From the article: "It seemed like a great idea when it was authorized," says Mr. X, who declines to be identified. "We listened and recorded key details on thousands of amateur radio communications; both domestic and international. But later, after the security specialists analyzed the first quarter data, we discovered it was a huge waste of time. Seriously. Nothing of value."
The answer to the question of "why does someone use Windows" is always "because the applications they need are written for Windows."
And before the quick reply comes of "But there are linux versions of all the applications most people need"... remember the government is not exactly 'most people'.
The GOTS application developers target their most obvious client platforms: Windows. The government invests in these applications and hangs onto them for a Very Long Time (TM).
The government doesn't use Windows because they actually think it's better than linux or any other operating system. They use it because that is what all their applications (past and present) are written for.
Slashdot Mirror
Federal "Ham Radio Listening Report" Halted Immediately
http://www.noiseblankers.com/hijinks/2013/6/13/federal-ham-radio-listening-report-halted-immediately.html
From the article: "It seemed like a great idea when it was authorized," says Mr. X, who declines to be identified. "We listened and recorded key details on thousands of amateur radio communications; both domestic and international. But later, after the security specialists analyzed the first quarter data, we discovered it was a huge waste of time. Seriously. Nothing of value."
The answer to the question of "why does someone use Windows" is always "because the applications they need are written for Windows."
And before the quick reply comes of "But there are linux versions of all the applications most people need"... remember the government is not exactly 'most people'.
The GOTS application developers target their most obvious client platforms: Windows. The government invests in these applications and hangs onto them for a Very Long Time (TM).
The government doesn't use Windows because they actually think it's better than linux or any other operating system. They use it because that is what all their applications (past and present) are written for.