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SCMP Reporter

A Microsoft official has dismissed the Hong Kong government's support for open-source software (OSS) as just a 'side show'.

The comment comes after the Secretary of Commerce, Industry and Technology, Henry Tang Ying-yen, earlier this month in the Legislative Council, indicated the administration's support for OSS.

'It is government established policy to adopt, as far as possible, software product of open standard as supporting platform for application system,' Mr Tang said.

'OSS technology is conducive to the development of the software market . . . We have formulated policies and issued guidelines to encourage and assist government departments to adopt OSS. This will also set an example for the private sector to follow so as to drive the adoption of OSS in Hong Kong.'

OSS such as the Linux operating system and Java programming language can be used and modified for free.

However, Microsoft Hong Kong managing director Mark Phibbs said the government's support of OSS would not affect its relationship with Microsoft.

'We are still a key-partner with Hong Kong information technology development,' he said.

The impact of OSS in Hong Kong had been greatly over-estimated.

'All this discussion [of OSS] is just a side show,' he said. 'By 'side show' I mean it [OSS] is not a big issue in Hong Kong, it may be an issue elsewhere. If the Hong Kong government considers the total cost of ownership [TCO], Microsoft would be the only choice.'

TCO is Microsoft's latest contentious line of defence against the rising tide of OSS.

Microsoft said the cost of licensing was only a small part of owning an operating system. It claimed OSS, where the code is free, might end up costing more than Microsoft if all the running costs, including security, compatibility and maintenance, were taken into consideration.

'I don't think the Hong Kong government is facing a dilemma [in choosing OSS over Microsoft's operating system] . . . but I doubt the government wants to do that,' Mr Phibbs said.

Microsoft and the Hong Kong government were in close partnership to develop a number of e-initiatives to increase the government's efficiency. Plans included a system that could reduce the procedure of updating personal information, such as changes of address.

According to the Information Technology Services Department more than 290 systems in about 30 government departments have been using OSS products.

Governments in Asia have been increasingly switching to, and considering a switch to, computer systems other than Microsoft Windows.

The motivation comes from concerns about rising costs and security from over-reliance on Microsoft's software.

Last week, the Japanese government announced it would study the possibility of using open-source software such as Linux.

The Public Management Ministry is earmarking 50 million yen (about HK$3.17 million) for a panel of scholars and computer specialists, including Microsoft officials, to finish the study by March 2004.

Japan lags the United States, Germany and the mainland in the use of OSS at the government level.



Software giant feels secure in role as government's key IT partner