The government of Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, has begun deploying Linux and other open source software solutions throughout their government IT systems.
"Initially, 99 per cent of government systems have been running on Microsoft systems but then 2007 will be a watershed year for the state IT sector. We are fast migrating to Linux operating systems which are so much cheaper and can be operated at low cost, besides offering continuous updates and freedom from viruses," says Mr C. Umashankar, managing director of state-owned ELCOT, vested with the responsibility of overseeing such ambitious government projects as e-governance, enumerating the beneficiaries of the free TV scheme, family ration cards and the free sari-dhoti distribution.
January 3rd, 2007
The City of Amsterdam will be testing out open source software in two administrative districts, the housing department and one of its borough offices. Amsterdam is one of ten Dutch cities to sign the "manifesto for open software in government"
"Earlier this year, a study ordered by the (Amsterdam) city council showed that an ‘open’ software strategy leads to more independence from suppliers," the city said in a statement. "In addition, the use of open software can lead to better exchange and storage of information, without unacceptable financial or logistical risks."
The test is scheduled to run during the first half of 2007, and, if successful, the rest of the city may start using open source software, the city statement said.
It said it didn’t plan to stop using Microsoft software entirely in any case, but "it is the expectation that a new contract with … Microsoft will be smaller." The current contract expires in at the end of 2008.
December 26th, 2006