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UK Government Boosts Open Source Adoption

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the here-comes-the-big-discount-offer-from-microsoft dept.

Cameron Logie writes "The UK Government has today announced full backing for greater adoption of Open Source solutions in the public sector. According to the article at the BBC News site, 'Government departments will be required to adopt open source software when "there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products" because of its "inherent flexibility."'"

5 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. Well... They need all the money they can get by Colin+Smith · · Score: 5, Funny

    So that they can give it to the poor destitute W^HBankers.

     

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  2. YES! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The benefits of open source over closed source are obvious!

    We can now look forward to a more community driven approach to oppression.

  3. Clarity needed by commodore64_love · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >>>"if there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products"

    So does that mean if MS Office costs $200, but OpenOffice costs $0, then the government employees can't adopt OpenOffice because there's a cost difference?

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    1. Re:Clarity needed by TheNinjaroach · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So does that mean if MS Office costs $200, but OpenOffice costs $0, then the government employees can't adopt OpenOffice because there's a cost difference?

      Deploying any piece of software requires proper planning, configuration, infrastructure and training. Even free software costs money to own, hence the 'overall cost' they refer to. This is a good thing though, it's what keeps us employed even though the software is 'free.'

      --
      I went to eat some animal crackers and the box said, "Do not eat if seal is broken." I opened the box and sure enough..
  4. Overall cost difference? by mangu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    FTA:

    Government departments will be required to adopt open source software when "there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products" because of its "inherent flexibility".

    The problem is that the "overall cost" depends on how much marketing $$$ is thrown in.