I work as a government contractor, and I would have to agree that the degree of work done there is appalling. After witnessing the bureaucracy first hand I have to disagree with some opinions expressed here. The problem is not incompetent personnel (although plenty exists) but is instead caused by the system in which government employees have to function in. Bottom line: There are too many cooks in the kitchen who couldn't fry an egg. I feel that I am a talented developer, but my potential is squandered in the government sector. The problem with government IT projects is not always the people involved, but the red tape which prevents any progression as a whole. You say "Adopt Linux!" (and I couldn't agree more) but the reality is that in the government workplace who is listening? Not only that, but who is listening who doesn't report to another squad of imbeciles? And the cycle continues... Don't be so quick to blame the individual; it's the system which needs fixing. Government jobs are as stable as employment gets. Why? Because no one rocks the boat... everyone there is only concerned with preserving the system as it exists today so they continue to receive paychecks. There is absolutely no incentive for those in management positions to encourage innovation. Simple as that, money makes the world go round.
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I work as a government contractor, and I would have to agree that the degree of work done there is appalling. After witnessing the bureaucracy first hand I have to disagree with some opinions expressed here. The problem is not incompetent personnel (although plenty exists) but is instead caused by the system in which government employees have to function in. Bottom line: There are too many cooks in the kitchen who couldn't fry an egg. I feel that I am a talented developer, but my potential is squandered in the government sector. The problem with government IT projects is not always the people involved, but the red tape which prevents any progression as a whole. You say "Adopt Linux!" (and I couldn't agree more) but the reality is that in the government workplace who is listening? Not only that, but who is listening who doesn't report to another squad of imbeciles? And the cycle continues... Don't be so quick to blame the individual; it's the system which needs fixing. Government jobs are as stable as employment gets. Why? Because no one rocks the boat... everyone there is only concerned with preserving the system as it exists today so they continue to receive paychecks. There is absolutely no incentive for those in management positions to encourage innovation. Simple as that, money makes the world go round.