Open Source Cities Followup — Munich Yea, Vienna Nay

We're catching up on two stories of municipal engagement with open source software: Munich (which decided to go OS in 2003) and Vienna (2005). E5Rebel brings us news that Munich has stayed the course. But bkingaut informs that Vienna has decided to migrate back to Windows (Google translation) — to Vista no less. The migration of 720 computers used in kindergartens will cost the city about €8M. The given reason for all this is a language test application for the kids that only works with MS IE and won't be made compatible (by the producer) with Firefox until 2009.

Comments

More â8M to make a trivial web app compatible

[Rakshasa Taisab]

I suggest hiring 1000 monkeys for a year, bananas should cost less than $8000 a year.

Re:Why not switch test software?

[value_added]

Seems to me it would be easier and cheaper to find test software that did not require IE.

My guess is that, while an obvious choice, runs into hurdles that arise within the context of school administration (i.e., all software requires committee approval, public meetings, budget approval, etc.).

If there's an upside to this sad state of affairs, it's that we have a new Slashdot meme:

Vista -- please won't someone think of the kids?

Re:Compatability?

[pcgabe]

If narcissism=mass, the skulls of those who point out puns would crush in on themselves in a giant black hole of stupity

I wonder if "stupity" is some sort of ironic pun, in which case, I hesitate to point it out.

Re:Why not switch test software?

[mhall119]

he questions are usually copyrighted so you need someone to write a new set of questions, get them certified by the education department, get the app written, the app certified by the education department and so on. Yes, if only the school system had a mass of people qualified to write educational questions, willing to work long hours for bad pay while dealing with children all day long. If only.

Re:In my experience

[Anonymous Coward]

Not only that, but what if they need browser support? Who are they going to go with Firefox? Nobody, because there is nobody.

Um, what about you, Mister (or Miss) Experienced Developer? You have the source code! Get in there and fix it!
Oh, that's right, you're a Developer of Browser-Based Educational Software, not a real coder.

Re:Why not switch test software?

[Sique]

A as in Austria (Vienna is the capital of Austria after all, and it's now 90 years ago that Croatia is no part of Austria anymore)?