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French National Assembly Embraces Open Source

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the va-la-penguins dept.

eldavojohn writes "The French National Assembly is in the news as they have recently switched to Linux, OpenOffice.org & open source software at the request of several deputy members. Bernard Carayon wrote it it into the proposal entitled 'On Equal Terms' [French PDF]. From the article, 'IT staff at the National Assembly have almost six months to prepare the switch to open source.' The same document urged France to adopt ODF as a standard. Hopefully things go more smoothly for them than the Birmingham library effort."

7 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by jo42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess now we'll have to stop making fun of the French... ~:->

  2. This has a European scope ... by foobsr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ... and, as far as I could understand (I lack some French) is focussed on a better usage of economic resources - that is - why pay M$ Euros. Good move.

    And my bias is that France (for short) will not be bribed by M$s.

    CC.

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    TaijiQuan (Huang, 5 loosenings)
  3. New slogan by Ralph+Yarro · · Score: 5, Funny

    Freedom software... that's 'freedom' as in 'fries'.

    --

    The real Ralph Yarro posts as Anonymous Coward. Anyone else is an impostor.
  4. Good for them! by tttonyyy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While the rest of the world umms and ahhs about OSS and things like nuclear power, the French just get in there and do it. Despite the poor attitude that many have towards the French (you know who you are!), you've really got to admire them sometimes. :)

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    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
    1. Re:Good for them! by caluml · · Score: 4, Insightful

      the French just get in there and do it

      That is true. They are very good at delivering projects too, at least from my UK perspective. We worked with them to make Concorde. They built that huge new bridge above the clouds in France.
      I like many things about France. Let's hope they don't become too Anglicised/Americanised.

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  5. Considering... by Noryungi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The same parliament voted recently for the most restrictive copyright law in Europe, a law that could potentially kill french open source projects, and that was practically written by the French RIAA, there is a sweet smell of irony in the air...

    On the other hand that was probably the plan all along: write a stupid law to placate the RIAA/MPAA of this world. A law so totally impossible to enforce, that any case brought in front of a court would be laughed out of the justice system. And then, benefit from Open Source, safe and sound in the knowledge that you [the members of Parliament] have taken your bribe, and you get to benefit from Open Source on top of it. Bastards.

    And if you think I am making this up, I invite you to read the documents in the link above and discover the whole sorry mess for yourself.

    [As a side note: I am French, and I despise all these wankers, so take this not as a troll, but a letting off steam.]

    [Side note 2: also, I was one of the few French who actually took the time to protest the whole thing, so don't give me the "you should have done something" line Mmmmmm'kay?]

    --
    The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
  6. Re:Does this mean by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, they're using fenêtres instead :)