Red Flag Linux
Encyclopedia
Red Flag Linux is a Chinese
Linux distribution
developed by Red Flag Software. Red Flag's logo is Tux
carrying a prominent red flag
.
The current executive president of Red Flag Software is Jia Dong (贾栋).
3.0, which was released on September 22, 2007. It includes Linux 2.6.22.6, KDE
3.5.7 and X.Org
7.2.
Red Flag Linux Desktop 6.0 is intended to be a comprehensive desktop operating system and has some major improvements concerning installation, hardware, and multimedia support, as well as desktop configuration.
Beside specialised solutions, Red Flag Linux has the following products:
The internal structure of Red Flag Linux is very similar to Red Hat Linux
, using a similar installer. The desktop of Red Flag Linux bears a high resemblance to that of Windows XP
, ranging from its desktop theme
to icon
s, which the distributor claims eases operating system transition.
. Financial help came from government-owned Shanghai NewMargin Venture Capital. In March 2001, Bloomberg
News reported that CCIDNET Investment, a VC arm of the Ministry of Information Industry, had become Red Flag's second largest shareholder.
During a brief standoff with Microsoft in January in a year-length series of increasing tensions believed to have been tied to Microsoft's perceived mismanagement of its Microsoft Venus
venture, Chinese governmental ministries were ordered to uninstall Windows 2000
from their computers in favor of Red Flag Linux.
In January 2006, Red Flag Linux joined the Open Source Development Labs.
, since November 2008, have been required to install the Red Flag Linux as a replacement for pirated versions of the popular Microsoft Windows operating system, or switch to legitimate copies of Microsoft Windows. Radio Free Asia
however said that Chinese internet cafes were being required to switch to Red Flag Linux even if they were using genuine copies of the Windows OS. This system is provided with a non-expiring support contract at the cost of 5000 yuan for all machines in the cafe. An official spokesperson for Red Flag Linux clarified by stating that the announcement were targeted to the server-side not the gaming-intensive client-side computers, and that in the original announcement, Microsoft Windows and Red Flag Linux were simply recommended platforms as they have been tested by the Bureau of Culture.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Linux distribution
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
developed by Red Flag Software. Red Flag's logo is Tux
Tux
Tux is a penguin character and the official mascot of the Linux kernel. Originally created as an entry to a Linux logo competition, Tux is the most commonly used icon for Linux, although different Linux distributions depict Tux in various styles. In video games featuring the character, female...
carrying a prominent red flag
Red flag
In politics, a red flag is a symbol of Socialism, or Communism, or sometimes left-wing politics in general. It has been associated with left-wing politics since the French Revolution. Socialists adopted the symbol during the Revolutions of 1848 and it became a symbol of communism as a result of its...
.
The current executive president of Red Flag Software is Jia Dong (贾栋).
Description
Red Flag Linux 6.0 was published on September 29, 2009. Version 6.9 is based on the Linux distribution AsianuxAsianux
Asianux is a Linux distribution. It is a joint development between Linux vendors Red Flag Software of China, Miracle Linux of Japan , Haansoft of South Korea, VietSoftware of Vietnam , WTEC from Thailand and Enterprise Technology Limited of Sri Lanka...
3.0, which was released on September 22, 2007. It includes Linux 2.6.22.6, KDE
KDE
KDE is an international free software community producing an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X systems...
3.5.7 and X.Org
X.Org Server
X.Org Server refers to the X server release packages stewarded by the X.Org Foundation,which is hosted by freedesktop.org, and grants...
7.2.
Red Flag Linux Desktop 6.0 is intended to be a comprehensive desktop operating system and has some major improvements concerning installation, hardware, and multimedia support, as well as desktop configuration.
Beside specialised solutions, Red Flag Linux has the following products:
- Red Flag Asianux Server 3
- Red Flag HA Cluster 6.0
- Red Flag Desktop 6.0 (红旗Linux桌面版6.0)
The internal structure of Red Flag Linux is very similar to Red Hat Linux
Red Hat Linux
Red Hat Linux, assembled by the company Red Hat, was a popular Linux based operating system until its discontinuation in 2004.Red Hat Linux 1.0 was released on November 3, 1994...
, using a similar installer. The desktop of Red Flag Linux bears a high resemblance to that of Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, ranging from its desktop theme
Luna (theme)
Themes customize the appearance of the Windows operating system without changing its functionality ....
to icon
Icon (computing)
A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
s, which the distributor claims eases operating system transition.
