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The German government has just announced that all its federal, state and local offices will be fitted with Linux systems. The Microsoft OS will be removed. No joke: this is the real thing. The government has decided that they don't want to encourage a single vendor monopoly, but prefer a free system which can be expanded as needed, using a wide diversity of third party developers.

Your opinions?

This isn't because of the "We hate MS" stand grossly evident over the net is it? I like the Windows system, sure it has its faults but then so does everything else.

I've seen a linux system, but never used one though. So I can't comment on that. If they want an equal base for all OS, they should at least let them choose.

Setting aside the 'I hate MS' stance, I'd say that it's about time someone did something to break the monopoly MS has over the market. Competition in this instance is a good thing, it will encourage better products in the computer marketplace.

I also think Fable should drop in on the Happy Birthday Beldin thread.

An excellent decision from the German government, I hope more will follow their example. For those not familiar with Linux, is an open source OS, so noone profits from the OS per se. Some software is available free on the net, other software you can buy from different developers - the key word here being different. Microsoft's monopoly situation is a serious problem not only for the consumers who become limited in their choices, but also for development in itself.

From personal experience, I've found Linux far more stable than any version of Windows have ever used. The only reason I don't run it any longer is that nobody makes the software I need for work for Linux platforms

Let me also add that I don't hate MS because I think it's cool or something, I hate MS because of their monopoly policy, because they make an unreliable and instable OS and software that with flaws that are dangeous to the user (ie highly insecure Outlook explorer).

Originally posted by C Elegans
An excellent decision from the German government, I hope more will follow their example.

I certainly agree. I think it's about time someone attempted this. Although I'm actually a fan of Windows and many other Microsoft products, I don't like the Microsoft business strategies of buy what looks good and squash everything else.

@Fable, do you have any links to information on this? I'd be interested to know how long they think it's going to take to implement this change, and at what cost.

Here is BBC's report of the German decision, I think most of the details are still secret though:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/busine ... 023127.stm

Maybe Microsoft is helping the US government, as Windows has a fair bit of spyware inbeded in it (I think). Perhaps Germany just doesn't like Dubya reading their e-mails.