Russian government is looking to dump Microsoft for homegrown software
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Linux is certainly the obvious solution. Some organizations in Germany (e.g. the city of Munich) have migrated to Linux. But that is not an easy task. It took them a few years and a lot of money to become fully operational under Linux.
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That was one I remember, China was another.. I think...
That was a few years ago also.
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Speaking as someone who served in BAOR Germany during the Cold War, (2 separate postings between 1968 and 1976) I can support the point of view that the Russians are indeed very efficient at reverse-engineering. Without saying where I was or what I did, I can only say that the Western borders were porous in both directions. A pair of Levis, for example, would help to provide some simple information. Large amounts of Western goods could provide much more.
However, it worked both ways. NATO service personnel were often offered large sums (usually in US Dollars) to provide information or materiel. This was how Russian scientists and technologists, were able to obtain items that they became expert at reverse-engineering, not just copying. It became a game to both sides: sometimes western "doubles" used this system to supply stuff that simply would not work, but the work of proving that was expected to send the scientists/technologists into 'blind alleys'. Remember that, just because someone is born on the other side of a border, it does not mean that they have a lower collective or average IQ! And a totalitarian regime has the power to pressure people.
It's still happening. Both before and during the Iraq wars, certain European governments, NATO members, were selling military grade materials to Saddam's regime. Recently the French have seen fit to sell helicopter carriers to Russia.
I will not discuss the relative merits or demerits of any governments' actions, but I will say that I supported the opposition of my own MP, Sir Peter Tapsell, who wants to impeach Tony Blair as a War Criminal. However, I fully support our service personnel, sent to Iraq by the lies of an unscrupulous politician.
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Or maybe this is just a bunch of Russian propaganda? Ignore it. :)
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Hi there
Actually let's step back from all this -- We presumably are all TAX payers in whatever jurisdiction we happen to live in -- OK there are Russian Oligarchs - but there are also American Billionaires too. Both countries also have a huge number of ordinary taxpayers.
If the Russian State wants to stop using Ms software - and it can find an alternative -- shouldn't that save the Russian Taxpayers a bundle of money - whatever the initial motives are for the decision.
Look at the UK where they've spent an absolute FORTUNE on failed I.T systems -- just recently the N.H.S system in the UK (apart from the humungous cost of running that particular system) has tossed 10 Billion STERLING (approx 17 Billion US Dollars !!!!) straight down the drain -- Gone - vanished into rich off shore consultancies pockets without a single penny /cent being paid in compensation and the country is left with a totally almost dysfunctional system (or hodgepodge of multiple systems).
Abandoned NHS IT system has cost £10bn so far | Society | The Guardian
I'm sure the UK isn't the only place where "Public Sector" equates totally to WASTE and Inefficiency -- I believe the US military have been known to pay over 400 USD for things like TOILET SEATS and every country I'm sure has a similar sorry saga to relate.
If I were a Russian taxpayer I'd rejoice at this considering the number of employees still working in the public sector.
Even in a small country like ours we've had problems -- Banks come to mind here as people in the UK and the Netherlands will know only too well -- especially the ICESAVE scandal -- at least though those people are in Jail and not swanning around with huge pay outs and obscene size pensions.
Cheers
jimbo
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Unknowns
Linux is certainly the obvious solution. Some organizations in Germany (e.g.
the city of Munich) have migrated to Linux. But that is not an easy task. It took them a few years and a lot of money to become fully operational under Linux.
I suspect that it could take some time.
However, we don't know how much of their "infrastructure" they'd have to replace.
They may already be using Linux on most of their servers.
Linux Distros (desktop) may have a higher market share than in the US.
Also, if you were a Russian cyber-criminal, would you use the same OS that you write malware for, on your own systems? 
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Linux is certainly the obvious solution. Some organizations in Germany (e.g.
the city of Munich) have migrated to Linux. But that is not an easy task. It took them a few years and a lot of money to become fully operational under Linux.
I suspect that it could take some time.
However, we don't know how much of their "infrastructure" they'd have to replace.
They may already be using Linux on most of their servers.
Linux Distros (desktop) may have a higher market share than in the US.
Also, if you were a Russian cyber-criminal, would you use the same OS that you write malware for, on your own systems?
Hi there
@lehnerus2000
I think the aussies have a much more direct way of saying that - at least they don't speak in riddles.
Don't p*** in your own patch. !!
I think (at least the Russians I know) they are much more interested in doing stuff that MAKES them money rather than simply spend time on schoolboy pranks like writing a bit of easily removable even if annoying malware.
As for Cyber crime -- When it comes to things like Barclays Bank ("Sharkleys" --aka Loan sharking, forex manipulations, Interest rate fixing etc), Santander ("Satan's Bank"), H.S.B.C ("Hideousely Swindling Banking Corporation") Money Laundering etc etc and the general failure of their I.T systems in general and total lack of disregard for their customers both in the useless Call centres as well as leaving people stranded unable to use their cards or get money out of ATM's at all sorts of random times inconveniencing them at Gas stations, airports, supermarkets, hotels etc I don't think we need worry too much about the Russian Cyber criminals -- the Banks have done it all for them already themselves.
Cheers
jimbo
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Hi there
in the UK not ONE person has gone to jail over this sort of stuff in spite of the long suffering taxpayer bailing out these institutions to the tune of TRILLIONS of pounds STERLING !!! (1 GBP I think currently is around 1.28 EUR or 1.69 USD).
In the USA at least the top people if they are guilty of Fraud are even taken away from their posh Wall st offices in HANDCUFF's and the FBI means business-- we've a few ex bankers in jail too but I believe in the UK "The Establishment" together with their friends in the various Lodges keeps them all safe.
Federal Jails in the USA are no "Holiday Camp" either - unfortunately Jail in Iceland isn't as bad as it might sound but even so I'd still not be there. !!!
Cheers
jimbo
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