Summary: China subsidises adoption of GNU/Linux and AFP has published the report "cash-strapped Latvia mulls switching from Microsoft"

According to this pro-Intel Web site, the government of China helps promote GNU/Linux-based devices in rural areas. Slashdot had it submitted by someone from that Intel-boosting site (Henry), using the following concise summary:

The Chinese government's 'Go Rural' program offers subsidies up to 13 percent for rural residents who purchase approved nettops or netbooks. The systems come with a version of Red Flag Linux built on the Moblin stack.

The more interesting news, however, comes from Latvia, where the government wants to move all the way to Free software.

Cash-strapped Latvia is mulling whether to replace brand name office software like Microsoft with an open source equivalent as a cost-cutting measure, a government spokeswoman told AFP Thursday.

Latvia had chosen ODF and finally made it official at the beginning of this year. Steve Ballmer visited the country in May this year, so it is important to watch things carefully and see if Microsoft 'pulls an EDGI'. It could be illegal. ⬆