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Andalucia Adopts Free Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the welcome-to-the-hotel-california dept.

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."

7 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. Small nations by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Small nations/language groups may indeed follow suit. I remember when Microsoft refused to make an Icelandic version of Windows some years ago. Reason? Too few users... Well, there are actually 250,000 icelanders, like a larger city block. Which makes me think of my 25 minute old Mandrake 9.1 installation. It boasts support for 60 languages, including Icelandic.

    1. Re:Small nations by Blaine+Hilton · · Score: 2, Informative

      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!

  2. Economic Development by luzrek · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sounds like they want to encourage Open Source software to encourage the local economy. Makes sense, they won't have to send X-dollars per computer to MS or IBM or SUN or Apple and that money can stay in the local economy. Before someone says, "but what about the cost of training?" The money spent on the computer training for people to use OSS will also stay in the local economy and is actually a direct expendature on educating the local work force.

    --

    Galium Arsenide is the material of the future, and always will be.

  3. Close minded by binaryDigit · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The question is, is the REQUIREMENT that all systems contain Free (they didn't say OPEN, just FREE, I don't know if this is a translation thing, but there is an important distinction) software good or not. Are they limiting themselves just as they would be if they declared "all systems must have Microsoft software". What if it turns out that MacOS actually suits their needs the best? (ok, you can stop laughing now)

    The article is light on background and I don't read Spanish, so I don't know what precipitated this decision (purely financial, political (aka Anti-Microsoft), technical, or whatever). So it's hard to tell just how well thought out this is.

    1. Re:Close minded by 10Ghz · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Are they limiting themselves just as they would be if they declared "all systems must have Microsoft software".


      This isn't same kind of limitation (assuming that being free is a requirement). If they required that all systems must have MS-software, they would lock out competing companies. If they require that the software must be free, no company gets excluded. There's nothing stopping MS from offering software that fits their requirements. If MS chooses not to do so, it's MS's problem.

      It would be same if I wanted to buy a station-wagon. Would I be excluding car-manufacturers that don't make station-wagons? Nope. If they don't have products that I'm interested in, it's really not my problem, it's their problem.
      --
      Lesbian Nazi Hookers Abducted by UFOs and Forced Into Weight Loss Programs - -all next week on Town Talk.
  4. Free Software Marches on! by TarPitt · · Score: 2, Funny

    Today Andalucia, tomorrow Catalonia!

    --
    If your children ever found out how lame you are, they'd murder you in your sleep
  5. It is very important by Baki · · Score: 2, Informative

    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.