Australian Tax Office Adopts Open Source Software

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Australian Tax Office Adopts Open Source Software

Posted by timothy on Monday February 23, 2004 @03:52PM from the updated-fleecing-techniques dept.

James Roberts writes "AustralianIT is reporting today that the Australian Tax Office, or ATO (Australian IRS equivalent) has ditched its standard Microsoft SOE and will now adopt the Linux operating system 'where appropriate.' It was reported late last year that the ATO was originally considering Longhorn as its preferred SOE. This is a big step for Australian Federal Government, who have been slow in the uptake of open source policies despite ongoing petitioning by several high profile pressure groups."

15 of 167 comments (clear)

"Pressure groups" is such an ugly phrase by ObviousGuy · 2004-02-23 15:54 · Score: 3, Funny

Why not call them what they are, "non-profit sales teams"?

Here's a funny thought. The government saves money by not paying Microsoft licensing fees. Do they expect to return that windfall back to the tax payers?

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I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
1. Re:"Pressure groups" is such an ugly phrase by evil_roy · 2004-02-23 15:59 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Funnier still is that the author considers LUGS high profile.
  
  I don't think there is any such thing as a 'high profile' *UG
In Other News by wan-fu · 2004-02-23 15:57 · Score: 5, Funny

By using an Anton Pilar act, SCO raided ATO offices demanding a AUD$904.32 (USD$699) licensing fee for each CPU.
Where appropriate by gid13 · 2004-02-23 15:59 · Score: 5, Funny

As opposed to what they were doing before: adopting it where inappropriate! :)

Seriously though, is it just me or does that wording imply that they've been inappropriately using Windows? Maybe it's good they can admit such a thing.
Longhorn? by Espectr0 · 2004-02-23 15:59 · Score: 5, Funny

It was reported late last year that the ATO was originally considering Longhorn as its preferred SOE

What? How can they even consider an OS that won't be released for about 2 years?

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Open Source Java Web Forum with LDAP authentication
Open Source=save money? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 16:02 · Score: 2, Funny

You mean that there is free/inexpensive sofware that governments can use? I thought that they needed to pay tons of money for everything. That's just mind-boggling!
Great, Just Great... by OECD · 2004-02-23 16:04 · Score: 4, Funny

The frickin TAX OFFICE now has a reliable, free, software solution.
I'm going to have to rethink this whole Open Source thing...

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One man's -1 Flamebait is another man's +5 Funny.
Re:oh dear by saramakos · 2004-02-23 16:04 · Score: 5, Funny

I am sorry - this does NOT mean you will get your Tax Return sooner.
It's not ATO... by sashang · 2004-02-23 16:20 · Score: 3, Funny

it's GNU/ATO. In the future please correctly refer to the organization as GNU/ATO.
All your taxes belong to us.
Re:It can't be a full scale conversion. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 17:02 · Score: 1, Funny

If you've written code for the ATO, I wouldn't go bragging about it. Their database blows goats.
Re:Open Source is nice... by ReyTFox · 2004-02-23 17:09 · Score: 2, Funny

"Free Money" sounds like a counterfeiting tool to me >.>
Re:Open Source is nice... by AndroidCat · 2004-02-23 17:12 · Score: 5, Funny

Just what Australians need, GNU Taxes!

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One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
Re:oh dear by askegg · 2004-02-23 17:51 · Score: 3, Funny

Taxelation = The joy of receiving your tax return, which lasts until you realise it was your money to begin with.

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I don't make predictions, and I never will.
What? No Foster's? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 18:14 · Score: 2, Funny

ATO, Australian for robbery.
Tax or Tux? by axxackall · 2004-02-23 21:37 · Score: 3, Funny

I guess from now on we should call it "Australian Tux Office".

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Less is more !