Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Canadian Federal Government Mulling Open Source?

Posted by Soulskill on from the free-as-in-moose dept.

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."

4 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Very good idea... by RyanFenton · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Most likely, it'll just end up with them getting better offers from Microsoft and other companies - but a policy of promoting open source as a preferred quality in software is still at least a good philosophy to promote.

    There's likely still too much of a practical dependence on folks who will only be comfortable with the idea of using Windows to just do any major switch - but the change in policy to demand a more even playing field will likely reap great rewards, as it has with many other nations making similar decisions.

    Ryan Fenton

    1. Re:Very good idea... by Jurily · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Most likely, it'll just end up with them getting better offers from Microsoft and other companies

      Which, incidentally, is the real news here. Did you notice the shift? A couple of years ago they'd just shrug it off, now a government migrating to Linux is credible enough to seriously consider.

      Stage 1 complete.

  2. Green Party Platform by clarkn0va · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Open Source software was part of the Green Party's very thorough and thoughtful election campaign. Too bad most Canadians never bothered to read it.

    I see it still features on their web site as a current issue. With a minority government in power and the threat of a coalition or vote of non-confidence always looming, it's hard to say how much pull the Greens really have, having failed yet again to win a seat in parliament.

    --
    I am literally 3000 tokens away from the chaotic crossbow --Stephen
  3. Re:CANLinux by supernova_hq · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am only responding to your last statement. As a Canadian who has visited many areas of both the US and Europe, I can tell you that Americans are the only people who DON'T respect Canadians. You are AC, so I don't know what nationality you are, but if you are American, believe me, you guys are some of the LEAST respected people in the world.

    Yes, I have some Karma to burn!