Nature Award for Linus Torvalds, Jan 04, 2002

COMMERCE
Winner: Mr Linus Torvalds, Programmer, Transmeta Corp., USA.

Linus Torvalds wrote the kernel of Linux and established the Open Source software model, which is a revolutionary way of creating software. In doing so, he not only designed one of the most important pieces of software ever, but he also created a new paradigm for software engineering.

Microsoft is escalating its war against Linux, the free operating system begun as a hobby of Internet dabblers but increasingly the darling of bankers, retailers and Hollywood special effects wizards.

In a Dec. 26 memo leaked this week to technology Web site theregister.uk.com, Microsoft Senior Vice President Brian Valentine urges his Windows sales force to "modify" traditional approaches and "dig deeper" to find out where companies are using Linux.

On 28 December 2001, the Beijing municipal government selected several vendors to provide operating system (OS), office automation (OA) and antivirus software for government PCs acquired without copyrighted software. Beijing selected only Chinese companies, including Red Flag (for its Linux OS) and Kingsoft (for its WPS Office OA product). Microsoft, which was among the seven vendors that bid for the contract, was the only one not selected.

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