Sep 5, 4:05 PM EDT
Nations to Develop
Non-Windows Software
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan, China and South Korea have agreed to
cooperate in a project to boost research and development of
software for operating systems other than industry leader
Microsoft Corp.'s Windows, a Japanese trade ministry official
said Friday.
The project, proposed by Japan's Trade Minister Takeo
Hiranuma at a conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Wednesday,
is intended to bolster the popularity of Windows' rivals, such
as Linux, and boost their share in such markets as digital
cameras, mobile phones and car navigation systems.
"The idea is to get existing non-Windows operating systems,
such as Linux, to be more broadly used, rather than developing
a totally new operating system," said ministry official
Takashi Kume.
Kume said development of non-Windows based software that is
not Windows compatible would provide users a broader range of
software and allow manufacturers a wider choice of platforms
in developing electronics and information devices.
The Japanese government has already earmarked 1 billion yen
($85.5 million) yen for the project and plans to back an
open-source software forum to be set up by major Japanese
electronics companies such as Hitachi, Matsushita, NEC and
Fujitsu.
The three countries will hold talks in mid-September to
discuss further details of the project, Kume said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
