China is quite well known for software privacy and now that Microsoft is phasing out support the Windows XP, it is quite possible that various Linux distribution might see a new record in usage quite soon. Canonical, people behind the Ubuntu, is currently working with Chinese institutions on an Ubuntu which is aimed specifically on China.


To get an increase of user base is quite simple as all you have to do is somehow get China to make it their own OS of choice. A lot of Chinese market is currently using Deepin Linux, which a version of the Ubuntu developed for Chinese market. Currently there is also the Linux Mint as well as Ubuntu Kylin, a version of Ubunut developed by Canonical in cooperation with Chinese "National University of Defense and Technology" and "Chinese Software and Integrated Promotions Centre".

The new OS is more personalized for the user, with software, characters and even an integrated lunar calendar interface. Canonical managed to further push the adoption by providing it pre-installed on systems from Dell, HP and Lenovo and push it to more than 2500 shops around China. According to Canonical, their Kylin version of Linux was downloaded over 400,000 times since it was out in April until October and its last version has seen 1.3 million downloads.

Since Windows XP is at its end of life, the Chinese government has to decide for an alternative and it looks like Ubuntu will be their OS of choice. By how things are currently rolling, the OS market share will be quite funny by the end of this year.




Source: Le Comptoir du Hardware