AV solutions! (Which really don't do anything when it comes to system exploits).
...But they don't know that, do they? As long as they "feel safe", that's good enough to profit from them! Go Symantec! Kaspersky! Eset! AVG! And hundreds of other security solution providers! "Profit!" I say. "Profit!" from the ignorant and arrogant.
Linux is not an OS its a kernel.
There are many Linux based OS's commonly referred to as distributions. Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE, etc...
"Linux is not an OS its (sic) a kernel."
A lot of users I know call "wallpaper" their "screensaver." I don't feel the need to correct them. Most people understand that "Linux" represents an open source operating system. Is "Windows" a kernel too?
Give it a rest already.
Windows (TM) is just a GUI for MS-DOS :)
Actually Russians surprise me in one way ...
I was born in Russia (very long time ago) and it seems that they insist to choose the most inappropriate people to do the work so the project fails and then they can "choose" the other, more expensive option.
I do smell money behind this failure. (surprise is that i thought they changed).
Now, let's see ... 30$ just for OS for some millions of students ... let's say hundreds of thousands of computers ... With such amount of money, you can develop a lot of things. And what you actually have to do is to assemble a puzzle :)
... it's compatible ... and will do for the next 15 years once it becomes available in a version 1.x and matches Win XP.
That would save a ruble or two or many even more.
If they ever manage to finish it.
Hey n0nsense, I'm also russian. Do you remember this old anecdote?
Japanese visited Russia and came to the most advanced computer center. At the end of visit russians asked them how they liked everything they saw. "Well, definitely you have really great kids in Russia. Everything else what your hands do is just terrible"
There was always something wrong in relationships with computers there. Country must know their heroes: I remember how Russian academy of sciences tried to make their own Russian DOS in 1984. They failed.
Hopefully they will make ReactOS 25 years later usable at least for cellphones
schools are supplied with this:
ftp://ftp.linux.armd.ru/junior/
This is recompilation of ALTLinux distro:
http://www.altlinux.com/en/products/for-work-station/desktop/
Company granted 30 million roubles (that's is roughly $1 million) for adaptation for schools.
CDs were sent to schools without installation instructions, without any info on what to do, etc.
Basically, support is not provided at all.
Number of teachers capable of installing THIS without interfering with teaching process are close to zero.
There was a testing at some schools, but technical plans for massive rollout wasn't developed. It was a political decision without technical capability.
and I'm sorry for my bad english.
If they don't have hardware good enough to run linux, HOW ON EARTH IS GONNA RUN WINDOWS!!??
By the way, the antivirus licence is for a time period. After that they will have to pay, and it's not cheap.
actually react OS is doing really well. they are almost ready for beta status.
If only tinykrnel was still around to help out.
Re: "...it seems that they insist to choose the most inappropriate people to do the work so the project fails and then they can "choose" the other, more expensive option."
In the USofA they'd be of the liberal/Democrat persuasion.