begin risky.vbs
<opmba3-vqo.ln1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Mark Kent <mark.kent@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
> begin oe_protect.scr
> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>>
>> "China has long been seen as a fertile ground for Linux and other
>> open source software. In a country where more than 90% of software
>> in use is pirated, it seems like a natural fit."
>
> I wonder where these figures get pulled from.
A few years ago we had a young Chinese couple stay with us for a few
days while they searched for an apartment to rent. The guy was here to
study for a CS Masters degree. When he saw that I was 'into' computers
he asked me if I wanted any of the SW he had? He produced a thick
wallet of CD's (about 50).
All for windows. Everything from several windows versions, Office,
photoshop, etc all with activation codes. None of it was of any use to
me of course but I did ask what he payed for them. About $1 each. He
told me that next to no one (home users, businesses, government
departments) bought official versions or if they did they bought one
and installed it on all their machines.
His CD's all looked authentic but having worked in Asia I know they
have the ability to copy anything and make it next to impossible to
differentiate from an original.
I would say 90% was a realistic number. Of course with China joining
the WTO they are obliged to fight SW piracy. This no doubt partially
explains their push for OSS. Another reason is their lack of trust in
a company that maintains an illegal monopoly that is based in a
country where the government is paranoid about any state of a leftist
nature.
|
|
