PRESS RELEASE: CIPS (Canadian Information Processing Society)
Toronto Section sees the Corel and Microsoft alliance as a
potential set back to Corel’s commitment to Linux. Linux is
heralded by the technology industry as the only alternative to
Windows NT operating system. Without Linux, CIPS warns that the
industry will not have any choice and Microsoft will continue to
maintain monopoly strongholdin the operating system and software
business.
“Both Corel and Microsoft have not commented on how their
relationship will affect Corel’s Linux development and that is a
concern to CIPS,” said Rob Black, President of CIPS, Toronto
Section. “Competition between Linux and Microsoft Windows NT
wouldincrease quality in both platforms. However for Linux to
become viable, it needs software applications offered by
Corel.”
CIPS, which represents technology professionals in Canada,
expressed concerned over Microsoft’s interest in Corel could also
be a means to squash Corel’s efforts in the development of software
for Linux.
“CIPS is skeptical about Microsoft’s intention to invest in
Corel to help Microsoft deploy its .NET initiative. It this were
the case, why wouldn’t Microsoft have partnered with companies when
it launched MSN and its other Internet ventures?” said Black. “We
believe there’s more to the story and we’re particularly uneasy
about both company’s vagueness about the future of Linux software
development.
“What we’d like to see is Corel and Microsoft issue a statement
positively confirming the ongoing support and commitment to
Linux.”
CIPS is the voice and champion of the Canadian Information
Technology Profession, with membership of over 8,000 and confers
the I.S.P. (Information Systems Professional) designation which
isrecognized in Ontario, Alberta and other provinces as the
self-regulating profession of Information Technology practice.
CIPS’ mandate is to define and foster the IT profession, to
encourage and support the IT practitioner, and to advance the
theory and practice of IT, while safeguarding the public interest.
Information on CIPS Toronto Section can be found at
www.cips.ca/toronto/default.asp.