UK Government Going Open Source (productivity applications)
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The UK government is planning to cut back spending and break the monopoly that MS has on the office productivity software business by going to open source solutions. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/29/uk-government-plans-switch-to-open-source-from-microsoft-office-suite[^] I had heard rumors of this also being considered for the US government, but I believe that's still largely a rumor.
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The UK government is planning to cut back spending and break the monopoly that MS has on the office productivity software business by going to open source solutions. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/29/uk-government-plans-switch-to-open-source-from-microsoft-office-suite[^] I had heard rumors of this also being considered for the US government, but I believe that's still largely a rumor.
So the government is going open source, but the porn filter is still up and running. Riddle me that one, Cameron.
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So the government is going open source, but the porn filter is still up and running. Riddle me that one, Cameron.
I believe "porn filter" is a bit generous. It has also been known to block sex education and sexual health advice sites, rape victim support sites, League of Legends game updates, a few political activist groups. Some other examples: Dalek Dave may want to avoid this link, I don't think he's a fan of the Guardian.[^] Not an inspiring start. I think I'll opt out (nothing to do with the top shelf material you understand). Nontheless, I don'r really see why you shoe-horned it into a reference to use of OSS, which I applaud (and its quite rare I applaud the current shower).
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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The UK government is planning to cut back spending and break the monopoly that MS has on the office productivity software business by going to open source solutions. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/29/uk-government-plans-switch-to-open-source-from-microsoft-office-suite[^] I had heard rumors of this also being considered for the US government, but I believe that's still largely a rumor.
I suspect it will be like when my employer's IT department came up with the brillant idea of putting an SGI box on every desk ~20 years ago. Everything went great until the frist box landed on the first secretary's desk. :doh: At which point the project was abruptly terminated. :omg:
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
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I suspect it will be like when my employer's IT department came up with the brillant idea of putting an SGI box on every desk ~20 years ago. Everything went great until the frist box landed on the first secretary's desk. :doh: At which point the project was abruptly terminated. :omg:
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
:laugh:
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I suspect it will be like when my employer's IT department came up with the brillant idea of putting an SGI box on every desk ~20 years ago. Everything went great until the frist box landed on the first secretary's desk. :doh: At which point the project was abruptly terminated. :omg:
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
I see no reason why open source office applications should not suffice for the vast majority of users. However, I suspect many of the departments may have more invested - VBA macros, interfaces to other systems, etc. which could make this "cost-cutting" exercise have a number of hidden costs. I can just imagine the thought process. "Oh, there's a free alternative. We'll use that."
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.