Dump Microsoft, Use Linux to Save Money, U.K. Officials Suggest

Re:Dump Microsoft, Use Linux to Save Money, U.K. Officials S... by rbanffy on Saturday July 10, 2010 @10:21PM (#1504778)

The other 90% of these initiatives, on the other hand, are genuine attempts to reduce costs with the added benefit of breaking vendor lock-in and thus reducing costs down the line while increasing decision autonomy.

I have no idea who suggested it, but, if I were a UK citizen, I would prefer the money that comes from my taxes to be diverted to companies that create more jobs in the UK than they create in Redmond, or Bangalore.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dump Microsoft, Use Linux to Save Money, U.K. Officials S... by robryan on Sunday July 11, 2010 @12:36AM (#1504961)

That's the issue that many countries deal with, do you purchase a sub standard product from a local vendor to keep money in the local economy or do you go for the most effective product anywhere.

The big problem for them will be that it's fine to give all these people OpenOffice but they have the extra effort of also saving it into an Office format most times they have to interact with people outside there business. Then there could be translation problems.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dump Microsoft, Use Linux to Save Money, U.K. Officials S... by rbanffy on Sunday July 11, 2010 @03:06PM (#1505956)

In this specific case, it's the choice between the most effective product and the one with biggest marketing budget.

Also, in this case, companies wishing to do business with the government should adhere to government norms. If the government dictates OOo-compatible file formats, then OOo-compatible it will be.

[ Parent | on HN ]