History
Red Flag Linux first appeared in August 1999, when it was created by the Institute of Software Research at the Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences , formerly known as Academia Sinica, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People's Republic of China. It is an institution of the State Council of China. It is headquartered in Beijing, with institutes all over the People's Republic of China...
. Financial help came from government-owned Shanghai NewMargin Venture Capital. In March 2001, Bloomberg
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. is an American privately held financial software, media, and data company. Bloomberg makes up one third of the $16 billion global financial data market with estimated revenue of $6.9 billion. Bloomberg L.P...
News reported that CCIDNET Investment, a VC arm of the Ministry of Information Industry, had become Red Flag's second largest shareholder.
During a brief standoff with Microsoft in January in a year-length series of increasing tensions believed to have been tied to Microsoft's perceived mismanagement of its Microsoft Venus
Microsoft Venus
Microsoft Venus was an aborted venture by Microsoft into the low-end personal computing market in the People's Republic of China. The product, a set-top operating system designed to work with low-end televisions , was announced by then-Microsoft chairman Bill Gates on March 10, 1999 in Shenzhen,...
venture, Chinese governmental ministries were ordered to uninstall Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
from their computers in favor of Red Flag Linux.
In January 2006, Red Flag Linux joined the Open Source Development Labs.
Purpose
Red Flag Software Co., Ltd. (Red Flag Software) is focused on the development and marketing of Linux-based operating systems and application software on multiple platforms for the constantly growing base of Chinese technology users. Their goal is "Creating Incentives for Networking Life." The company will continue to develop a modern management pattern called the "Red Flag Way." This is client driven customization based on their business model involving free software.Nanchang Internet cafes
As of 3 December 2008, it has been reported that Internet cafes in NanchangNanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, since November 2008, have been required to install the Red Flag Linux as a replacement for pirated versions of the popular Microsoft Windows operating system, or switch to legitimate copies of Microsoft Windows. Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation that operates a radio station and Internet news service. RFA was founded by an act of the US Congress and is operated by the Broadcasting Board of Governors . The RFA is supported in part by grants from the federal government of the United States...
however said that Chinese internet cafes were being required to switch to Red Flag Linux even if they were using genuine copies of the Windows OS. This system is provided with a non-expiring support contract at the cost of 5000 yuan for all machines in the cafe. An official spokesperson for Red Flag Linux clarified by stating that the announcement were targeted to the server-side not the gaming-intensive client-side computers, and that in the original announcement, Microsoft Windows and Red Flag Linux were simply recommended platforms as they have been tested by the Bureau of Culture.
See also
- AsianuxAsianuxAsianux is a Linux distribution. It is a joint development between Linux vendors Red Flag Software of China, Miracle Linux of Japan , Haansoft of South Korea, VietSoftware of Vietnam , WTEC from Thailand and Enterprise Technology Limited of Sri Lanka...
- Software industry in ChinaSoftware industry in ChinaChina's software industry grew at a compound annual growth rate of more than 39% over the period from 2001 to 2007 to reach RMB 506 billion and is further anticipated to grow at a CAGR of nearly 22% through 2012.-Growth:...
- China Software Industry AssociationChina Software Industry AssociationThe China Software Industry Association is the major representative and one of the most active associations in the China Software industry...
- Nova (operating system)Nova (operating system)Nova is a Cuban state-sponsored Linux distribution launched in February 2009. It is developed in Havana at the University of Information Science by students and professors to provide free/libre/open-source software to inexperienced users and Cuban institutions.-Goal and adoption:The goal of Nova...
- Red Star OSRed Star OSRed Star OS is a North Korean Linux-based operating system. Development started in 2002 at the Korea Computer Center. Prior to its development, computers in North Korea typically used English versions of Microsoft Windows. , it is on version 2.0...
External links
- Red Flag Software official website (Chinese)
- Red Flag Software official website (English)
- Red Flag, China's home-grown Linux distribution, is a good start (NewsForge)
- Raising the Red Flag (Linux JournalLinux JournalLinux Journal is a monthly technology magazine published by Belltown Media, Inc. of Houston, Texas. The magazine focuses specifically on Linux, allowing the content to be a highly specialized source of information for open source enthusiasts.-History:...
) - Red Flag Linux distributor joins OSDL
- Harvard Business School study of Red Flag Software