Microsoft's Windows still dominates but Linux emerging as threat in India

NEW DELHI (AFP) Aug 19, 2003
Microsoft's Windows is still the dominant software operating system for computer users in India but Linux is fast emerging as a threat to the US giant, an industry expert said Tuesday.

Warren C. Pratt, chief operating officer of the California-based tech solutions provider Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), said low-cost Linux has generated its own buzz among India's scientific and defence circles.

"Technical, scientific and defence research departments in India are gradually opting to use Linux software," said Pratt.

"In India, I see great scope for Linux to move forward rapidly, given that India has one of the largest Linux communities as well as the world's second largest scientific pool of manpower.

"This is further boosted by the fact that the government of India is encouraging the adoption of open source solutions for the country."

Linux, developed by Finnish computer scientist Linus Torvalds and upgraded nearly continuously by volunteer programmers worldwide, is a free operating system based on Unix.

Pratt said Linux open-source software was ideal for India, as it had more willing computer users than computers.

"Linux has caught on here because it brings costs down. When you pick up the latest version of Windows you often need to buy a new computer with more memory and speed," said Prasad V. Medury, who looks after SGI's Indian operations.

"With Linux you cannot be held for ransom. It is ideal for businesses and a government looking to cut growing IT-driven costs."

A Windows package from Microsoft to operate a personal computer (PC) costs roughly 150 dollars. Red Hat Inc, which distributes Linux software in India, claims it charges PC users a tenth of the Microsoft fee.

Technology research firm International Data Corp. said a poll of users in 12 regional economies showed 90 percent used Windows for their desktops and mobile computers. More than 50 percent of servers used Windows compared to just six percent for Linux.

But Linux adoption in the server-operating market is predicted to grow at a faster rate than Windows.

While Linux use is expected to increase 24 percent in 2003, the use of Windows among server users is only projected to grow by six percent and Unix usage by nine percent.

The 12 economies polled were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Linux already drives India's largest automobile company Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), the National Stock Exchange and the Council of Science Research.

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