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Canadian Federal Government Mulling Open Source?

An anonymous reader points out a CBC report discussing a request from the Canadian government for information about open source software and free proprietary software. Evan Leibovitch, an advocate for open source, says the government's interest was spurred by a desire to reduce expenditures during the recession. "...Leibovitch said he hopes the request will lead to government policies that give 'a level playing field' to vendors of open-source software services, who provide technical and administrative support to companies that use open-source programs. He alleges these service providers currently face barriers when competing with proprietary software vendors in the government procurement process. ... When the government purchases software, it often assumes that it will have to pay for a licence and asks software vendors to bid for the contract, McOrmond said. Vendors of open source software services don't respond to that initial call for tender because they have no licences to sell. But then, the government might ask for a separate round of bids for providing support services for the software, which open-source vendors could provide."

2 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. CANLinux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    and i wonder if my pressure and exposure at the numbers might entice anyone to go open source LIKE OMG get rid a XP NOW.
    ya know in long run its a massive savings and like russia and cuba ya can make your own flavour like beaver linux, or
    mapleleaf linux
    canlinux is a good one LOL

    about 1 billion or more saved a year GET AT IT BOYS and gain some respect in the world.

  2. Elegy for *BSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll


    Elegy For *BSD


    I am a *BSD user
    and I try hard to be brave
    That is a tall order
    *BSD's foot is in the grave.

    I tap at my toy keyboard
    and whistle a happy tune
    but keeping happy's so hard,
    *BSD died so soon.

    Each day I wake and softly sob
    Nightfall finds me crying
    Not only am I a zit faced slob
    but *BSD is dying.