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World Govs Choose Linux For Security & More
pjones writes "Government Technology reports that "For reasons of national security and national pride, government officials in countries like China, France and Germany are increasingly adopting the free, open-source computer operating system known as Linux." Noted in the article are China's Red Flag, NSA's Security-Enhanced Linux and much more."
I mean, I'm glad to see the rest of the world smartening up and kicking the MS habit, but unless the U.S. gives up it's vision of a global industry dominated by "their" companies (heh), I don't think they will push alternatives very hard.
Also, how deep are the ties between MS and the present Administration? That will make a big difference in how the Gov't treats MS.
I've got a bad attitude and karma to burn. Go ahead. Mod me down.
Basically, it all comes down to the fact that those in government gets to spend other people's money, and if, in doing so, they can befriend a powerful corporation (who could fund their next election campaign) then all the better!
as a non-finnish German I have to deny it and I guess most Finnish Linux contributors also would. As much as I love the Finnish people for their extraordinarily black humour (finnish movies rule!) and their kindness, I think this argument only reflects the view of a non-European. "National pride" and the Open Source spirit don't fit together. Linux is a truly international endavour and I love this fact. If Linux were a reason for "national pride", it would lose most of it's attractivity for me.
Got to agree with you. The NHS (National Health Service) in the UK just linked up with Microsoft to use their software on all their computers. This includes office as well. The article is from BBC News.
The NHS is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) employers in the UK so a deal like this means a massive increase in income for MS - £5 billion according to the article (with discount!).
As the article says medical records need confidentiality and having MS "own" the system required to read it is potentially disasterous. The other computer projects that the NHS has undertaken have not been too great of a success e.g. the "NHSnet" (an internal network) which was buggy and used old protocols instead of using newer email protocols (i.e. they didn't use POP3).
I think that MS one this contract cause they are in bed with president tony (blair). I can't see how it is good for the health service if every machine is ms-dependent. They really should have tried splitting the system between different contractors (ms could still be involved) so that there is redundancy in the system. The thing is everybody attack IIS systems, and for some reason I think it will be a major hassle trying to locate and patch every single server the NHS has.
more links
500,000 winxp licenses for Uk.gov
NHS email system not working
Gates talks to NHS managers about using ms products
Doctors forced to use Hotmail for confidential medical records
While I don't doubt that supporting a US corporation could be a factor, there are also other forces at play. When the U.S. Department of State was planning a world-wide network, the original specs were software independent. However, once those specs were passed to consultants, the MS suite of software was specified. The result is a system that is a nightmare to manage and difficult intergration between Windows NT/2000 systems and existing Unix systems. They have invested millions of dollars in training and supporting this network and it is unlikely that they will change now even though Linux would be a MUCH better solution.
Lots of US government agencies use Linux for various purposed. NASA uses it. NSA is developing their own hardened distrobution. Etc.
What's important is that we continue to provide them with a good Linux experience. Treat US government employees like royalty in newsgroups etc(when they ask about linux), and we just might increase our brainshare and marketshare.
Stop the brainwash