Slashdot Mirror
Andalucia Adopts Free Software
InodoroPereyra writes "Browsing Linux Today I found a link to an
HispaLiNUX
article stating that
Andalucia goes OpenSource. More specifically,
"All public educational centre necessities are intended to be fulfilled, first of all, with Free Software [...] It is compulsory to all hardware acquired by official educational centres to be fully compatible with Free Software operating systems. Furthermore, it must be preinstalled in all new bought computers".
Andalucia is a region located to the South of Spain, with about 7.5 million inhabitants. This is an important follow-up to the many stories on
Linux in Extremadura."
It starts with decsions such as this and finally everybody is too small except for the federal government of the US of A and then they realize that 80% of their users are now running an OS with penguin for a mascot!
What matters is not what place adopts Linux, but because it is the (small) beginning that might convince others.
Up to now many organizations (mainly public/state such as communities, regions, provinces) have been thinking aloud on switching to Linux (on the desktop), but until now it seems like noone dared to make the jump.
It is not for nothing that MSFT is fighting every 'minor defection' vigorously (offering huge discounts etc first and sometimes starting the threaten if that doesn't help). After the first success story provides proof that it is possible and saves loads of money, creates independance and freedom, the facade that MSFT keeps up will crumble and many will follow.
Therefore, the first time a real largish organization, even if it is in some insignificant region (in your eyes) that makes the switch and does not have itself bribed or bullied, is very important news.