VA Linux Systems Japan (VA Linux) today announced a strategic alliance with Sun Wah Linux Limited (SWL) to jointly develop a universal Debian GNU/Linux infrastructure and actively promote the adoption of Debian-based.

The partnership of the two companies aims to capitalize on the competitive forces of both VA Linux’s capabilities with server-level applications including the Linux Kernel, and SWL’s experience on desktop applications and knowledge of internationalization (I18N) techniques, especially for Asian languages. In addition, both firms will promote the adoption of Debian-based systems in both the Japanese and Chinese markets, including the telecommunications and enterprise sectors in Japan and government and public sectors in China.

Currently VA Linux employs six official Debian developers, including Simon Horman, well known for his contribution to the load-balancer UltraMonkey and the Debian kernel team, and Takuo Kitame, a renowned developer for his work on GNOME and Mozilla-related technologies. There are also two official Debian developers at SWL, including Roger So, an I18N specialist and a steering committee member of OpenI18N.

“In Asia, especially in Japan and China, Open Source is getting huge publicity and is now well-received,” said Tetsuya Ueda, President and CEO of VA Linux in Tokyo. We at VA Linux regard Debian as indispensable since it provides our valuable customers with a practical alternative, which can be freely used and deployed, and is highly customizable. I am sure that the strategic alliance with SWL will push Debian one step further, and considerably facilitate the adoption of Open Source solutions in both Japan and China.”

Alex Banh, CEO of Sun Wah Linux in Nanjing, China added that the goal is to double the number of official Debian developers in the near future.


Source : DigiTimes