China Bans Windows 8 From Government Computers

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Speaking as a German, I can only say that I wish that our government would do this too. I don't see this happening any time soon though, since they'd have to remove themselves from the arse of the US government first.
Software from American companies should not be used on government computers, period.

Well, you'll be glad to hear that several years ago, Munich did just that [http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-munich-rejected-steve-ballmer-and-kicked-microsoft-out-of-the-city/]. I remember reading a more in depth article about that story closer to the time. It was the first time I personally had ever heard of such a move on such a scale and for the reasons being discussed. It's also why I have a great respect for the way to Munich government handled the entire process from the start to the end. And I think China are experiencing the same thing now too.

For home users, our choice of OS is usually whatever came with the machine at point of sale. Occasionally, some users might upgrade by buying a newer OS, but that is significantly fewer. There are undoubtedly many dodgy copies around as well, and a relatively tiny user base of alternative OSs like Linux. For us to upgrade, it's not a big deal. We buy a disc, or buy a new computer and figure out the changes as we go, eventually conforming our machines to suit our needs.

For governments, universities and large corporations for example, it's a different story. There are hundreds of staff that need training, multitudes of databases and proprietary software, templates and shared practices. The numbers of computers is huge and the cost to change even the software would be huge, let alone the hardware too. The issue with Windows is that Microsoft dictate pricing, on going support and end of life and many organisations are tired of being held financially hostage to them.

When MS kill a product because they aren't making money any more, it's because they want more money and do so by creating a new, better product. But the Chinese government, among others, doesn't necessarily need to newer product and doesn't want to spend the small fortune it would cost to upgrade. And why should they, if the system works? The article above shows how Munich council investigated switching and how they went about it and it shows that it's entirely possible to break out of Microsoft's upgrade cycle/licensing business if one is determined enough. By using a customised OS like Linux, it can be tailored specifically for the organisation, upgraded constantly, changes made as desired, etc. all without having to wait on Microsoft.