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83 Comments
- Frostek, on 02/25/2009, -0/+43It's about bloody time! :-)
- ThinkExist, on 02/25/2009, -1/+16Just another reason why the UK is better then America. (I live in America)
- MacEnvy, on 02/25/2009, -0/+14But the support is not free. They are saying that the TCO needs to be less than they are currently paying for commercial software, which makes complete sense. Let's hope that OSS can prove less costly according to their support matrix.
Rather than them having to learn more about open source, it sounds like you need to learn more about supporting and maintaining enterprise software. - latticebug, on 02/25/2009, -1/+15Fight the bloody economy. Hard and sound!
- egrefen, on 02/25/2009, -1/+12Huzzah!
- hotfarts, on 02/25/2009, -0/+10This is wonderful news! I do hope education in this country follows suit, as individual schools would save an absolute fortune.
- Gisterogue, on 02/25/2009, -0/+8Through the whole article I was expecting to find a paragraph about how Open Source could be dangerous, because of the openness of the code. I'm glad I didn't.
- deepthawt, on 02/25/2009, -1/+9OpenBSD.. An effort sponsored in part by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency D.A.R.P.A and Airforce Research Laboratory. Air Force Material Command, USAF, under agreement number f30602-01-2-0537.
Closed Windows Vista.. An effort sponsored by a large monopoly that has a habit of pushing its competitors out of business.
Which would you choose? - deepthawt, on 02/25/2009, -0/+8It's not really dangerous at all, in fact it's a lot more secure in many respects due to the fact the code is open, so if a developer finds a vulnerability it gets fixed a lot faster than other more commercial operating systems that are closed source.
- XeroXenith, on 02/25/2009, -0/+7And if pupils are trained in-school in FOSS, what will they demand from their future employers? That's right. Hell yes.
- bennyboyo, on 02/25/2009, -1/+8This is seriously good news.
- mynameistux, on 02/26/2009, -0/+5600 million pounds (that is a pound right?)
ok, that's awesome, and if you feel like donating 2mill, then the software will get a hell of a lot better as well.
(not all to one project, but spread out over a few years, to multiple projects.) - ArthurSucks, on 02/26/2009, -0/+5When it comes to business there is a lot more to the total cost than just the purchase price. If a tool is open but harder to use or manage then it's not a good investment. However more and more free software is beating the pants of proprietary software, Just look at apache and PHP.
- PsychoBrat, on 02/26/2009, -0/+5And that's exactly why Microsoft gives their OS away to schools. I'm sure many would call me cynical, but look at me with a straight face and tell me you really believe it's altruism on their part.
- inc595, on 02/25/2009, -1/+5I assume you mean free in this sense.
"Free software" is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of "free" as in "free speech," not as in "free beer."
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html - jackdaniels06, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4This is wonderful progressive news! I DIGG it!
- XeroXenith, on 02/25/2009, -1/+5Do you really think we're that corrupt? The UK is a developed country, and all joking aside, our government is doing a pretty good job. If you've done nothing wrong, there's no reason to worry about any cameras - though there's none where I live, only in central London and the close suburbs AFAIK.
- jmkiii, on 02/25/2009, -2/+6street corners : no
Girls bathrooms : I'll pay 9.95 a month to watch - PsychoBrat, on 02/26/2009, -1/+5Which, in practice, you will also need support staff for...
- melat0nin, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3@PsychoBrat: they don't give their OS away to schools, they use an arcane licensing model which costs schools significant amounts:
http://opensourceschools.org.uk/becta-negotiations ...
Believe it or not, under the most common MS subscription license for schools, they have to pay MS for each computer in the school *regardless of whether it runs Windows or not*. This means a school with 10/1000 machines running Windows pays the same as a school with 999/1000 machines running Windows. - mithrasinvictus, on 02/25/2009, -0/+3I hope systems administrators get a better education than that.
When switching, personnel will need to be trained but it will still be cheaper if you consider all those microsoft certificates they got before. - latticebug, on 02/25/2009, -0/+3I must say it is not really that easy as what beepthawt described. There are a lot of issues regarding personnel retraining. And maintaining is also an uneasy task. However, after investing in the retraining and laying off all those Micro$oft only system admins, the government can embracing the free world, which is far more important than paying a single money hunger company.
- inc595, on 02/25/2009, -1/+4yay
- koswix, on 02/25/2009, -0/+3What about his not going to have to pay for it?
- LingNoi, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3I wouldn't say it's a trick although I'm sceptical that they'll actually do anything. Sounds more like a PR campaign.
Wake me up when they're actually using it, not when they're saying they'll consider using it if it's cheaper. - melat0nin, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3There is an e-petition over at the Number 10 website mandating the govt to evaluate OSS in public bodies where public money is spent:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Open-Source/
Might not be necessary given these developments, but every little helps. - deepthawt, on 02/25/2009, -7/+10Microsoft are using scare tactics by informing people in education and the government that utilizing open source carries hidden costs in terms of a lot of people are trained in Microsoft-based technologies, so there may be increased costs in re-training to learn how to use open source solutions according to Steve Beswick director of education for Microsoft UK.
What a complete fabrication and bundle of lies.. Heres how easy it is to get to grips with Linux.. Download Ubuntu or CrunchBang Linux, burn it onto CD.. Boot that CD, then Install it through the interactive installation menu.. Go to your nearest bookstore or open the web-browser and start to read the help manual. Yes, mind boggling stuff... I hope the government doesn't listen to people that work for Microsoft.. Do you think Microsoft is going to give you sound advice when your talking about cutting off their money! - marx2k, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2"Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software such as Windows."
