Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Australian NSW Government Making Way for Linux

Posted by timothy on from the step-aside-please-step-aside dept.

seralick writes "Australian IT has reported that the Australian NSW government has established 'Australia's first whole-of-government panel to supply open source software and services to its departments and agencies.' Basically they have opened the way for the wide spread goverment usage of Linux software and services."

6 of 92 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow! by Morlark · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think it's a bit late for that now. Governments around the world are starting to realise that Linux is a viable alternative to Windows.
    This reminds me of what's happening with the Computing Society at my university. The society is a strong supporter of Linux, so Microsoft has been offering us free software. They have yet to mention what the catch is, so we'll have to see how it all turns out.

    --
    Santa's suicide mission go!
  2. Kangaroos Embracing Penguins? by Pants75 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Eeewwwwwwww!

  3. Re:Wow! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Telstra is the lamest company ever. They had systematically gouged Australians and set-back the broadband and other Internet based industries decades.

    Bill Gates and Telstra deserve each other, scum bags.

  4. We won't get this news on the telley yet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    We have to wait 8 months in Australia before this news is on the TV

    I better find a torrent for it!

  5. Re:Misreporting and Slashdot Sensationalisation by 0x461FAB0BD7D2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The panel was formed to save government agencies the time and trouble of running open tenders. It was also formed to provide Linux-based services.

    Yes, perhaps this may lock out smaller companies or organizations, but it does promote open source usage by making it simpler to get.

    The main goal, as I see it, is to break the Microsoft stranglehold. If it requires the use of larger companies at the expense of smaller ones, so be it. If Linux captures a large share of the market, through these designated companies, then smaller players can come in and compete directly based on technical merit.

    If Ubuntu is better than SuSE is, let it compete against SuSE. But Ubuntu doesn't have much chance to compete against the might of Microsoft without the help of Novell, IBM and others.

  6. My company made it on the panel by exekewtable · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My company Solutions First (http://www.solutionsfirst.com.au) made it on the panel right next to the multinationals. We are a relativly small IT firm that specialises in Linux solutions, even if most of our clients don't know it. We have been providing linux solutions for 5 years in our current form.
    Nevertheless, this is a great thing for NSW. It means that all those government departments that previously had to submit a tender for linux services can now just call us up and we can help them.

    There is a more detailed article here:

    http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/0,2000061733 ,39187094,00.htm
    we are listed as Sol1 in that list.

    Its going to a great chance for our little company.

    dave