IBM backing open source with Linux lab expansion
IBM backing open source with Linux lab expansion
Open source advocate IBM Australia is to expand its Canberra-based open source software development lab, as part of its overall strategy to drive the expansion of Linux in the enterprise.
The company's Linux Technology Centre (LTC) was established in March 2001, bringing together nine of Australia's most respected open source software developers. The expansion program, which is supported by the ACT Government, is expected to result in the number of developers doubling in the next couple of years.
Open source software, in which the underlying code is made available users to view and modify, has become increasingly popular in recent years as IT users seek to combat the complexity of modern business computing.
The LTC in Canberra is one of only seven such IBM centres around the world. Its role is to work with other software developers to facilitate the growth of open source software such as Linux, which is the world's fastest growing operating system.
According to John Harvey, IBM's Director of Corporate Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, open source software has grown in popularity among IBM’s customers and expansion of the centre will help to service this demand.
“The Canberra team's unique technical skills help the large numbers of people within IBM Australia who are working with their clients to identify and leverage the benefits of open source software, particularly Linux, in their organisations.
“Importantly, the centre will also become a focus for open source skill development in Australia. The centre will expand its existing links with Australian universities to foster open source development skills and train the experts of tomorrow."
Another important aspect of the expansion, said Harvey, will be attracting new open source research opportunities to Australia.
"The Canberra team has recently developed a partnership with IBM research, involving them in a central way in ground breaking research in areas such as new operating system kernel architectures, compilers and programming environments," he said.
Harvey also acknowledged the important role toe ACT Government played in supporting the development of the open source centre.
"We're pleased to have the support of the ACT government in this - we are working together to foster the development of IT skills in Canberra and around Australia."
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