To Russia, with Linux

Computerworld - IBM and the Russian Ministry of Communications and Computerization have agreed to put together a Linux Competency Center in Moscow to help push greater use of the open-source operating system in Russia.
The new center, which will mimic existing IBM Linux Competency Centers in New York and other cities, will be equipped with a wide selection of IBM hardware and software so would-be users can test their applications and gain insights into how Linux could help their businesses and operations, according to IBM.
The Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics will work with IBM and the Russian government by providing open-source skills and technical help at the facility. It is slated to open by the end of the year.
The IBM hardware in the center will include IBM TotalStorage products running Linux, including eServer xSeries systems, high-powered Linux clusters and IBM software, including WebSphere, DB2, Lotus and Tivoli products.
Adam Jollans, Linux strategy manager at IBM's software group, said the center is aimed at providing open-source information to government agencies and businesses in Russia seeking alternative ways of doing their work.
Andrey Korotkov, a deputy minister with the Russian Ministry of Communications and Computerization, said in a statement that the center will help "create a Linux ecosystem enabling Russian hi-tech companies to expand into global markets faster. IT solutions based on Linux and open standards will open up great opportunities to businesses in Russia."