What about open source software on the Windows platform? - WaffleJesus, on 02/25/2009, -0/+2at most high schools they use audacity for language classes
- Nintendesert, on 02/25/2009, -1/+3You have never worked with a large user base that are straight retarded. Which means ALL users. They have a hard enough time figuring out Windows and you want them to make the switch to any of the Linux flavors?
The loss in productivity would be enormous and far exceed the savings in buying Microsoft products, which are so discounted when sold to schools and corporations already.
Just hiring a Unix/Linux admin is much more expensive than the cheaper and more widely available Windows admin.
I can deploy my servers with whatever Unix setup or Linux version i want, but on the user portion I need them using Windows. They have a job to do and I don't have time to teach retards the basics, I just want them to work and leave me the ***** alone. - PsychoBrat, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2It's amazing how many people don't understand the costs involved in enterprise software deployments. Usually the cost of the software license itself does not dwarf the other costs -- however, the split can be hard to see, because enterprise licenses for proprietary software are often bundled with support contracts.
- w3ber, on 02/25/2009, -0/+2no
- melat0nin, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2Absolutely, MS licenses for schools are horribly binding:
http://opensourceschools.org.uk/becta-negotiations ...
(British Educational Communications and Technology Agency negotiations with Microsoft regarding licensing of Windows/Office in UK schools) - melat0nin, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2"you can run open-source under windows, but why would you want to"
I'm sitting at work reading this in Firefox running on XP. I imagine that's quite a common scenario. - deepthawt, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2& thats exactly why people like me who understand and can use open source are out of work... I got turned down for a position on a Microsoft help-desk because I dont have a Microsoft certificate. It dosnt matter if I can use open source and understand TCP/IP networking like the back of my hand, as far as they're concerned anyone without a certificate is a thickie!
- ukblacknight, on 02/25/2009, -1/+3"If you've done nothing wrong, there's no reason to worry about any cameras"
So you won't mind me installing this camera in your home and at your workplace watching you 24/7? You aren't doing anything wrong so it shouldn't bother you, right?
Cameras don't prevent anything. What's wrong with putting extra policeman in troublesome areas?
"our government is doing a pretty good job"
They're doing a pretty good job of doing what? Creating a tonne of bureaucracy, telling us what we can and can't do because we can't think for ourselves? You seem to be just another one of the sheep that has no care for the freedoms our country fought so hard for. - inactive, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2Righto old chap!
- oobuntu, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1this is typical labour spin and hot air. the conservative are making an issue out of open source so the current govt are going to steal the idea without implementing it. labour and microsoft are in bed together and no press release will change it at all. mark my words
i'm sure that any open source proposal will get a visit from microsoft to convince the decision makers why the open source solution will cost much more TCO etc. i've seen it all before. all it needs is a bit of MS FUD. - deepthawt, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1Open Source GNU is free as in free beer and free software. The only time you would have to pay is if you modified the source code as under the GNU licence you are required to submit any modifications to the code to the free software foundation, read up on CISCO systems and why they got taken to court over linksys and you'll get the idea. They stole the source off the FSF and got sued because of it.
- blastcube, on 02/27/2009, -0/+1As the support for Windows is free also?
- deepthawt, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1Drive letters!?! dude, their is no drive letters on *nix its mounted under /dev/hda or /dev/sda respectively.
- FredFredrickson, on 02/26/2009, -1/+2No, not at all - for-pay software typically has a support staff on hand to assist you with problems you encounter while using it.
- deepthawt, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1show me the drive letters http://s5.tinypic.com/w1v49c.jpg
- deepthawt, on 02/25/2009, -0/+1I agree..
- deepthawt, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1& here is an excellent example: New Malden Reed Recruitment UK
Job Description
My local client are looking for a high calibre candidate to join their expanding Customer Support team. Candidates must have experience within IT Helpdesk and will also ideally have a degree or equivalent in IT.
The role is very busy and requires someone with a hands on and focussed approach who is happy to work in a highly pressurised environment where prioritisation and personal organisation are paramount. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills and experience in software testing is also essential. My client would consider a graduate with limited experience for this role.
A degree or equivalent in I.T.. for a helpdesk.. are they taking the piss or what!?! - din100, on 02/26/2009, -1/+2this another trick from UK government to get lot of discount to MS product.
- mahadiga, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1This is a good strategy because till now Closed source proponents have been advocating there is NO significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products.
Open source is about transparency and Governments must accommodate and appreciate transparency wherever possible. - XeroXenith, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1"So you won't mind me installing this camera in your home and at your workplace watching you 24/7? You aren't doing anything wrong so it shouldn't bother you, right?"
Though you do make a fair point, it's still kind of apples to oranges. That would be an extremely personal violation of privacy - I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that cameras on the street don't violate anyone's privacy at all. Anything you do outside that cameras see is exactly what anyone else could see; as if the camera was just another person on the street. A camera in your home, spying on YOU, would be completely different.
But that's just my opinion. I'm happy believing what I believe, even if it might be the blue pill... =P - HiVoltRock, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1This is a fantastic notion from the financial standpoint. I propose that upon giving thought to existing, solid open source software, give one million pounds toward its development when it's decided to be used. That would still save (using this article's figure) 599 million pounds, AND pump revenue into the open source market, allowing for an even better product for the governments! Unfortunately, it's wishful thinking...
- dwalker, on 10/19/2009, -0/+1Can we now do a u-turn on the government deal with microsoft so they DO NOT provide our councils with their bloatware?
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