There's a news release in Heise Newsticker today (German BabelEnglish) about certain decisions being made in Japan, China, and Korea. There are also links in the article to organizations within these countries specifically devoted to promotion of domestic software development industries; all of the sites are in English. Here is an excerpt from the Chinese site:

"Information Office of the State Council recently announced the Action Plan for developing vigorously the software industry of China. According to the Action Plan, in the three years to come, the annual sales value of software industry of China shall reach 250 billion yuan, the domestic market share of homemade software products and services shall reach 60%, the value of exports shall reach USD5 billion and the number of software talents shall reach 800,000. It is reported that related departments of the State Council will soon formulate related policies to concretely implement the Action Plan."

The Heise article notes that in particular, the countries are interested in replacing the Windows operating system with Linux and FLOSS solutions. If you take the time to read about what's going on, you will notice that these countries are not just promoting Linux and FLOSS by printing glossy posters; they are formulating complete strategies which include development, tax incentives, education, and even details like hardware certification programs.

What's this all about? Is it just saving money and increasing security? Certainly that's a big part of the picture. But even in the shorter term, if you live in one of the more developed countries, it may affect you more directly. As this Asia Times article points out, it's about jobs. Please read this article! Here are some excerpts:

"The impact on American and European society is inevitably going to be far more profound than almost anyone understands today. "

"Ironically, many of the disappearing jobs owe their departure to H Ross Perot, the failed US presidential candidate whose 'giant sucking sound' quote started this article and which continues to reverberate across the United States today.

"The five biggest outsourcing consulting companies in the US today are in Dallas, Texas. Asked why, Marc Liebman of Everest said, "Because Ross Perot was here." Perot, first with his company EDS and later with Perot Systems Corp, pioneered data transfer and became a worldwide provider of outsourced IT services."

Is it worth taking some time to think about how these things will affect you during your own lifetime? If you think it might be, and you're still not using Linux, invest $200 in an older system and start learning what's going on. Even here in Costa Rica, I can get a Dell with a 17" monitor and a warrantee for less than this amount. Then get Linux (my personal favorite for home or office use is SuSE), buy or download some books, and you will begin to experience and learn about the future of computing.

Willy Smith reporting from Costa Rica