China Plans to Replace All Windows Machines with Linux Rigs by 2020

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

It's a "de-Windowsifying movement"

Most of the mainstream angst directed towards Windows 8 and 8.1 in the U.S. has to do with the Modern UI and little things like the lack of a Start menu. But while hopes are high that Windows 10 will be the OS everyone wanted Windows 8 to be, China's concerns run much deeper than the UI. As such, China reportedly plans to undergo a "de-Windowsifying" process in which its systems will be move to a state-endorsed version of Linux by 2020.
"We call this a de-Windowsifying movement," Computer Science Professor Ni Guangnan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering told Ecns.cn.
The 75-year-old professor went on to discuss his plans to bring together China's homegrown OS developers in an alliance to replace Windows within the next few years.
"Now is the most vulnerable time for Microsoft in China, and the best time for homegrown software companies to beat it," Ni added.
So far the effort has the support of 15 OS developers. None of them can take on Windows by going at it alone, but China's hope is that by pooling their talent and resources, they can rid the country's reliance on Microsoft's OS. It's also worth noting that China recently banned the use of Windows 8 on all government PCs due to spying concerns.
"At the end of the day, I expect the 15 operating systems to merge into one or two operating systems, while the rest of the developers can shift into providing other relevant services," Ni said.
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