South Korea Steps Up Linux Use in Public Sector

South Korea Steps Up Linux Use in Public Sector

Asia Pulse
03/28/05 8:18 AM PT
Source

Last year, the Ministry of Information and Communication in South Korea encouraged eight government agencies to adopt the Linux operating system and it is now gaining traction, the ministry said in a statement.

South Korea said today it will launch a government-wide promotion to increase the free use of the Linux operating system in the public sector, a move what analysts say could reduce the dominance of Microsoft's Windows.

The Ministry of Information and Communication said it will provide a total of 3 billion won (US$2.95 million) for government agencies which want to use the Linux and other open-source computer programs this year.
Gaining Tracting

Last year, the ministry encouraged eight government agencies to adopt the Linux operating system and it is now gaining traction, the ministry said in a statement.

"We're seeing a lot of organizations who are very interested in open-source software," an official at the ministry said on the customary condition of anonymity.
Heavy Use

Unlike most commercial software, the underlying code in open-source software is free and benefits from continual scrutiny and improvements made by a community of programmers.

Proponents say that makes Linux more stable and secure than, for example, Microsoft products -- a claim Microsoft disputes.

South Korea leads the rest of the world in terms of broadband Latest News about Broadband Internet penetration with more than seven of 10 households having access.



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